BiG Storage Cheshire Jets and The University of Chester, in just their first season of working together, have designed a unique foundation degree in Sports Coaching (Basketball) which will be launched at the British Basketball (BBL) finals at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham this weekend (3 rd/4 th May 2008)

Students on the programme will be given a unique opportunity to develop their coaching skills alongside professional coaches and players, and will help out with spreading basketball to schools across Cheshire.

The degree course will commence at the start of the new academic year in Autumn 2008 with up to 25 places available. Work based learning will form a key part of the degree and will be facilitated by BiG Storage Cheshire Jets as an integral part of their community projects and wider business activity.

The degree is the first stage of the Jets and the University working together towards a key strategic long term partnership.

Andrew Donaldson, partner of BiG Storage, who came up with the initial idea late last year stated “Since our sponsorship of the Jets last year it soon became apparent to me that a number of our best young basketball players were leaving the country to go and study basketball in the US, as there were few other options for them in the UK. Not anymore – we all hope this degree will not only attract potential elite GB future players but also attract people looking for a basketball coaching career. We even hope that a couple of the students may make it on to the bench of the BiG Storage Cheshire Jets next season. It represents a unique opportunity for the students, the club and the University.”

“Special thanks must go to the University of Chester team, who with the Jets help, have put a fantastic course together within a very challenging time frame. The co-operation of all parties is a perfect example of just what a public and private sector partnership can achieve when working together.”

Professor Sarah Andrew, Dean of Applied and Health Sciences at the University, said: “The University views this as the beginning of a long-term partnership with BiG Storage Cheshire Jets.

“The FD will be located at the University’s Warrington campus, and will provide an opportunity to develop further the already excellent sports facilities at the site. It will join the existing suite of Foundation Degrees in Sport and Exercise Sciences to be based at Warrington.

“Last week, the Campus was visited by Keith Mair, Chief Executive of England Basketball, and he declared the partnership to be unique in the UK.

“Cheshire Jets runs a Hoops 4 Health scheme at primary schools in the region, and students will have the opportunity to contribute towards increasing sports participation among young people.”

For more information on the course and its content please see brochure