Technical recruitment firm Carrington West steps up to sponsor Portsmouth university's sports teams

Carrington West, which is based at Lakeside, North Harbour, has signed a sponsorship deal to become the main partner of competitive sport at the University of Portsmouth.

The partnership sees Carrington West become the front of shirt sponsor for the university’s sports teams.

James Fernandes, managing director, said: ‘We are incredibly excited to be partnering with the University of Portsmouth sports department this academic year.

‘As a Portsmouth-based employer, we had asked ourselves how we can best use our knowledge and skills to support young people entering the job market for the first time.

‘As soon as we met with the university sports department, it felt like a natural fit. They work hard to ensure students have access to a wide variety of sports and fitness activities that contribute positively to physical and mental wellbeing.

‘This is aligned with our own mission to put people first and help everyone to be the best version of themselves through continual learning. Both parties were looking for a true partnership not just a sponsorship deal, and we are eager to see what we can achieve.’

Paul Tilley, head of sport at the University of Portsmouth, said: ‘We’re very excited to be working with such a prominent local business to provide support to our competitive sports programmes.

‘It is an exciting time for the University of Portsmouth as we head towards the opening of our new £57m Ravelin Sports Centre.

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‘We have an ambitious vision for sport at Portsmouth and partnering with sector leaders like Carrington West is key to delivering our strategy.’

The first stage of the partnership has seen some of the university sports clubs receiving and competing in their new kits. The new Ravelin Sports Centre – due to open on December 13 – includes teaching facilities to enable Carrington West to deliver workshops and seminars focussing on key employment skills and attributes for students.

Amanda Ansell, marketing manager at Carrington West, said: ‘It is fantastic to see our name on the front of the team kits, but this is an opportunity for so much more. We’re looking forward to working on numerous projects and activities, including student employability and charity initiatives.’