Aspire Pharma Ltd is the new sponsor of Leicestershire County Cricket Club’s (LCCC’s) state-of-the-art medical centre at the Uptonsteel Ground, at Grace Road.
Since 2016, the medical centre has been sponsored by Loughborough-based Morningside Pharmaceuticals, which was acquired by Aspire in 2022. This acquisition will create a fast-growing, top-30 UK specialty pharma company.
The newly named Aspire Medical Centre will continue to be a critical treatment area for the club’s players; where specialist physio can be carried out, as well as urgent medical assistance provided in an emergency.
As the medical centre has become more established, it has developed into a hub for sports science and medicine. Hundreds of junior cricketers from LCCC’s Academy are invited to visit and learn more about these key study areas each year.
Richard Condon, Chief Executive of Aspire Pharma, said: “At Aspire, our mission is to make a difference to the lives of patients through the development and supply of innovative products and medicines throughout the world, which this partnership very much aligns with.
“We’re proud to continue our support of the Aspire Medical Centre, which has developed into an essential treatment facility for the club. It has also become an education hub for the benefit of the players, public and wider community.”
Prior to the creation of the Aspire Medical Centre in 2016, the club had to treat players and visitors off-site, which was not ideal if a member of the public or player became seriously ill.
Sean Jarvis, CEO of LCCC, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Aspire Pharma as the medical centre’s new sponsor. It’s great news that Aspire will be continuing our partnership, which has made such a huge difference to the sports science, physiotherapy, and medical treatment facilities at Grace Road.”
The medical centre, in the Lower Meet, provides Leicestershire County Cricket Club players with state-of-the-art match preparation and rehabilitation support from injuries. It has a space for a private treatment room, an open plan treatment area and an adjoining trauma room, which doubles as a crowd medical facility for use by St John’s Ambulance on match days.
Ryan Smith, Head of Sports Science and Medicine at the club, said: “The cricket season is demanding and can take its toll on the players’ bodies. For the team to reach the highest level it’s essential that we have the best facilities onsite to treat and rehabilitate the players. This access allows our teams to deliver individualised treatments at any time and enables our players to consistently train all year round.
“The medical centre’s facilities are an important part of our pre-match, during and post-match physiotherapy and sports science infrastructure. It has enabled us to progress the rehabilitation of our injured athletes by increasing the access we have to a usable and functional training environment.
“This will hopefully give our players the winning edge in the different championships they are competing in this cricket season.”
