July saw the latest development in an exciting partnership between Notts County and the university - two of the city’s oldest, world-renowned institutions, which joined together last year in a landmark pairing. The team will be adopting a green and gold away kit in the upcoming 2025/26 season – a nod to our iconic sports team colours, showcasing an outstanding year for the partnership.

Students, Notts County players and staff at the launch of the club's new university-branded kit.

The new Notts County kit, complete with University of Nottingham logo.

Since the partnership with Notts County began, there have already been a number of significant advantages to both organisations, with the club already benefitting from the university’s state-of-the-art facilities.

Supported by the appointment of Dr David Rhodes as Director of Performance, the club will continue to use the facilities throughout the season to test and assess the squad’s physical condition and identify the most effective rehabilitation techniques for injured players.

Moving forward this partnership is stronger than ever, with even more opportunities being developed together. The green and gold kit is a powerful symbol of our unity and what we are aiming to achieve, we are incredibly excited to see it on the pitch in the upcoming season.
Sam Kingman, Provost and Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Nottingham

A joint venture between the club and university will also see Highfields Sports Complex developed into a state-of-the-art training base this summer. The project includes the reconstruction of pitches, building of new facilities and repurposing of existing spaces to create a superb environment for Notts County’s first team.

Football Radar, the company founded by the club’s owners, created four part-time, remote student roles during the 2024-25 season – and the aim is to double this number for the forthcoming campaign. This collaboration provides a unique opportunity for students to gain invaluable experience of working for a leading football analysis company, opening up new avenues which can boost their career prospects.

Elsewhere the university was once again recognised at the annual BUCS Awards Dinner, held on Thursday 17 July at the University of Hull. Hosted by University of Nottingham alumna Cassie Mawby, the BUCS Awards celebrate student athletes, volunteers, coaches and staff who have made an outstanding impact throughout the year.

The university was shortlisted in multiple categories - testament to the hard work, talent and commitment of our sporting community. From grassroots participation to high-performance coaching and creative storytelling, the nominees represented the full spectrum of UoN Sport’s impact.

The team received awards in two categories:

Digital Engagement - UoN Sport Originals

The UoN Sport Originals series was recognised for its transformational digital engagement, delivering powerful and authentic student stories that connect with underrepresented groups.

With over 515,000 views and 8.7 million impressions, the series featured a range of voices. Highlights included para-badminton scholars during Disability Awareness Month, elite Black athletes in the 'Black Student Spotlight', and the 'Mullet Over' mental health campaign featuring male rugby players in honest conversations with their barber.

Content was distributed across university platforms, live-streamed on uonsport.tv, and boosted with targeted digital spend. As a result, engagement among disabled students increased by 11 percent and engagement among Black students rose by 64 percent. Traffic to inclusive sport pages also grew by 80 percent. The series has become a key part of UoN Sport’s strategy to connect, inspire, and include.

Unsung Hero - Matthew Nicholson

Matt Nicholson, Club & Coach Development Manager at the University of Nottingham, has been recognised for his exceptional impact on student sport.

Supporting nearly 9,000 student club members, Matt has led transformative work across training, welfare, and inclusion. He introduced a new leadership programme for over 450 student volunteers, delivered targeted welfare support during difficult times, and championed inclusive practices across all clubs.

Matt has also played a key role in organising more than 25 major student sport events throughout the year, while representing the university nationally through his work with BUCS advisory groups. His dedication, leadership and care continue to enhance the student experience at every level.

We’re incredibly proud of every student, staff member and volunteer who helped make this year so successful. Our BUCS Award wins and nominations reflect not just performance, but culture — one that values inclusion, innovation, and wellbeing in sport.
Dan Tilley - Director of Sport, University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham was also recognised for coming 2nd in the overall BUCS Points league table.

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