Collaboration with AFC Liverpool

Liverpool Hope’s Health Science Department has agreed a collaboration with AFC Liverpool to support the football club, whilst also assisting with staff research and student placements and projects.

Initially in the new term, academics will take part in offering some fitness training for senior squad players, a research project will be developed in the sociological aspects of AFC in comparison to LFC and one of the academics will be working with students on match analysis aimed at enhancing coaching strategies and indicating areas of improvement.

Carol Buckman, Business Gateway Manager for Liverpool Hope University, stated “We hope this is the start of a much greater, long-term partnership between the Football Club and the University and we look forward to working together going forward”

Gary Beggs, Business Development Manager for AFC Liverpool (also a graduate of LHU), added “I am proud to be a graduate of Liverpool Hope University and I am excited about this new collaboration. The benefits of this collaboration will be mutual, with students getting access to valuable work experience within the football club and the football club will be gaining valuable support in making this club more professional by improving existing strategies and plans.

“With over 1 million 16-24 year olds currently unemployed in the UK, it is vital for those students to gain valuable work experience and we are delighted we can offer that experience for the students.

“We are a young club and are growing year on year, we will be moving to our own stadium and turning professional at some point in the future and as this collaboration is a long term one, Liverpool Hope University will be supporting us on that journey over the coming years.

“Not many students will have had the opportunity to work with a football club in its infancy as most clubs are fully established, so this is a unique opportunity for all!”