Swansea City Academy announce Swansea University partnership

Swansea City Academy has announced a three-year partnership and sponsorship deal with Swansea University.
The deal comes after a flourishing relationship that has seen the club and university building links over the past year.
Academy manager Nigel Rees, said: "The academy has been working in partnership with Swansea University since the beginning of the season.
"Our partnership with the university has steadily grown throughout the year and I am extremely pleased the university and the academy have entered into a formal agreement.
"Both organisations are integral parts of the Swansea community and it makes perfect sense for both parties to work together.
"This partnership will offer unique and exclusive opportunities to students in the world of professional football, football management and supporting areas."
The deal will see Swansea University become the shirt sponsor for the Academy's Under-9s to Under-16s age groups, but the partnership will extend far beyond the kit.
Aiming to enhance the already established partnership, the sponsorship will build on the year-long, symbiotic relationship between the two organisations.
The past season has not only seen the university utilise academy coaches within their men's and women's setup, but also witnessed the academy access a wealth of knowledge and research from the university's elite and professional sport research group - who are part of the Applied Sport Technology Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) Research Centre - on topics such as long term athletic development, nutritional strategies and enhancing parental involvement in sport.
In addition, the academy has been able to use the university's state-of-the-art facilities and equipment at the newly establish Bay Campus.
Through this sharing of knowledge and resources, the academy will be provided with in-depth insights into the development of their elite youth footballers and identify optimal pathways for player progression.
This will put the academy on a par with the likes of Franch giants Paris St Germain and Italian side AC Milan, who publish large volumes of research papers and are effective at producing top-level footballers.
As a result, it will allow the club to enhance the development of its home grown pool of talent.
Additionally, the club will also be able to offer the university's students placement opportunities and provide them with a wealth of professional experience in the sports science industry.
Raymond Ciborowski, Swansea University's registrar and chief operating officer, added: "Swansea University is delighted to enter this partnership with the Academy, which looks to strengthen the already close relationship between ourselves and Swansea City.
"The university and the club are amongst the most significant and successful international organisations within Wales and the region.
"By working with the academy we will be able to support the development of current and future sportsmen and women, from both the local community and our student population."

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