Latest news from Loughborough University
| 8 July 2008 | PR 08/105 |
University cricketer awarded Leicestershire internship
Loughborough University cricketer Johan Malcolm has signed a three month internship with Leicestershire as part of a new MCC programme.
Malcolm, who has just completed his final year of Business Economics and Finance at Loughborough, is one of just three university cricketers in the country to benefit from the MCC scheme which funds players’ contracts while the county assumes responsibility for their management as they undergo an extended trial.
The 22-year-old, who was born in Denmark, is looking forward to his stint at Leicestershire as he tries to forge a professional career within cricket.
“Having access to the superb facilities and coaching on offer at Loughborough and being part of the MCC universities scheme has undoubtedly helped my game,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed three years as a UCCE cricketer and am now looking forward to this extended opportunity with Leicestershire.
“It is up to me to demonstrate to the coaches at Leicester that
my ability and attitude is right to take the next step for a career in
cricket.”
Leicestershire coach Tim Boon is looking forward to welcoming Malcolm
to the club.
“Johan Malcolm was our first choice as he fits into the current profile that we are looking for,” he said. “Graham Dilley, the Loughborough UCCE head coach, gave him an excellent reference and we look forward to giving Johan an extended opportunity during the summer.”
MCC head of cricket John Stephenson is delighted to be able to offer students an extended opportunity to impress at county level.
“The internship scheme is one that suits both parties,” he said. “Not only can MCC help to develop university cricketers and the MCC University scheme but the county gets to work with the cream of the crop for an extended period.
“Players will be given a good opportunity to impress without feeling the pressure of having to produce in a one-off situation, which is what has previously happened.”
-ENDS-
For all media enquiries contact:
- Amanda Overend, Sport PR Officer, Loughborough University,
T: 01509 228686, E: A.J.Overend@lboro.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
- Loughborough is one of the country’s leading
universities, with an international reputation for excellence in teaching
and research, strong links with industry and unrivalled sporting achievement.
It is a member of the esteemed 1994 Group – a set of internationally recognised, research intensive universities – and has a reputation for the relevance of its work. Its degree programmes are highly regarded by professional institutions and businesses, and its graduates are consistently targeted by the UK’s top recruiters.
Loughborough is also the UK’s premier university for sport. It has perhaps the best integrated sports development environment in the world and is home to some of the country’s leading coaches, sports scientists and support staff. It also has the country’s largest concentration of world-class training facilities across a wide range of sports.
In the 2007 National Student Survey, the University was voted fourth in the UK, with 23 out of 29 of Loughborough’s subject areas being ranked in the top ten for overall satisfaction. Loughborough is also ranked in the top fifteen of UK universities in national league tables. It was named winner of the 2006 and 2007 Times Higher award for the UK’s Best Student Experience and winner of the 2007 award for Outstanding Support for Overseas Students. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, the University has been awarded six Queen's Anniversary Prizes – an achievement bettered by no other university.