News

'To Affinion and Beyond' Project winners announced!

13 Jan 2012

A first-of-its kind schools project concluded on Thursday night when students from two local schools presented their ideas for the future of Fratton Park to a panel of judges including Portsmouth FC Chief Executive David Lampitt and former player and Pompey legend Linvoy Primus.
Entitled ‘To Affinion and Beyond’, the groundbreaking initiative organised jointly by the Pompey Study Centre and major local employer Affinion International, tasked the gifted and talented Year 9 students from Miltoncross and Mayfield schools with redesigning and relocating the stadium. The young designers, architects and entrepreneurs were required to consider everything from the cost of construction to the stadium’s impact on the local infrastructure, community and environment.
Launched last October at Fratton Park, the youngsters worked in teams throughout last term to prepare their plans before pitching them to the panel, whose members included Affinion International’s Vince Bourke, Senior Vice President, Andrew Mutch, Vice President Field Operations – who heads up the Portsmouth offices – and Greg Howford Data Capture Fulfillment Director. Also joining David Lampitt and Linvoy Primus on the panel was Clare Martin, Director of Community Operations at the club..
Following the presentations at the Pompey Study Centre, it was announced that the winning team was Victory Architects from Miltoncross School. Consisting of Lewis Blake, Scarlette Tiller and Poppy Stevens, the judges were particularly impressed by the team’s effective combination of imaginative flair and attention to detail which included a fantastic presentation and a well throughout and structured business plan, the team finished off their presentation with the slogan ‘Think Victory, Be Victorious.
During the project the 30 students taking part had the opportunity to tour Fratton Park and visited Reading FC’s Madejski Stadium. They also had the opportunity to question a panel of experts which included Linvoy Primus and Affinion International’s Fiona Johnston.

Andrew Mutch, Vice President Field Operations at Affinion International, said: “As a major local employer it’s important that we invest in the next generation of entrepreneurs and business people, and this exciting project has focused on a number of essential skills, not least the importance of teamwork.
“We’re delighted to have been able to support the valuable work of the Pompey Study Centre through such a groundbreaking project which we hope will inspire the students involved as they consider their education and career choices in the years to come.”
Adam Lea, Education Manager at the Pompey Study Centre, said: “This project has really engaged the students by tapping into a very real and relevant local issue and I’ve been impressed by the level of enthusiasm and commitment they’ve displayed throughout. It has really challenged them, requiring the teams to draw on all their numeracy, literacy, ICT and business skills to create their plans, which were completed to an extremely high standard, without exception.
“It has been tremendous to be involved in something so innovative and cutting-edge which has allowed young people in Portsmouth to learn through football, which of course is the Study Centre’s over-riding objective.”