Loughborough University London joins forces with Chelsea Football Club
Loughborough University London and Chelsea Football Club are delighted to have formed a three-year strategic partnership that will see the two organisations work together on research, internships, player aftercare and engagement activities.
As well as undertaking collaborative research projects, Loughborough University London's Institute for Sport Business will also establish a structured learning programme for both former Chelsea Academy players transitioning away from the professional game as part of the aftercare programme, and for players to undertake short courses and university study.
Professor James Skinner, Director of the Institute and the Associate Dean for Enterprise at Loughborough University London, said: “Loughborough, as the number one university for sport in the world, is delighted to be entering into this partnership with Chelsea Football Club, one of the most recognised and respected football clubs globally."
“Having a strategic partnership with a Premier League football club of the calibre of Chelsea allows us to work collaboratively on innovative research projects and provide unique learning opportunities for our students and Chelsea players. I look forward to developing the partnership over the next three years.”
Neil Bath, Head of Youth Development at Chelsea said: “We are excited to be working closely with Loughborough, utilising their research and academic expertise to help evolve our current youth development programme, as well as support the on-going education of our Academy players and the post-football careers of those moving out of the game."
The Institute for Sport Business
Led by Professor James Skinner, The Institute for Sport Business combines exceptional teaching with inspiring research, and maintains close partnerships with a wide range of sports leaders and organisations. To find out more, see our Institute for Sport Business pages.
View the press release on the Loughborough University website for further information and resources.
Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2020 QS World University Rankings and top in the country for its student experience in the 2018 THE Student Experience Survey.
Loughborough is in the top 10 of every national league table, being ranked 4th in the Guardian University League Table 2020, 5th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2020 and 8th in The UK Complete University Guide 2020.
Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’ and is in the top 10 in England for research intensity. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
Specialising exclusively in postgraduate-level study, Loughborough University London is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers cutting-edge master’s and PhD degrees, as well as business collaboration, research and enterprise opportunities.
The seven specialist institutes at Loughborough University London include: Design Innovation, Digital Technologies, Diplomacy and International Governance, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, International Management, Media and Creative Industries, and Sport Business. Close industry partnerships with a wealth of leading businesses and creative organisations means teaching and learning is informed by real-life challenges and driven by true industry pressures.