Hartpury Sports Business Hub receives share of funding to boost grassroots sports in Gloucester

Gloucester City Council has secured funding for Hartpury Sports Business Hub.

Through the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the council has received £116,132 for the university. The Gloucestershire-based university will use its share of the funding to increase the impact made by its sports degree student volunteers working in sports clubs, leisure centres, playing fields, and community centres in Gloucester.

The scheme will see Hartpury further expand its package of business support to up-skill and boost the employability of volunteers and community sport makers in Gloucester-based clubs.

Michael Green and Alex Kay from Hartpury University’s Department of Sport, commented: “The funding creates a fantastic opportunity for the Hartpury Sports Business Hub to continue its work supporting local sports clubs and organisations. These clubs and community centres are often the heartbeat of local communities and we hope with this additional support they can deliver even greater impact. The benefit of this project also extends to our students who will gain ‘real world’ practical experience aligned with curriculum content – helping enhance their knowledge and understanding of the UK sports industry.”

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Stuart Emmerson, director of business development at Hartpury said: “Sport builds stronger communities. By investing in local people with a passion for sport, developing new skills for employment and promoting the health benefits that sport brings – our Sports Business Hub will no doubt deliver a much wider social impact.”

The Hartpury Sports Business Hub currently provides access to a range of organisations including Active Gloucester, Sport Wales, Bream RFC and Gloucestershire County Cricket Club as well as multinational corporations and independent businesses.