Games volunteer role could spark new research project

Excitement, fun and the chance to uncover new research opportunities are among the expectations that Griffith lecturer Dr Caroline Riot will bring to her volunteer role at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

Caroline, who teaches sport management at the Department of Tourism, Sport and Hotel Management, will take up a role in Press Operations at the Oxenford Studios where the boxing, squash and table tennis competition will take place.

“I’ll be involved in the mixed zone, where athletes mix with media, which is something completely new for me,” she said.

“I’ll be around the action where Griffith student Skye Nicolson will be competing. I also hope to see some bouts up close which is new and exciting. The atmosphere around the athletes will be electric. I can’t wait.”

Dr Riot sees Griffith’s role as a Tier One Partner of GC2018 as an unprecedented opportunity to engage and draw new knowledge from a major sports event in a way that would not necessarily be possible otherwise.

“I want to bring my first-hand Games experience back to the classroom and share key outcomes with students now and in future trimesters,” she said. “This is a remarkable opportunity to source new material and draw on examples and experience that will inform and create new lessons in the classroom. I will take an enquiring perspective into my role.

“I also hope to discover new avenues for future research that builds on my existing studies around the participation of women and girls in sport and the legacy of the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. This experience may even spark a whole new innovative project.”

Her focus will not be entirely academic, however, as she also aims to throw herself into the Games atmosphere. “I love getting involved and wanted to be a part of the action – a one off opportunity to be a part of the biggest event to be held in Queensland, Australia this decade. It’s not every year that a Commonwealth Games comes to town.

“I’m looking forward to a lot of new experiences and unknowns, like the late nights on the train to and from Brisbane. I imagine there will probably be a few questions and a lot of interest from the spectators travelling to the Games when they see us in our very bright and colourful Games Shapers uniforms.

“I’m looking forward to the fun of it all.”