Class of ‘92 expands... to a university
EX-UNITED STARS LAUNCH NEW CAMPUS NEAR OLD TRAFFORD
GARY Neville and fellow United aces have launched a new project... a university. It will offer sport, media and business courses and be located near Old Trafford.
University Academy 92 is the brainchild of Neville and fellow Reds Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and his brother Phil Neville.
The proposal is to build it on the old Kellogg’s site in Stretford. It will be a branch of Lancaster University and is due to open in September 2019 on Talbot Road.
It means both United and City could have rival sports campuses spring up next to their grounds over the next few years.
The ex-United stars have joined up with Trafford council, development giants Bruntwood, Trafford College and Microsoft for the venture which they say is a ‘new higher education concept.’ They intend it to be the first in the country offering sports, media and business courses, including internships at Microsoft and other firms.
Neville said he had ‘always believed that success is down to more than just having talent and good luck,’ adding: “There should be no limits to what you can achieve with the right preparation.
“Our aim is that UA92 graduates would leave with an academic qualification, of course, but also with a range of other skills such as how to deal with pressure, understand finance, leadership and presentational skills, and also how to maintain a healthy body and mind – the complete package you need to succeed in the workplace.”
Trafford town hall has borrowed around £12m to buy up the former Kellogg’s base for the project – ahead of the firm moving to MediaCity next year – and will effectively be landlord to the university campus.
A new leisure centre will be built on the site and the existing Stretford sports centre closed and sold off. It will also lead to new sports pitches on green space at Turn Moss, around a mile away.
Neville said the university will have a strong ‘widening participation’ programme to recruit more disadvantaged students.
He added: “It will focus on providing students with ten attributes: academic learning, life skills, work experience, how to survive in demanding workplace situations, leadership skills, peer group analysis, participative learning, fitness, and presentation and financial skills,” he added.
The new campus also has the backing of both United and nearby Lancashire County Cricket Club.
It means both United and City will have their own linked sports universities, as plans are also being drawn up for a rival Manchester Metropolitan University-backed campus at the Etihad.
The M.E.N. understands Manchester and Salford councils were also approached to consider the proposals, but Trafford was first to the table.
Trafford council leader Sean Anstee said it would attract 6,500 students into the borough. He added: “Trafford already has some of the best performing schools in the country, as well as a rich and successful history of sport and business, so it is an ideal home for this new and exciting education initiative.”
Former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson added: “I want to wish Gary, Nicky, Ryan, Paul and Phil good luck as they embark on a commendable project that demonstrates their commitment to giving something back to the community that played such a formative role in their lives.”