Plymouth University and Plymouth Raiders aim to hit new heights with major partnership
Plymouth University has entered into a major new partnership with the South West’s premier basketball team, the Plymouth Raiders.
The three-year agreement will see the team named the Plymouth University Raiders as they compete in the UK’s premier competition, the British Basketball League.
The partnership will heighten the national profile of both organisations, opening up a range of opportunities for University staff and students, the Raiders’ squad and organisation, and schools and community groups across the Plymouth area.
Professor Wendy Purcell, Vice-Chancellor of Plymouth University, said: “This exciting new partnership sees the teaming up of two like-minded organisations aspiring for further success at a national and international level.
"Sporting excellence has the power to inspire, and we are confident this partnership will do just that, both for our staff and students, and the wider community. It also reinforces our commitment to our home city, and will generate genuine impact in Plymouth and across the wider region.”
As part of the partnership, the University says there will be a range of opportunities for staff and students on courses from the arts and business, to health professions and sciences.
The two organisations will also be working together on educational and community outreach projects, including the Raiders’ existing Hoops for Health programme and Numeracy and Literacy Scheme.
The partnership will also see mentoring and coaching schemes made available for the University basketball teams, with the men’s team having just won the 2012/13 BUCS Western Conference Cup and the ladies team having reached their own final.
The Raiders have themselves recently completed a successful 2012/13 season, in which they finished sixth in the British Basketball League and narrowly missed out on a place in the finals of the BBL CUP.
Bob Widdecombe, Chairman of the Plymouth University Raiders, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the partnership between ourselves and Plymouth University.
"The agreement will see both parties benefit enormously, and we will be proud to take the University’s name and identity to all corners of the UK during the BBL season.
"The Raiders are one of the South West’s most successful professional sports teams, and are Plymouth’s only professional premier league team. With the full commitment from both parties, the partnership is set to go from strength to strength over the coming years.”
The parrnership brings to an end the deal with previous title sponsors, the University of St Mark & St John (Marjon).
