New partnership with Utilita Bowl and Hampshire Cricket

United by their shared values, and a pursuit of sporting excellence, Solent University and Utilita Bowl have worked collaboratively for a number of years, brought together by a common goal of supporting communities’ access to cricket, as well as a passion for building healthier, active and culturally cohesive communities.

“This formal partnership agreement is borne out of a mutual desire for both organisations to continue to deliver effective activity and evaluate the impact of their work together, enabling both partners to pool resources and maximise opportunities for all,” says Dr Dominic Cunliffe, Southampton Solent University’s Head of Department, Sport and Health.

Tom James, Head of Sales & Commercial Partnerships at Utilta Bowl adds, “This partnership is built on many years of positive collaborative working and to now align our commitment to local communities and utilise the strengths of both our organisations is extremely exciting.”

As part of the new collaboration, Solent graduate, Lewis Parker has been given the opportunity to carry out a year-long Master’s by Research (MRes), in collaboration with Hampshire Cricket. Working alongside their coaching team, Lewis will be helping to develop the players by working with them, analysing data, and undertaking a research project that will help develop the club’s coaching and training methods.

Lewis, who has just finished his undergraduate degree, including a year’s placement with Southampton Football Club, says, “I’m really looking forward to working with Hampshire Cricket. Having experiences in another sport, and the opportunity to gain a MRes, will give me the best chance of carving out a top career in elite sport.”

Both organisations will benefit from this exciting new partnership in a number of ways, including:

• Access to Solent Universities state-of-the-art sport and exercise science facilities and expert staff for the Men’s and Vipers teams testing throughout the year.
• Guest lectures from Utilita Bowl staff for Solent students across a number of course areas.
• Advertising of placements, work and volunteer opportunities at Utilita Bowl at the University.
• Exclusive event and ticket promotions throughout the year for Solent University students and staff
• An exploration and development of apprenticeship provision by Solent University for Utilita Bowl support staff
• Access to specialist facilities at Utilita Bowl for Solent University’s cricket team.

The University recently welcomed Hampshire Cricket onto campus for their post season testing assessment. Under the supervision of the University’s expert staff, the Men’s and Vipers teams were put through their paces by students from the Sport and Exercise Science and Sport and Exercise Therapy courses.

Dr Lee Bridgeman, Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science says, “To be given the opportunity to use the skills and knowledge that they have learnt in the classroom on elite athletes, as well as being able to practice the soft skills they will need to be a successful sport scientist in a professional club setting is invaluable to our students.”

If you would like to find out more about how we can help, advise and collaborate with businesses and organisations visit our website at https://www.solent.ac.uk/work-with-us/business-services/business-solutions.