New Zealand A-League club, Auckland FC, have announced a partnership with premier New Zealand institution, the Auckland University of Technology (AUT).
The collaboration will be a non-commercial partnership and instead provide several mutually advantageous bonuses to both organisations, benefitting AUT staff and students, as well as Auckland FC players.
Auckland FC CEO, Nick Becker, expressed the club’s pride for the deal with AUT.
“We’re delighted to be collaborating with New Zealand’s top sports university and further cement our place as part of the Auckland community,” he said in a press release.
“To have the support of, and access to, AUT’s people, resources and research is extremely valuable to the club and our aim of developing clear professional pathways for New Zealand’s top talent.”
As New Zealand’s third largest university by number of enrolled students, AUT’s partnership with Auckland FC is a significant signing for the young club.
AUT’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Damon Salesa, explained why the upcoming collaboration was so important for the university.
“With AUT’s strong position in New Zealand’s sporting ecosystem – including its world-class sports research and our School of Sport and Recreation being ranked in the top 30 in the world – there is a natural synergy between the two organisations,” he said via press release.
“The partnership is an ideal alignment from an educational, sporting and community perspective and will provide valuable opportunities for our students, staff and Auckland FC.
“This is also a significant moment for the development of football in Tāmaki Makaurau and we’re very proud to be standing alongside Auckland FC at the beginning of a new chapter of football in our city.”
Consistently placing in the top 1% of universities across the world, AUT presents as a high-achieving and experienced partner for Auckland FC to continue to grow their brand with.
Auckland FC will continue to represent the Auckland community as it cements itself in the A-League as an ambassador of the city and New Zealand.