University of Chichester to team up with Fulham FC

Sports students at the university will be able to take advantage of various placement opportunities at the club

The University of Chichester has announced it is joining forces with Fulham Football Club to allow the two organisations to share knowledge, skills and ideas.

The collaboration will allow the club to benefit from the latest research into sports performance, physiology, nutrition, while sports students at the West Sussex university can take advantage of various placement opportunities.

Chichester's vice-chancellor Prof Symeon Dagkas recently visited the Craven Cottage grounds to celebrate the partnership.

"We are passionate about empowering athletes and coaches to fulfil their potential, whilst also furthering understanding around sport and performance," he said.

Having met Patrick Oxenham, Fulham's academy insights manager, Prof Dagkas added the university was "thrilled to be providing access to our world-leading facilities, cutting-edge research centres and career development programmes".

While the football club can benefit from the latest research, the university's researchers will be able to "gather real-world data and results that will lead to new insights, helping inspire and support young footballers for generations to come".

Mike Lauder, professor of sports biomechanics and executive dean of the faculty of health, science and engineering, added: "We pride ourselves on the application of theory to practice.

"Working with Fulham Football Club will allow both parties to learn from each other to enable better outcomes for players, coaches, backroom staff and our students.

"We very much look forward to sharing knowledge, skills and ideas to build a better performance environment and outcomes."