Richard Lewis, chair of Sport England, visited Sheffield Hallam University this week to mark the signing of an agreement that gives 500 students access to world class sporting facilities at the English Institute of Sport - Sheffield (EIS Sheffield).
The deal, worth £1m over ten years, will mean that Sheffield Hallam has a virtual campus at EIS Sheffield, with teaching and learning space at the site and facilities for academic members of staff.
The deal will benefit all sports students at the University, and those who compete in top level sport.
Richard, a former professional tennis player, toured Sheffield Hallam facilities on Wednesday afternoon before speaking at an In Conversation event during the evening.
Mark Swales, Director of Facilities at Sheffield Hallam said: "We are delighted to announce the new partnership between Sheffield Hallam and EIS Sheffield.
"This agreement means our students have access to some of the finest sporting facilities in the country, which will support and enhance their learning experience.
"Sheffield Hallam has more sports related students that any other university in the UK and we also boast a unique sports research cluster that can offer expertise in all aspects of sport. Alongside this, Sheffield itself has a proud sporting legacy. It was designated as the UK's first City of Sport and this year will be hosting its biggest ever sporting programme.
Steve Brailey, chief executive of Sheffield International Venues (SIV), which operates EIS Sheffield, said: "The agreement is a superb example of two leading Sheffield names working together to harness sporting excellence in the city.
"EIS Sheffield will provide the students with access to first-class teaching and learning environments alongside leading names from the world of sport also based at the venue such as Jessica Ennis, Britain's number one table tennis player Paul Drinkhall and the GB Boxing squads.
"The partnership also supports SIV and Sport England's commitment to growing participation, sustaining sports satisfaction and improving elite talent development."
Richard Lewis, Chair of Sport England, said: "This deal is good news for sport and good news for the hundreds of students who'll benefit every year. Sheffield Hallam is clearly a university that sees sport as a key part of its future. Its fitness and sporting facilities are excellent, and the sports research I have seen today has been truly inspirational."
EIS Sheffield is owned by Phoenix Sports Ltd (PSL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Sport England.
PSL Chairman, David Knight, said: "This agreement brings together a world-class facility in EIS Sheffield and a leading university committed to the value and development of sport. This partnership will promote sport within the university, and it will be students themselves who gain most from it."
The agreement was negotiated by Neil Salter, partner at Wake Smith & Tofields solicitors, who acted on behalf of Sheffield Hallam to finalise details regarding use of the EIS facilities for academic and sporting use.
