Cranfield offers funding for Sports Surface Technology MSC

Cranfield offers funding for Sports Surface Technology MSC

Press Release

The need for a scientific approach to maintaining and constructing natural and artificial sports surfaces has never been greater. To cope with this, a new breed of sports surface manager is needed - someone with outstanding scientific and technical skills and just the type of graduate Cranfield University is best at producing.

Cranfield is offering employers in the sports arena 'match-for-match funding' to encourage them to give their grounds managers the opportunity to attend the well-established Sports Surface Technology MSc degree course on a part-time basis.

Course Director Alex Vickers said: "The Sports Surface MSc is the only one of its kind in Europe, and attracts students from all kinds of sports surface backgrounds.

"Recent research has highlighted the need for us to encourage employers to invest in their staff and, therefore, the future of their facilities. We hope this initiative will break down some of the barriers faced by grounds staff and course managers when trying to get sponsorship from their employers."

He continued: "The course certainly benefits employers; not only will their managers gain new practical and technical skills but all students undertake an extensive research project at their place of work as part of the degree."

The 'match-for-match' funding means employers do not have to pay half the fee for the first year - a saving of £1000.

It is also envisaged that employers will be offered a half-day workshop giving them the opportunity to find out more about the work being undertaken by the students and the Cranfield Centre for Sports Surfaces. Ends

The initiative is open to all sports industries. Applications will be accepted for students to enrol on the course up until 31 January 2005.

The Sports Surface Technology MSc, taught by leading industry professionals, is supported by professional bodies including the Football Foundation, The England and Wales Cricket Board, The Institute of Groundmanship, The British & International Golf Greenkeepers Association (BIGGA) and the Federation of European Golf Greenkeepers Associations (FEGGA).

"This match-for-match' funding offer is only available to new enrolments on the MSc programme.'

For more information about the Sports Surface Technology MSc, please visit: www.silsoe.cranfield.ac.uk/ccss/

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