Businesses are being offered the chance to partner with 10 'fantastic' sporting academies at Hartpury University and Hartpury College.

Hartpury has just launched its Kick Start Campaign which has been designed to offer sponsorship and commercial partnership opportunities across sporting academies.

Stuart Emmerson, director of business development at Hartpury said: "Many people in Gloucestershire and further afield often know Hartpury because of its rugby or its equine credentials, both of which are world class. But what this particular Kick Start Campaign intends to do is shine a light on 10 fantastic sporting academies at Hartpury.

"People will be aware of the rugby perhaps and aware of the equine, but actually we have a fantastic football academy, a fantastic performance academy, netball, modern pentathlon and golf - it's really incredible and a fantastic array of talent.

"This campaign is deliberately timed I hope with the opening of the economy as well as what has been an incredibly challenging time for everyone, but certainly for students who have had to show real resilience to get through their studies in really challenging circumstances, and this is an opportunity for the business community to show their support and support fantastic local talent and to raise their own profile in the process.

"All partnerships have to be mutually beneficial so we want this to work for Gloucestershire-based businesses in particular. We hope they will be keen to support us because what they get is in very practical terms a sponsor logo on the kit, on site presence through branding and signage, they'll get social media, press release, marketing plan and there will be invitations to events and speaking opportunities.

"More broadly it's about tapping into Hartpury's profile and particularly it's a growing profile - it's an exciting place to be. We are investing in our staff, students and facilities, we have got some incredible networks and incredible alumni, some of whom have come through these sporting academies, so really it's an opportunity for businesses to enhance their brand's visibility with a respected local educational provider.

"In a normal year we would have over 200 events so we get a lot of people coming through the door at Hartpury. We have a great social media following and an international audience as well. So if you are a business that wants to grow your profile, locally, regionally, nationally and internationally then Hartpury is a great partner to work with."

Hartpury recently announced its first partner when Vitruvius Management Services became the first company to sign up for Hartpury's Kick Start Campaign, becoming title sponsor of the Hartpury Women's Rugby Academy.

"Vitruvius are really excited to be part of this," added Stuart. "They are sponsoring a star-studded team of athletes. They wanted to support diverse talent and to shine a light on the fantastic talented female athletes at Hartpury. We are really delighted to have them on board and are really grateful to them for their support."

Hartpury will be communicating with the business community on various social media. Anyone interested in partnering with one of the Hartpury academies can contact Hartpury at partnerships@hartpury.ac.uk  or visit www.hartpury.ac.uk  to learn more.