SMU Signs Strategic Partnership with Surrey County Cricket Club

Surrey County Cricket Club (Surrey CCC) and St Mary’s University, Twickenham (SMU) have signed a three-year strategic partnership that will focus on knowledge sharing and facilitating research.

The new partnership will see both parties join forces for sports science research and screening purposes to embed a culture of continual improvement in Surrey CCC’s on-field performance. The Club and St Mary’s will explore research subjects of mutual interest as well as collect and analyse data regarding the physical performance of Surrey players.

Students at SMU will also benefit as they will be offered placement opportunities at Surrey CCC in performance analysis, strength and conditioning, and other related fields, giving them vital first-hand experience of working in an elite sporting environment.

As part of the agreement, Surrey CCC will make use of the world leading sports science facilities at SMU for screening activities, including the strength and conditioning centre, biomechanics lab and running track. SMU researchers will also be able to access the indoor training facilities at the KIA Oval for the same purpose.

Alec Stewart, Director of Cricket at Surrey CCC, said: “St Mary’s University is an industry leader in the field of sports science and research, and we are delighted to be entering into a strategic partnership with them.”

“Data and sports science play a big part in modern-day cricket, and we always aim to be forward-thinking and innovative at Surrey Cricket. I look forward to working with the fantastic team at St Mary’s University.”

Dean of Sport, Technology and Health Sciences at SMU Dr Leanne Griffiths added, “We are delighted to partner with such a prestigious sporting organisation. I am particularly pleased that through the agreement, students in the Faculty will get first-hand experience of working in an elite environment, which will be a brilliant launchpad for their careers in sport science. I am sure that our researchers will make a quick impact on performance analytics at Surrey CCC, whilst addressing topical, novel research questions relevant to applied practice in elite sport.”