Loughborough University has confirmed a three-year extension to its partnership with a leading sports surface manufacturer. The agreement keeps the company in place as the official stadium pitch partner for Loughborough Sport. It maintains its backing of the university’s men’s National League rugby union squad and its elite women’s rugby programme.
Rich Ellis, Deputy Director of Sport (Head of Sport Commercial Partnerships and Facilities), said: “We’re thrilled to extend our long-standing working relationship with SIS. The latest designations reflect the breadth and depth of the partnership, strengthening SIS Pitches’ visibility and involvement across our elite and performance sport environment.”
He continued, “The partnership will also further strengthen the links with Loughborough University’s academic research and innovation teams to deliver impactful and timely projects across a host of sectors.”
The renewed arrangement supports wider business development, skills pathways, and sustainability initiatives across Loughborough’s sporting ecosystem. It also creates scope for both organisations to showcase their technical expertise and commercial capability through joint programmes and sector-facing activities.
Joe Shaw, Commercial Director at SIS Pitches, added: “Renewing our partnership with Loughborough University builds on a long history of collaboration, from installing the water-based hockey pitch to developing the first hybrid cricket surfaces and trialling our sustainable pitch programme.
“This partnership is as much about sharing knowledge as it is about delivering surfaces, and initiatives such as the Grounds Management Forum, wider industry events, and access to experts across sport, science and business have brought that to life.
“We’re looking forward to the next phase with Loughborough Sport and continuing to push sporting innovation together.”
The deal includes plans to deepen international market engagement with a particular focus on opportunities in the United States through targeted networking and sector events.
