Army football teams at Worthy Down are partnering with the University of Winchester for a premier league experience.

Sports journalism students will tape both men and women's matches for the Adjutant General’s Corps, creating a Match of the Day-style highlights reel with commentary and interviews.

The films will be used for player performance analysis. Additionally, team members will benefit from sports psychology sessions and fitness testing by the University’s Sports and Exercise Science Department for enhanced mental and physical prowess.

Players visiting the physiology laboratory will be put through their paces in a range of fitness tests overseen by sport science laboratory technician, Eloise Paine.

She said: "As well as helping the army teams improve their performance, these sessions will be great for our students as they will be able to put into practice what they have learnt during their undergraduate degree on individuals from outside the university."

Hampshire Chronicle: Sports journalism students will tape both men and women's matches for the Adjutant General’s

James Maiden, sport and exercise psychology laboratory technician and qualified sport psychologist, who has been introducing the soldiers to sports psychology with the aid of postgraduate students at the university, said: "The feedback from the army has been very positive. Most of the guys have never been exposed to sports psychology but it has certainly given them something to think about and generated some interesting discussions."

Manager of the AGC men’s team, warrant officer Stephen Sharratt, said: "It’s a privilege to be working with the University. I’m not aware that any of our rivals have access to this kind of support. 

"The sports psychology session with James was very enjoyable and gave the players plenty to consider about preparation, temperament, and overcoming adversity."

Brian Thornton, senior lecturer in the University’s School of Media and Film, said: "This is such an amazing opportunity for our Sports Journalism students.

"They get the chance to film live football, interview managers and players, add commentary and then bring all these elements together in a slickly edited highlights programme.  

"It is the perfect preparation for a career as a professional sports journalist. This focus on real-world experience is the reason why our graduates have gone on to work for the likes of Sky Sports, BBC Sport, ITV Sport, The Athletic, MUTV, and BT Sport."