Sports students to benefit from state-of-the-art facilities in deal with Birmingham rugby club

A major new partnership has been agreed that will allow UCB sports students to use a state-of-the-art all-weather pitch and a physio suite on the edge of the city centre.

The University has struck the deal with the Avery Fields Trust and Bournville RFC and it will see them have use of the impressive £3m Avery Fields development on Sandon Road, which is also used by Premiership giants Worcester Warriors for their development squad.

In addition to the brand new all-weather pitch, the 15-acre site in Edgbaston also benefits from two grass pitches and an impressive clubhouse, which includes a function room, modern changing facilities and the physio suite, not to mention a hub for the community.

Students on the University’s sports courses have started using Avery Fields and there are already some exciting link-ups with the rugby club, one of the leading sides in the West Midlands, with Bournville’s coaches helping to put the UCB rugby team through its paces, while students have the chance to develop their skills and experience through various placements and opportunities.

Elaine Limond, Assistant Dean of the School of Sport and Creative Services, explained the partnership was a massive boost for the University.

She said: “I have been at UCB for 13 years and during that time, we have always been looking to continually improve our facilities. To have this pretty much on our doorstep is a wonderful, brand new resource for our students.

“There are a lot of universities locally that will be hard pressed to come up with something as good or as new as this. It is a great facility with a superb clubhouse and, because of the partnership, this is our home.

“We have sports therapy and strength and conditioning students already linked up with the rugby club and it is a relationship that will grow. It is endless what we can do because there are also opportunities for students from hospitality, catering and events. We are known for hosting events and to have another venue gives us a different angle on things.”

Bournville director Rob Sigley admitted that the partnership had already had an effect at Avery Fields, bringing the site to life during the day.

“These facilities are some of the best in Birmingham and deserve to be used day in, day out,” he said. “This link with UCB is a perfect arrangement and everyone at Bournville RFC is looking forward to seeing the relationship develop and grow.”  

The partnership between UCB and the rugby club will also allow players to use the extensive strength and conditioning facilities available when the University’s new Moss House site opens in 2019, working with students on the sports courses.

Find out more about UCB’s college and degree level sports courses.