New links with university sees Raiders renamed

A major new three-year deal sees a renamed Plymouth University Raiders, in an effort to boost the links between the city’s university and the South West’s premier basketball team.

In a bid to highlight the national profile of both organisations, it now opens up a range of opportunities for University staff and students, the Raiders’ squad and organisation, together with schools and community groups across the Plymouth area.

It also gave a brief taster as to what Raiders’ new Spalding BBL Championship kit will look like ahead of the forthcoming season.

Professor Wendy Purcell, Vice-Chancellor of Plymouth University, said: “This exciting new partnership sees the teaming up of two like-minded organisations aspiring for further success at a national and international level. Sporting excellence has the power to inspire, and we are confident this partnership will do just that, both for our staff and students, and the wider community. It also reinforces our commitment to our home city, and will generate genuine impact in Plymouth and across the wider region.”

The Raiders’ existing Hoops for Health programme and Numeracy and Literacy schemes will also see added value from the tie-up of the two organisations, as well as expanding and working together on other educational and community outreach projects.

There will also of course be a huge benefit for the University basketball teams, with the men’s team having just won the 2012/13 BUCS Western Conference Cup and the ladies team having reached their own final.

Bob Widdecombe, Chairman of the Plymouth University Raiders, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the partnership between ourselves and Plymouth University. The agreement will see both parties benefit enormously, and we will be proud to take the University’s name and identity to all corners of the UK during the BBL season. The Raiders are one of the South West’s most successful professional sports teams, and are Plymouth’s only professional premier league team. With the full commitment from both parties, the partnership is set to go from strength to strength over the coming years.”