News
Monday 26 November 2007
Overseas opportunity for Sports Science and Management students
Sports Science and Management students at Nottingham Trent University have just returned home after being invited to help shape leisure services provision in an area in southern Poland. A group travelled to Myszkow to complete and present a tourist development strategy for the area to senior council representatives.
The students, from the University’s School of Science and Technology, spent a week in Myszkow as part of the consultancy project, looking at a range of issues from strategic planning to marketing skills. They focused their attention on the development of a tourist information centre and tourist trails and routes which include a cycle trail and town tour.
A written report and presentation was given to council leaders who will now consider the students’ recommendations.
The initiative follows the success of ongoing projects by Sports Management students, which have included evaluating the leisure services provision delivered by Broxtowe Borough Council in Nottinghamshire. Students gave presentations and produced written strategic reports on various leisure facilities, recommending changes and how best to implement them.
Broxtowe Borough Council has a formal Friendship and Cooperation Agreement with Myskzow and has worked with the university in developing this new and exciting link.
A civic delegation from Broxtowe Borough Council was also in Poland and attended the presentation of the students’ findings as well as a formal reception dinner to celebrate both the project and the visit by the civic party.
A group from Myskzow has already visited Nottingham Trent University to learn more about the project and meet some of the students involved. They spent time at the Clifton campus visiting a range of University facilities including the Sport Management suite, the Natural Sciences Research Centre and the state-of-the-art Environmental Chamber, which can simulate climates anywhere in the world.
Chris Parker, Senior Lecturer in Sport and Leisure Management, said: “This exciting initiative is one of a number of consultancy projects we are involved with. This will provide the students with an excellent addition to their curriculum vitae and help make them more employable within the sport and leisure industry. As it is overseas work it may also open doors to working on international projects in the future.”
Ashley Marriott, Assistant Director (Leisure) at Broxtowe Borough Council, said: “This latest development combining our partnership with Nottingham Trent University in collaboration with colleagues in Myszkow is a significant expansion of an already successful programme. The development of Eastern Europe does rely on co-operation and assistance from the more developed countries and, in the spirit of the European Economic Community, we are keen to provide an ambassadorial role in this venture.”
He added: “We have quickly developed a strong bond between our communities and, with the help of the staff and students of the University, I am sure this will grow and prosper. The work the students have undertaken is an important step in opening the area for tourism and I am sure will provide invaluable information to the government and people of Myszkow.”
ENDS
For more information please contact: Dave Rogers, Press Officer, on +44 (0)115 848 8782, or email dave.rogers@ntu.ac.uk, or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on +44 (0)115 848 8774, or email therese.easom@ntu.ac.uk.
