Bournemouth University students benefit from the university’s partnership with local football club in a number of ways, from work placement opportunities to community projects.

But another big benefit of the partnership is the high-level coaching that BU’s men’s and women’s football teams receive from AFC Bournemouth coaches.

Steve Cuss, Head of AFC Bournemouth’s Community Sports Trust, coaches and manages BU’s varsity teams, bringing with him a wealth of experience as he also coaches local club Wimborne Town FC.

AFC Bournemouth has been coaching the men’s side for two years, and the women’s team for one year. This season the Men’s 1st and 3rd teams won their respective leagues, with the 1st team reaching the BUCS National Trophy Final. The women’s team won their league, gaining promoting, and also made the Conference Cup Final.

Steve Cuss said, “It has been a privilege to work with BU’s football teams this year, and I’m really proud of their successes. We are all looking forward to next season now, where I hope we will continue to bring success!

“It has been great to work with Bournemouth University as a part of the partnership, not just on the footballing side but also with the community work we are doing, and I’m really looking forward to continuing this in the future too.”

It is not only the university’s football teams that have achieved success this season, with AFC Bournemouth also celebrating their promotion to the Premier League as champions of the Championship.

Barry Squires, Sports Operations Manager at sportBU, said, “With the support of AFC Bournemouth’s excellent coaching staff, Bournemouth University football club has flourished with numerous cup and league successes. In the past couple of years they have established themselves in the top tiers of British University football and look forward to continuing this run of success into the future, as well as joining forces on a number of community projects.

“Our congratulations also go to AFC Bournemouth on their amazing success this season; we’re really looking forward to seeing them in the Premier League. It is amazing to see what this success has done to the town, with the number of people [60,000] out to show their support at the parade last weekend. Next season will be a good one for both BU’s football teams and the Cherries I’m sure.”

Men’s 1st team captain Franklyn Clarke, who studies Sports Psychology and Coaching at BU, also plays for Steve Cuss’ Wimborne Town team and women’s captain Chloe Tape has just secured a year-long placement at AFC Bournemouth where she will be working as Project Co-Ordinator for the Community Sports Trust.

Chloe will be responsible for two projects, looking at working with girls aged 14+ to get them participating in sport, as well as with local schools.

Originally published on BU news