Volunteer Nat mixes with the world’s best

Not many people get to rub shoulders with the fastest man on the planet Usain Bolt, but that was all in a day’s work for Teesside University Sports Development Officer Nat Broom.

Four years ago Nat, 25, completed her BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy degree at Teesside, now she has just returned from a volunteering trip to South Korea where she was mixing with the cream of world athletics.

Nat spent a week at the World Athletics Championships as a media mixed zone volunteer. Her role was to guide the athletes through the press section, accompany them to press conferences and chaperone them to medal ceremonies.

During her time in South Korea, Nat had a leading role during a Usain Bolt interview, chatted to 100 metres winner Carmelita Jeter after a press conference and mixed with the likes of British gold medallist Mo Farah at the closing celebration.

An experience of a lifetime She said: 'It really was an experience of a lifetime. I volunteered in Berlin in 2009 but I enjoyed this so much more. South Korea is such an amazing place and to be so close to world class athletes was just surreal.

'I’ve always loved athletics and used to compete at county level – these people were some of my heroes from a young age, people I have always looked up to and now I have had the chance to meet them.'

Nat, who is originally from the Isle of Wight, works as a Sports Development Officer (Volunteer Development) at Teesside University and is also completing her MSc Strength and Conditioning part time.

She has always been a strong advocate of volunteer work, but never thought she would get so close to the stars at the World Athletics Championships, which took place between 27 August and 4 September.

'There were so many volunteers, but as a mixed media zone volunteer I was able to be really hands-on and work on a personal level with some of the best athletes in the world,' added Nat.

'When Usian Bolt won the 200 metres, there was such a buzz around him. I was holding the microphone while he was being interviewed and I remember thinking the media frenzy was absolutely crazy.'

Coming to Teesside was life-changing Nat, who worked as an Executive Officer at Teesside University’s Students’ Union after finishing her undergraduate degree, has already agreed to go to the 2013 championships in Moscow and is hoping for a similar role at London 2012.

She says it was coming to University that provided her with the skills and confidence to take these amazing opportunities.

Nat said: 'Coming to Teesside University definitely changed my life. I started in 2004 and am still here, so that tells you how much it means to me. All the way through my degree and then working here as well, the University has really helped me to develop and broaden my horizons.'

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