BOURNEMOUTH University is celebrating its third season as official higher education partner of AFC Bournemouth.

It comes as the club has achieved its highest ever Premier League end of season position finishing ninth.

BU’s partnership with AFCB spans back many years, but a formal partnership started in 2013 when the club was promoted from League One to the Championship.

The partnership, which looks to expand the international reach and influence of both the university and club, has seen a range of events and opportunities open to BU staff and students.

This included a visit from AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, who visited BU to look at the new sports performance laboratory at Talbot Campus before taking part in a Q&A event with students on sports management courses.

Speaking during the visit, Eddie Howe, said: "The facilities are excellent, cutting edge technology, it is really good to see BU progressing so well.

"It is really important that the community works together; if there are things the football club can do to promote the university, and things the university can do to promote the football club, it’s a really nice link.

“Hopefully we can generate the next generation of Bournemouth supporters through the university and, likewise, we can help facilitate the future careers of young people in the town.”

BU students also visited Poole High School with AFCB Commercial Director and BU graduate, Rob Mitchell, who spoke to students about his career in football and time spent studying for a degree in Leisure Marketing at BU.

And in April, AFC Bournemouth's top scorer Josh King visited the university to meet children taking part in Sport BU’s Kids Camps and spoke to international student Mats Hjertum, a fellow Norweigan, who competed his placement year with the Norweigan FA.

The partnership provides real opportunities for students to engage with the club too. BU media students are invited to attend press conferences and matchdays to report on the games and provide coverage for student media, getting access usually reserved for journalists. The club also uses a number of student volunteers on matchdays, both in the media team and as ambassadors to help supporters around the stadium.

Jim Andrews, chief operating officer at Bournemouth University, said: “It has been a pleasure to follow AFC Bournemouth this season, and to see Bournemouth celebrate its football team and their continued success on the global stage of the Premier League.

"It has been great to see the university and the football club work together in partnership, and our partnership has been of benefit to both parties, and the local community, and I personally want to add my congratulations to AFC Bournemouth for their most successful season so far in the Premier League.”