Digital squad of students support Team Scotland to tell Commonwealth Games story

Students from University College Birmingham are working as the official behind-the-scenes digital squad to tell Team Scotland’s 2022 Commonwealth Games story.    

Nine social media whizzes from across a range of courses from the Business School were chosen for the coveted volunteer digital roles in a team put together in the run up to the event to support Team Scotland’s media officers at the Games. 

Team Scotland is currently being hosted by the University, which has been rebranded Scotland House for the Games as a ‘home from home’ for the team’s 300+ athletes, supporters and staff. 

Richard Behan, Senior Lecturer and Digital Team Co-ordinator, said the student digital squad – based in the Team Scotland media suite at Summer Row – was the ‘engine room’ for telling the team’s story. 

“The students have a variety of roles during the Games, but their main role is to liaise with media officers at the competition venues and translate what happens into engaging content to disseminate across Team Scotland’s social media channels and website,” said Richard. 

“It’s such a fantastic opportunity for the students and I am so happy they have been able to get involved in what is an amazing time for both the University and city.

“The experience they will gain over the Games is unique and will stand them in good stead for the future, especially when applying for graduate jobs.” 

To be considered for the digital roles – which include roving mobile content gatherer, graphics creator, videographer, Instagram and TikTok lead, website editor and photography coordinator – students had to submit a video pitch on why they wanted the opportunity, selling themselves in 60 seconds.   

One of those successful in their pitch was Global Meetings and Events Management MSc student Olivia Ucendo from Spain, who is producing eye-catching TikToks for the team. 

Olivia, who has almost 1,700 followers on Instagram herself, said: “It’s amazing how much work is behind every tweet and Instagram post.

“I am learning a lot. I am sure that this experience will be a differentiating element in my CV.”