Loughborough University partners with Derby County FC to benefit students

LOUGHBOROUGH University has announced it has entered into a partnership with Derby County FC that will help create a great opportunities for students across campus and will develop University football.

Leading the way, the partnership will see Derby County offer a number of internships to Loughborough University students, in a broad range of fields including coaching, strength & conditioning and performance analysis. The university prides itself on the quality and breadth of placement opportunities it is able to offer its students, with this latest agreement further bolstering the sporting offer.

On the field of play, the agreement will see Loughborough’s first team squad take part in joint training sessions with Derby’s U23s, a fantastic development opportunity for both players and coaches. Furthermore, Derby County will offer two coach education sessions per season, to further enhance the football provision on campus.

The partnership will also see Derby County U23s play at least 12 fixtures a year at the Loughborough University Stadium over the next three seasons, which will allow students to watch more high quality football on campus.

Of the agreement, Loughborough University’s Director of Football Richard Allen said: “Our relationship with Derby County will offer a number of great student experiences, both on campus and beyond, and is something we’re very excited about. Having the opportunity for us to host PL2 games at our stadium is very exciting for us, giving our students a chance to watch up and coming talent from across the country.

“For the football programme it will be good to have the chance to play games against a top Category 1 Academy and have the opportunity to train at Moor Farm, but the wrap around benefits for Loughborough student coaches is equally positive.”

A Derby County spokesperson added: “We are pleased to be linking up with Loughborough University to stage the vast majority of Derby County Under-23s’ home games this season and we look forward to working with the team at Loughborough.”