Wigan Warriors Rugby League Club has secured a two year sponsorship deal with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) for the 2009 and 2010 Super League seasons.
The partnership will see the Warriors benefit with video analysis support from UCLan, a number of university degree places for its Accelerate Squad players and staff as well as fitness testing support for all Wigan’s squads from Scholarship through to First Team. The Club will also be able to utilise the University’s extensive marketing and communication channels to promote Wigan Warriors in the Preston area.
In return UCLan will become the ‘Official University of Wigan Warriors’, have their logo displayed on the back of the Reserve and Academy playing kits and benefit from the promotional support of the club. Students from UCLan will also gain experience from working with a professional sports club.
Commenting on the new partnership,Wigan Warriors Chief Executive, Mick Hogan said,
“The benefits to the Club from this new agreement will be significant. UCLan have considerable experience in working with professional sports teams in the area of video analysis. As a Club we will now have access to the very best analysis software available as well as a level of staff support that is second to none.
“The fitness testing and assistance with higher education places will mean we are able to continually improve the level of support we can offer our young players. We look forward to a long and productive partnership with UCLan.”
Dr Adrian Ibbetson, UCLan’s Academic Director of Sport said,
“We are proud to become Wigan Warriors Official University and look forward to welcoming the Accelerate squad to our Preston campus.
“The players will have access our elite standard sports facilities together with world-leading sports science research expertise.
“The University already has one of the best graduate employment records in the UK and by working alongside our research staff and the Accelerate squad, we believe our students will gain unique work experience opportunities to help set them apart in the graduate workplace.”
