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AFC Bournemouth Shows Off Gateway To Partnership Success

Bournemouth University’s stunning new £27 million Poole Gateway Building has been shown off to the region’s business community.

 

The brand new state-of-the-art facility played host to the latest breakfast networking meeting staged by AFC Business, the commercial arm of Premier League football club AFC Bournemouth.

 

University Chief Operating Officer Jim Andrews and AFC Bournemouth Commercial Director Rob Mitchell, an alumnus of the university, took part in a Q&A session as they explained the partnership working between the two organisations.

 

The association began back in 2008 when students began to volunteer at the then cash-strapped League 2 club, with the partnership being made official in 2012 and now involves a close relationship.

 

AFC Bournemouth’s Rob, said: “We are able to give real life work experience to a great many students, who join our physiotherapy, sports science, analysis and coaching teams across all our squads and have access to expertise and facilities.

 

“It really does work for both sides. There is a huge range of work going on. As a Premier League football club we have a responsibility, as well as brand power, to engage with our community.

 

“We currently connect with 4,000 people each week on our outreach programme – and this also allows us to build our fanbase at a time when the size of our stadium precludes many from attending matches.”

 

Jim added: “We work closely with AFC Bournemouth to the mutual benefit of two leading organisations.”

 

Image: WORKING TOGETHER: AFC Bournemouth Commercial Director Rob Mitchell, left, with Bournemouth University Chief Operating Officer Jim Andrews at the AFC Business breakfast networking event held at Bournemouth University.