The University of Nottingham is set to further strengthen its para and inclusive sport offerings, thanks to the launch of a partnership with leading Midland's construction firm, GF Tomlinson.
This long-term collaboration will enable the growth and development of the university's para and inclusive sport offers. This forms a key step in the university's overarching vision to be the sector leader in ensuring equity of opportunity for the whole of the university's community.
This new partnership will enable a range of initiatives to be implemented including increased Para athlete recruitment; growth of the BUCS Championship winning Wheelchair Basketball team; increased numbers of students accessing the disability sport and fitness membership; and wider support to help the University Sports clubs grow their inclusive sport offer.
GF Tomlinson have a long history working with the university, designing and building key facilities across its award-winning campuses. GF Tomlinson incorporate the latest inclusive design practices, and this partnership showcases the firm's commitment to delivering life-changing social value within their projects.
The university's para-athletes and teams will work closely with GF Tomlinson to help drive new standards for inclusive design and build in the sector. Through consultation, training and experiential events this will further enhance GF Tomlinson's status as one of the leading organisations for inclusive design and build.
Students will further benefit from this partnership with new year in industry placements and degree apprenticeship pathways being created with GF Tomlinson.
We want to be known as the sector leader for Para and inclusive sport. This new partnership is an exciting part of our journey to achieve this vision. Para sport has the ability to truly change lives and GF Tomlinson's support to enable this strategy showcases their value led approach in all that they do
She added: "This is a sector-defining moment and one which will become the catalyst for an even more inclusive environment on our campuses and across the sector. It is a true showcase of how our partners can work with us to create a global leading vision and impact."
Andy Sewards, Chairman, GF Tomlinson said: "We are thrilled to be working with the university to further develop our expertise in inclusive design and build. The synergy we share is incredible, and we are proud to help develop a more inclusive campus environment alongside supporting the university community to thrive. "
I have been incredibly inspired by the athletes I have met and the ambition of the university. I am so excited to see where this journey takes us all and we can't wait to see Nottingham's para-athletes competing on the world stage and more people than ever involved in the university's sport programmes.
Professor Katherine Linehan, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Education and Student Experience, University of Nottingham, added: "This new partnership with GF Tomlinson's is ground-breaking. It allows us to work together to further drive new inclusive standards in both the construction and higher education sectors."
This collaboration facilitates the university's commitment to become an organisation that is truly inclusive by design. It allows us to build on the strong foundation the inclusive sport team at the university have established to ensure that both recreational and professional sports opportunities are open to our whole community.
