High-flying Bournville Rugby wear UCB logo on shirts in major Avery Fields deal

Rugby union side Bournville RFC will proudly display University College Birmingham on their shirts this season as part of a major continuing partnership between the club and UCB.

The long-term deal allows UCB students and staff to use the club's impressive Avery Fields sports complex in Edgbaston, including a state-of-the-art all-weather pitch and two grass pitches.

The £3m centre in Sandon Road, which is also used by Premiership side Worcester Warriors for their development squad, also features a clubhouse with a physio suite, function room and modern changing facilities.

Fifth tier side Bournville, who will carry the UCB logo on their kit throughout the 2019/20 season, are currently top of the Midlands Premier and are in scorching form after winning all of their opening eight league matches of the campaign.

And Bourns' ongoing partnership with the University promises to bring more success and benefits for both sides, with current and former UCB students working at the club both on and off the pitch – including loosehead prop James Burgoyne, a BA Sport and Fitness Studies graduate.

“This partnership is really good as UCB can make use of a great pitch and changing rooms to give students an insight into team sports and conditioning methods to help them develop as coaches,” said James.

“It also gives the club a source of funding and allows for good use of the facilities beyond just training and match days.

“The team have definitely benefited from having UCB support the club this year. So far we are undefeated and we have a really good squad.”

A number of students have undertaken placements with Bournville, while the UCB rugby team has received coaching from Bourns First XV Head Coach Mitch McGahan.

The deal has also provided a wide range of additional practical learning opportunities for those on UCB's sports courses, including providing experience of pitchside sports therapy as well as performance analysis for strength and conditioning.

In addition, Avery Fields has served as a base for the University to deliver the FA Level 1 Award in Coaching Football, hosting a series of workshops for students on a range of courses.

Elaine Limond, Assistant Dean of the School of Sport and Creative Services at UCB, said: “The partnership with Bournville Rugby and Avery Fields Events is full of fantastic opportunities for our students and staff.

“We look forward to progressing with the early work that has gone in as we continue to develop the relationship further, supporting a range of projects from local community coaching to working with elite players.”

Avery Fields forms part of UCB's range of outstanding facilities for students on our sports courses. The University also has a dedicated Human Performance Laboratory and sports injury and massage clinics, while our new Moss House campus will include a cutting edge gym and a 35m indoor running track for assessing speed and performance.

Find out more about our range of courses at UCB's School of Sport and Creative Services here. You can also follow the latest updates from the school on Twitter and Instagram.

Discover more about the facilities available to our students at Avery Fields in our video below: