The partnership between Bournemouth University and AFC Bournemouth was celebrated during a special BU Big Match.
The AFC Bournemouth women’s game vs Bristol Rovers took place at the Vitality Stadium, where a record crowd of over 7,000 fans saw the Cherries claim a 2-0 victory and clinch promotion as Champions from the FA Women’s National League Division One South West.
BU student Jenna Markham opened the scoring, with Katie James doubling the lead; fans stayed to watch the team lift the trophy after the final whistle. The team will now compete at the third tier of women’s football next season.
BU is the official higher education partner of AFC Bournemouth, and the principal partner of the women’s and girls’ teams, with the BU logo appearing on the front of the women’s team matchday shirts. The partnership, now in its 13th season, is celebrated each year through the BU Big Match – one game in the men’s and women’s fixture calendar where partnership promotion activity takes place.
This year, over 100 students took part in activities around the match, with students delivering social media content, working as journalists in the media centre, and enhancing the supporter experience through pre-match activations. CoachBU delivered an activity zone for young fans, while BU’s Schools Liaison Team provided activities for young people too.
BU’s Cheerleading team, the BU Falcons, cheered the teams onto the pitch at the start of the game, while BU’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Alison Honour was guest in the boardroom alongside Professor Niamh Downing, Dr Susan Dewhurst and Dr Parisa Gilani.
Speaking after the match, Professor Alison Honour, Vice-Chancellor of Bournemouth University, said, “It was wonderful to be present for the title celebrations, and to celebrate the achievements of our partners. We’re so delighted for the team, and the hard work and dedication they have put in across the season to achieve promotion.
“I was also pleased to see so many students supporting the event, whether it was our sports therapists working with the women’s team, the sports journalist in the press box, the cheerleaders performing in front of 7,000 fans, or teams supporting the event with pre-match activity, I was proud to see our university supporting this occasion, and proud to see the students working hard and getting valuable experiences.”
David Brine, a Lecturer in Journalism, supported students in delivering content at the match and said, "It was a pleasure to watch our students in action in a professional environment. This was an amazing opportunity, to be part of something special with our partners at AFC Bournemouth, and they impressed everyone with their skills and attitude. There is no doubt this will play a huge part in their development as sports journalists and provide great memories. From their thoughtful and probing questions in the press conferences to their demeanour in the press box and around the stadium, I was so proud of them."
Jacob Deighton, alongside fellow Sports Journalism students Cameron Donaldson and Joe Mason managed BU’s social media channels on the day, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at the matchday. Jacob said, “It was an all-round top experience, from going into the boardroom to filming the trophy presentation on the pitch. It was such an amazing opportunity, and we managed to capture a variety of content which received good feedback from fans.”
Cameron Donaldson continued, “Everyone at the University and at AFC Bournemouth was so accommodating and welcoming to allow us that extra access. The day was a very memorable one and to able to provide the content for the University social media as well as film celebrations on the pitch in front of 7,000 people was a privilege.”
The partnership between BU and AFC Bournemouth has already been confirmed for its 14th season next year, for more information about the partnership, visit www.bournemouth.ac.uk/afc-bournemouth.
