Students team up with Bradford Bulls for project
Students from the University of Bradford were given a guided tour and guest lecture at the city’s rugby league club as part of a marketing project.
The group of 60 final year undergraduate students paid a visit to Bartercard Odsal Stadium, the home of the Bradford Bulls, for a research assignment, where the University and club have teamed up.
As part of their Interactive Services Marketing module, students from the University’s BSc Marketing, Accounting and Finance, Business and Management, Human Resource Management courses have been tasked with creating a marketing strategy that looks to further promote Bradford Bulls to the public.
The students must also devise activities on Bulls’ matchdays to boost fanbase numbers and ticket sales. Their assignment should also say how the stadium’s facilities can be maximised.
During their visit, Ian Stafford, pictured above, Bradford Bulls’ Commercial Manager, gave a guest lecture to the invited students, which was followed by a tour of the club’s stadium.
The project’s objectives are to increase Bulls’ visibility, identify what markets the club does not currently reach, boost opportunities on club matchdays such as the existing Armed Forces Day and further utilising the facilities already on offer at their home ground.
As part of the project, Bulls and the University of Bradford are looking at how they can use the latter’s clubs and societies on Bulls’ matchdays.
His presentation to the students included a history of the Bulls, an introduction to rugby league and details about the community work the club carries out including charity initiatives.
After the day at Bartercard Odsal Stadium, pictured below, the students have until May to work on their assignments, which will see the best submissions presenting to Bradford Bulls and other industry professionals. This is the students’ first ‘real-life’ assignment for this module rather than a theoretical case study and it is the first time they have had a lecture off-campus for this module.
Dr Oluwaseun Olabode, Director of Undergraduate Studies, School of Management and Assistant Professor of Marketing and International Business at the University of Bradford, said: “It was such a great experience.
“It was helpful for us to come here (Bartercard Odsal Stadium). The students really enjoyed it to get a feel of the history of the club and the physical facilities of the club.”
Mr Stafford said: “It is really important that the Bulls have a partnership with the University of Bradford.
“It was important for me to get the students here to see the ground and for them to understand the massive opportunity this ground gives us (Bradford Bulls) compared to any other ground in the UK.
A pair of BSc (Hons) Business Management students who were part of the visiting group said the trip to the stadium gave them some useful pointers for their assignment.
Ayodeji Oremule said: “It was great. It gives me a few ideas for the project. Just walking around the field, you can see the opportunities that can be done. It was really beneficial to do it in person.”
Aleksandra Brzyskiewicz said: “I really enjoyed it today. Coming to a match and seeing how the atmosphere is during a match and seeing how people react would be good.”
This builds on the work of fellow University of Bradford students last month who compiled the club’s social media statistics and carried out a fan survey to enhance the Bulls’ fan experience.
Bradford Bulls kick off their 2024 season in the Betfred Championship on Friday 15 March when they travel to Wakefield Trinity.