Three UCFB academics were commentating and reporting at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, using their vast industry experience to provide expert insight into their respective sports.

Guy McCrea, a BA (Hons) Sports Business and Sports Broadcasting lecturer at UCFB Wembley Campus, led the table tennis and para table tennis television commentary team from the heart of the international broadcast production from Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre throughout the Games.

Guy’s live match commentaries in Birmingham were used by all English language global broadcast rights holders, including BBC Sport in the UK, India’s Sony Pictures Sports Network and Channel Seven in Australia. He commentated on numerous gold medal matches at the table tennis, including the stunning triumph of England’s Paul Drinkhall and Liam Pitchford as they became the first pair in Commonwealth Games history to retain the men’s doubles title.

Speaking exclusively to UCFB, he said: “I have been privileged to work numerous times in my broadcasting career on the world’s biggest multi-sports events - the Olympics, Paralympics, the Asian Games to name a few. But honestly, the feeling never gets old and I never take it for granted either! It was fantastic to catch up with so many elite industry colleagues there and chat to them about the work we do on our UCFB undergraduate media programmes.”

Similarly, Tom Skippings, a BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism lecturer, was a reporter at the event for The Games Channel, a 24-hour service providing live and recorded coverage to any broadcaster that required it.

Commentating on what exactly he got up to, Tom said: “My job was to write and voice live links from one sport to the next, and perhaps more importantly, fill airtime if there were technical problems. I thoroughly enjoyed the Games; the people of Birmingham created a lovely, friendly atmosphere for the whole 11 days. The Commonwealth Games doesn’t have the scale or significance of an Olympics, but it also lacks some of the pomposity. The joy and colour of both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies proved that.”

He added: “As for the work, it summed up everything that’s great about being a sports journalist. I had to prepare well and do my homework, and then think on my feet when things didn’t go to plan. Perfect!”

Last but certainly not least, Bob Ballard was commentating on the swimming events, including Adam Peaty’s historic gold at his last ever Commonwealth Games. Given his extensive background in sports journalism, he led much of the coverage of several international stars and Olympic Champions.

Summarizing how the experience can help UCFB students, Guy finished: “When I am working at these events, it is easy for me to gather how much those in industry are aware about what we do at UCFB and the high opinions they have of the graduates we produce, ready to enter the media business. I am also now lining up two or three guest speakers from the contacts I spoke with in Birmingham to involve them in my modular teaching for the next academic year and beyond.”