The Hartpury Sports Business Hub has received £116,132 from Gloucester City Council through the Government's UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The university will use its share of the funding to increase the impact made by its sports degree student volunteers working in sports clubs, leisure centres, playing fields and community centres in the city.

The scheme will see Hartpury further expand its package of business support to up-skill and boost the employability of volunteers and community sport makers in Gloucester-based clubs.

From tennis to rugby and netball to rowing, the Sports Business Hub will offer coaching sessions in local primary and secondary schools, training workshops, placements and consultancy projects led by Hartpury's own MSc sport students, as part of their postgraduate studies.

Michael Green and Alex Kay from Hartpury University's department of sport said: "The funding creates a fantastic opportunity for the Hartpury Sports Business Hub to continue its work supporting local sports clubs and organisations. These clubs and community centres are often the heartbeat of local communities and we hope, with this additional support, they can deliver even greater impact.

"The benefit of this project also extends to our students, who will gain real world practical experience aligned with curriculum content - helping enhance their knowledge and understanding of the UK sports industry."

Stuart Emmerson, director of business development at Hartpury, said: "Sport builds stronger communities. By investing in local people with a passion for sport, developing new skills for employment and promoting the health benefits that sport brings, our Sports Business Hub will no doubt deliver a much wider social impact."

The Hartpury Sports Business Hub currently provides access to a range of organisations, including Active Gloucester, Sport Wales, Bream RFC and Gloucestershire County Cricket Club, as well as multinational corporations and independent businesses.

Cllr Richard Cook, leader of Gloucester City Council, said: "I am really pleased to support this programme that will provide valuable expertise and resource to grassroots sport provision throughout the city. Sport is an important part of what makes local communities gel, inspiring personal achievement, bringing people together and creating strong social networks. I wish Hartpury every success with the programme."