UCFB Wembley student Robert Quigley has settled quickly into Brazilian life just days after arriving in South America for a month’s work experience with first division club Coritiba FC.
A huge football fan and second year BA (Hons) Football Business & Marketing student, Robert has joined the club’s marketing department. While at the club, one of Robert’s main tasks for the month will be helping to implement the new Coritiba megastore, following the club’s new sponsorship deal with Adidas.
After getting to know his hosts for the month Rhenio and Carla, Robert has already visited the club’s 40,000 capacity stadium – around 500 miles south of Rio de Janeiro – and experienced the intense passion Brazilians have for football first hand by watching two games, including a derby with local rivals Atlético Paranaense.
Robert said: “My remit for the first week was to research and find innovative methods to improve the commercial revenue of Coritiba, as well as monetising social media for the club. I also offered suggestions of how to improve the club website and social media platforms.
“As well as this, I also assisted pre-match on match day, at home to Internacional. I helped one of the people I am working with in the commercial department with the Mascotinhos de coxa – the mascots. I helped take them from their arrival place to the pitch for pre-match and then take them back to their box where their families were watching. The game was a fantastic experience for me, the atmosphere was just amazing, and the result, a 1-1 draw, was good for Coritiba.”
Robert added: “I cannot talk highly enough of the people at the club and the people I am staying with. It has been a fantastic experience so far and I cannot wait to see what the rest of my time here brings. The whole experience so far has been magnificent. Everyone is so friendly, and the culture and the cuisine have been brilliant.”
