SPORTY students are set to get kitted out after the University of Bolton announced a new deal with European sports retail giant Decathlon.

The agreement — which is being organised through Decathlon’s Bolton store, the university and the Students’ Union — will see students and sports clubs supplied exclusively by the retailer and offered discounted kit.

The partnership forms part of University of Bolton Sport, a new brand name for the University and Students’ Union sport and active wellbeing services, which aims to encourage more students to take on and keep a sporting habit, develop the student experience and promote volunteering to support sporting opportunities for disadvantaged community groups.

Professor George Holmes, Vice Chancellor of the university, said: “We only have to cast our minds to the London Olympics to recall what can be achieved through sport — not just on the pitch or the track but through the passion sport inspires.

“The cultural legacy those games gave this country has been sensational, showing the potential of sport to transform communities with a drive to achieve that cannot be under estimated.”

He added: “We are delighted to be working with Decathlon — this partnership will have great benefits for our University, our wider community and out students.”

The partnership will bring with it a host of benefits for staff and students, including discounted kit for students on academic sports courses and gifted clothing and equipment for students carrying out community sports volunteer roles.

There will also be part-time student and graduate internships to work in the Bolton Decathlon store.

Andy Barker, store manager at Decathlon Bolton, said: “We see this as a fantastic opportunity to fulfil Decathlon’s company promise of encouraging participation in sport.

“Partnering with the university and Student Union, Decathlon Bolton aims to promote access to and participation in sport by gifting its own ‘passion brands’ of sporting products such as Quechua, b’Twin and Kipsta as well as creating graduate internships and opportunities to become student sports volunteers.”

He added: “These roles aim to develop graduate employability and students’ ability to take on new responsibilities and get more people active across Bolton’s communities.”