Coventry students in Premier League for fundraising

Students and staff at Coventry University have helped to raise an impressive £1,648 for charity, following a visit from the Barclays Premier League Trophy to the campus this week.

The most prized piece of silverware in domestic football spent the day in Coventry, on display in the recently opened, state of the art Hub building at the heart of the University Quarter. For a minimum donation of £1 students and staff could pose with the stunning Premier League Trophy, receiving a framed souvenir photograph to treasure forever, whilst raising funds for children’s charity Right To Play.

Vince Mayne, Director of Sport at Coventry University and a project manager for the Team Phoenix student sports clubs, said:

“The University was delighted to secure a visit from the Premier League Trophy, as part of its three-year world tour. The Trophy represents the pinnacle of excellence in football in the UK and is an aspirational symbol. As a university, we work with our students to help them develop their skills, achieve their goals and fulfil their potential, themes central to football and all sporting endeavours.

“At the same time as giving students an impressive memento of their time at Coventry University, we were able to raise much needed funds for Right To Play, a charity which aims to improve the lives of children in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world by using the power of sport and play for development, health and peace.”

Students and staff photo donations raised £724, with an extra £100 being contributed by the University, and this total was generously match-funded by Barclays Bank bringing the final figure up to £1,648.

Facts about the Barclays Premier League Trophy:

• It was crafted in 2004, when Barclays became title sponsor of the FA Premier League.
• Cast by the Crown Jewellers Asprey & Garrard, the trophy’s main body is made from solid sterling silver with 24-carat silver gilt plating on the crown, and is valued as ‘priceless’.
• The total weight of the trophy is around 25.5kg/4 stones.
• The base of the trophy is made from malachite, a semi precious stone found in Africa. The green colour of the opaque stone represents the field of play.

Facts about The Hub:

• The Hub is the greenest building on campus and sets the standard for best practice in sustainable building design, construction and operation.
• Its ‘green credentials’ include ground source cooling; natural ventilation; solar water heating; grey water harvesting, with rain water used in toilets; a green roof.
• BREEAM status is widely used to measure a building’s environment performance, and The Hub has achieved a BREEAM status of Excellent.
• The £32m Hub is part of the £150m redevelopment programme at the city centre campus. Through the day it provides an ideal environment to relax with friends or study informally, with facilities including a doctors’ surgery, hairdressers, food court and students’ union. In the evening it becomes a vibrant venue with bars, a 700-capacity club, a cinema and performing arts space.

For more information, please contact Alex Roache, External Press & Media Relations Officer, Coventry University, on +44 (0)24 7679 5050 or email alex.roache@coventry.ac.uk.