Wirral Life February 2020 | Page 7

IN BRIEF BIRKENHEAD SCHOOL LAUNCH FULLY FUNDED ACCESS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SIXTH FORM SPIRE MURRAYFIELD TO BECOME TRANMERE ROVER’S OFFICIAL MEDICAL PARTNER Spire Murrayfield Hospital Wirral has announced that it has become Tranmere Rovers Football Club’s official medical partner. At this time of year, many Wirral students will be deciding on where to study A Levels from September. Birkenhead School, a leading independent school based in Oxton has announced that 100% Funded Sixth Form Access Scholarships are now available from September 2020. On announcement of the Access Scholarships, Paul Vicars, Headmaster, stated: "This initiative continues our desire to be as accessible as possible to local families and is available for students who would benefit from all an independent education can offer, but would otherwise be unable to attend without significant funding being made available. We are committed to removing as many barriers to entry to study at the School as possible. "We believe our Sixth Form offering is an exciting one, with a commitment to academic excellence combined with forward-thinking initiatives which give our students a great foundation and network for the years ahead. "As the size of our Sixth Form grows, we are excited to be able to offer this extensive means-tested financial support to students with strong academic credentials, who would otherwise not be able to consider enjoying their sixth form education with us." Students who are interested in applying for the Access Scholarships, are invited to the School’s upcoming Sixth Form Open Evening on Thursday 13th February, 6.00 - 8.00pm, and to submit an application by Monday 24th February. Further information can be found on the School’s website - www.birkenheadschool.co.uk. Under the new agreement, Tranmere Rovers players will have access to Spire Murrayfield’s diagnostic sports medicine facilities in their physiotherapy department, which will help Tranmere Rovers players significantly when it comes to preventing injuries and when recovering from injury. It is also supporting the renovation of Tranmere Rovers Physiotherapy Suite at Prenton Park. This new improved facility will enable Tranmere Rovers to provide improved levels of physiotherapy care to their players on a day to day basis whilst they are in training. Spire Murrayfield Wirral, part of Spire Healthcare Group PLC, is recognised for its provision of sports and exercise medicine to the local community. The hospital, based in Thingwall, Wirral, is home to some of the region’s leading sports medicine and orthopaedic consultants and physiotherapists. Spire Murrayfield’s Hospital Director, Philip Oehley, said that the hospital’s decision to become Tranmere Rovers medical partner is part of its wider commitment to supporting the Wirral community. Philip said: “Spire Murrayfield Wirral is delighted to be supporting the Tranmere Rovers squad. At Spire, we are committed to providing the highest quality care in sports medicine to the local community – whether professional athletes or weekend sports persons. We are proud to be extending this service to Wirral’s own football team. By offering access to our services, we will be able to create individual management plans to the TRFC squad – ensuring the players are in peak condition for the remainder of the season.” Tranmere Rovers Manager Micky Mellon is pleased that Spire Murrayfield will be working with the Club, and he says that it will benefit the medical department. Micky said: "It is fantastic to have Spire Murrayfield supporting our medical team. The partnership will allow us to take the department to another level." Tranmere Rovers Chairman Mark Palios said: “We’re delighted to have Spire Murrayfield as our medical partner. Their support will be a tremendous help in ensuring we keep players on the pitch. It’s also another step forward in the Club’s efforts to work with Wirral based businesses. We look forward to further developing the partnership over the coming years.” wirrallife.com 7