Loughborough lightning strikes a new sponsorship deal
East Midlands Airport is to become the new sponsors of the East Midlands premier netball team, Loughborough Lightning, based at Loughborough University.
The 15-player team consists of current students, Loughborough graduates and regional players and is currently at the top of the Co-operative Netball Superleague.
To celebrate the new sponsorship deal, East Midlands Airport Managing Director Penny Coates will be leading a team of EMA staff in a special training session before one of the team’s high profile games on Monday 25 February, 2008.
Penny Coates, Managing Director, East Midlands Airport, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity and we’re thrilled to be sponsoring Loughborough Lightning. The team is the pinnacle of the netball programme and we are looking forward to working with the University and supporting its commitment to developing elite netball. Support for local initiatives has long been a feature of our work and everyone at EMA wishes Lightning the very best of luck.”
Loughborough is home to one of England Netball’s National Netball Centres and plays host to a comprehensive netball development programme for both students and non-students.
Loughborough University, with support from East Midlands Netball, owns the Loughborough Lightning franchise which is based at the University. The franchise was a completely new venture for the start of the Co-operative Netball Superleague and shows the University’s commitment to developing elite netball.
The team is looking to use the comprehensive training facilities and support structure at the University to attract the best players to the East Midlands and grow the best talent in the region. Lightning’s success on court and off-court can be seen in a 40 per cent growth in home crowds and the addition of a National Talent League team to the club structure.
Doors to tonight’s game will open at 5pm. The game will be covered by Sky Sports and the 90 minute programme will be shown on Sky Sports 3 at 5pm, 9pm and midnight on Thursday 28 February 2008.
For more information contact:
EMA Press Office
Tel: 0845 108 8542
Email: pressoffice@eastmidlandsairport.com