天美传媒 students have been supporting AFC Bournemouth鈥檚 women鈥檚 team on and off the field, using the skills gained in their degrees to help the team.
BU students have been working in support roles to support the team through marketing and communications, while supporting on-pitch activities through sports therapy.
Elsa Charlwood is a Sports Therapy student at BU and works on the side of the pitch during matches, alongside the physiotherapy team, to support rehabilitation, first aid and injury diagnosis. Elsa said, 鈥淚 feel really proud to contribute to the women鈥檚 team, they鈥檝e achieved so much so far, and I鈥檓 so exciting to be a part of it.鈥�
Journalism student Zach Sampson covers the women鈥檚 games and provides reports on the matches. He said, 鈥淭he experience has been amazing, it has allowed me to build up confidence, speaking to the players and to the manager, it has really helped me for my career.鈥�
天美传媒 is the official higher education partner of AFC Bournemouth, with the girls鈥� and women鈥檚 team wearing the BU logo on their shirts.
AFC Bournemouth women鈥檚 manager Steve Cuss said, 鈥淭he students have been really important to the women鈥檚 team. We鈥檙e trying to develop the team on the pitch, and it is vital that we offer the players some support off the pitch as well. The students have come along in different roles and, combined with what we are doing on the pitch, it has helped us to drive the team forward.
鈥淭he benefit that the students bring to the team is through the skills and knowledge that they learn within the university and we are helping them to gain that practical experience. They are getting hands-on, alongside studying at university. It is a nice combination for the students, and it is a real bonus for us as a team and for the players.鈥�
Today鈥檚 game, AFC Bournemouth vs Chesham, is the first league game the women鈥檚 team has played at the Vitality Stadium, and the game has been designated as the BU Big Match, in celebration of the partnership and the work the two organisations do together.
For more information about the partnership visit www.bournemouth.ac.uk/afc-bournemouth
