SIXTY Chinese football coaches are coming to Bournemouth for pointers on how to run a successful club.

They are spending three months at Bournemouth University on a study programme organised by the British Council.

The coaches will take part in a programme to improve their skills and knowledge in collaboration with the university and AFC Bournemouth.

The university applied for funding from the British Council and had it confirmed following the UK-China Government Summit last year. It was one of only three successful universities of the 35 which put in a bid.

Key delegates were in Bournemouth for a two-day preparation visit ahead of the study programme and found out more about the university and the football club. They toured the campus and heard from the academics and coaches who will lead the programme.

Sonal Minocha, pro vice-chancellor (global engagement) at Bournemouth University, said: “We are delighted to welcome this high level Chinese delegation to Bournemouth and to Bournemouth University.

“It is a prime example of our expanding global capital and we are delighted to work alongside our partners AFC Bournemouth to deliver coaching training to Chinese coaches this summer that will underpin the development of their football infrastructure in the future.

“At the heart of this tripartite relationship is a shared passion for the development of future global talent and we can be collectively proud of placing our county on the global map through this work”.

The delegation toured AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality stadium with chairman Jeff Mostyn and saw its coaching and training facilities.

Mr Mostyn said: “Having 60 coaches from China studying in Bournemouth this summer is a great example of the international impact and benefits to both ‘Premier League’ organisations from the university and football club working in partnership.”

The course will involve lectures and seminars on the principles, psychology and theory behind coaching and management, as well as practical coaching and conditioning sessions.

Bournemouth University was recently named one of the most international universities in the world in the Times Higher Education top 200 list.

Wang Gang, vice-president of Federation of University Sports of China (FUSC) and China School Sports Federation (CSSF), said: “I can see BU has done a lot preparation work for the Chinese football training programme and I believe that we will have a successful strategic collaboration between FUSC/CSSF and Bournemouth.”