Former Sport Science student Nicola Alesbrook gives us an insight into her career story after graduating from St Mary’s in 2000. Currently working for the International Rugby Board (IRB) as their Rugby World Cup (RWC) Tournament Manager, Nicola shares her path to success and some valuable advice to those aspiring to succeed after studying a sports related degree.
How has your career progressed since you graduated from St Mary’s?
I have been lucky in that I have only had two jobs since I left St Mary's. Both jobs have been great in terms of career progression enabling me to develop professionally and personally. I read Sport Science so I haven't needed to draw on my degree knowledge for my roles. However, what St Mary's did teach me was how to be structured, organised and thorough in my work and that has certainly paid off. My first role was at Harlequins Rugby Club where I helped with the running of match days and non-match day events. I also supported the Chief Executive and Marketing Manager. Each of these roles helped to increase my knowledge in different areas of sports management - again with a focus on being organised and efficient. Fortunately this facilitated me working for the International Rugby Board based in Dublin as their Rugby World Cup Project Manager. I have been at the IRB for eight years now and been through two RWC cycles. It is great to be back living in Twickenham to work on my 3rd tournament here in England.
What does your current role entail?
My job title is RWC Tournament Manager which basically means that I oversee various different functional areas relating to the organisation of the tournament. The IRB has a central office located with the Organising Committee (OC) in Twickenham and we work alongside the OC ensuring the tournament is delivered to the highest standards, using previous tournaments as a base. The areas I have specific responsibility for include master planning, risk management, some of the tournament service areas (such as accreditation, accommodation, travel and transport, logistics, security and officials planning and management). However, because of my experience on the previous two tournaments, I often get involved in many of the other areas ensuring consistency and continuity between tournaments whilst allowing the host Nation to put its own cultural spin on the event.
Have you always been interested in rugby and is this job something you have always wanted to do?
I did grow up around rugby but certainly didn't ever imagine working in it - I didn't even know jobs like this existed when I was at university! However I suppose when you work in sport or event management one of the jobs that people would like to do is work on a World Cup or Olympics. I have just been very lucky that I do a job that I enjoy.
The next world cup is in 2015, how are preparations going?
Preparations are going well. The Organising Committee now has a staff of around 40 people, which will increase to around 80 by the end of the year. With more people coming on board it means more detailed work is now starting across all different areas. As a result there are a lot of meetings to ensure departments are talking to each other and not making certain assumptions about how things will run. There is certainly more and more collaboration now which means things are starting to take shape and move forward. A lot will come together in the next 4-5 months setting the foundations for what will be a great tournament.
Do you support any local teams?
Harlequins, because I worked there, but I don't really know anyone there anymore and I haven't been to watch them for a while.
What advice would you give to students graduating this summer?
If you can do some work experience during your time at university - do it. I was lucky enough to do an internship at a sports management company as one of the modules of my course and this definitely set me apart from other graduates looking for work. Offer your services on your days off if you can - you never know where it might lead.
What was your favourite memory of St Mary’s?
I loved the fact that St Mary's was a small University College. I didn't want to go to a huge university where you were just another student. St Mary's made you feel like you were part of a family and it was easy to make friends with students and lecturers. I am still in touch with many of the people from my halls in the first year. Meeting someone now who went to St Mary's at the same time as you, always means you will have lots in common.
How has your career progressed since you graduated from St Mary’s?
I have been lucky in that I have only had two jobs since I left St Mary's. Both jobs have been great in terms of career progression enabling me to develop professionally and personally. I read Sport Science so I haven't needed to draw on my degree knowledge for my roles. However, what St Mary's did teach me was how to be structured, organised and thorough in my work and that has certainly paid off. My first role was at Harlequins Rugby Club where I helped with the running of match days and non-match day events. I also supported the Chief Executive and Marketing Manager. Each of these roles helped to increase my knowledge in different areas of sports management - again with a focus on being organised and efficient. Fortunately this facilitated me working for the International Rugby Board based in Dublin as their Rugby World Cup Project Manager. I have been at the IRB for eight years now and been through two RWC cycles. It is great to be back living in Twickenham to work on my 3rd tournament here in England.
What does your current role entail?
My job title is RWC Tournament Manager which basically means that I oversee various different functional areas relating to the organisation of the tournament. The IRB has a central office located with the Organising Committee (OC) in Twickenham and we work alongside the OC ensuring the tournament is delivered to the highest standards, using previous tournaments as a base. The areas I have specific responsibility for include master planning, risk management, some of the tournament service areas (such as accreditation, accommodation, travel and transport, logistics, security and officials planning and management). However, because of my experience on the previous two tournaments, I often get involved in many of the other areas ensuring consistency and continuity between tournaments whilst allowing the host Nation to put its own cultural spin on the event.
Have you always been interested in rugby and is this job something you have always wanted to do?
I did grow up around rugby but certainly didn't ever imagine working in it - I didn't even know jobs like this existed when I was at university! However I suppose when you work in sport or event management one of the jobs that people would like to do is work on a World Cup or Olympics. I have just been very lucky that I do a job that I enjoy.
The next world cup is in 2015, how are preparations going?
Preparations are going well. The Organising Committee now has a staff of around 40 people, which will increase to around 80 by the end of the year. With more people coming on board it means more detailed work is now starting across all different areas. As a result there are a lot of meetings to ensure departments are talking to each other and not making certain assumptions about how things will run. There is certainly more and more collaboration now which means things are starting to take shape and move forward. A lot will come together in the next 4-5 months setting the foundations for what will be a great tournament.
Do you support any local teams?
Harlequins, because I worked there, but I don't really know anyone there anymore and I haven't been to watch them for a while.
What advice would you give to students graduating this summer?
If you can do some work experience during your time at university - do it. I was lucky enough to do an internship at a sports management company as one of the modules of my course and this definitely set me apart from other graduates looking for work. Offer your services on your days off if you can - you never know where it might lead.
What was your favourite memory of St Mary’s?
I loved the fact that St Mary's was a small University College. I didn't want to go to a huge university where you were just another student. St Mary's made you feel like you were part of a family and it was easy to make friends with students and lecturers. I am still in touch with many of the people from my halls in the first year. Meeting someone now who went to St Mary's at the same time as you, always means you will have lots in common.
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