Football Express News catches up with sports science graduate Ollie Silverton just before he boards his flight to Brazil to perform ‘The Best Job In The World.’
Freshly graduated from Durham University, Ollie Silverton has won his dream vocation, courtesy of online betting platform Titan Bet.
The ‘Best Job In The World’ was a search to discover the next potential star reporter to represent Titan Bet as their official World Cup correspondent in Brazil.
Ollie, who is 21, viewed ‘Best Job’ as a golden opportunity to get a leg up into a very exciting and highly competitive industry, and talks about how he pulled out all the stops to win the competition.
“It was just over a month ago,” he recalls, “I was sitting in my car and a friend sent me a link saying ‘check this out, this is completely made for you,’ and because I love football and blogging, and betting as well, I just had to go for it.
“I hadn’t quite finished Uni, I had one exam to go and three or four big essays to go before I graduated, but all that took a back seat while I went all out to win the Best Job competition.”
The sports science graduate utilised his social media expertise to create video content, promote himself and build an online following.
“I made a one minute video initially, to try and sell myself as the best person for the job. I then set up my own website and created two more fun videos which were more for entertainment value.
“People seemed to enjoy what I was doing and it’s been unbelievably humbling, the support I’ve had, not just from friends, but from people who I’ve never met before.”
Ollie received a phone call from Titan Bet to say he had been short listed as one of their three favourites and to invite him to be filmed at London Kings Cross station.
“When I arrived on the train from Durham, I was expecting a ten minute chat and for two others to turn up to be filmed as well, but nobody else arrived.
“When they told me I’d won, I was beside myself!
“I’ll be missing my graduation party this summer, but it will be worth it for this amazing experience and opportunity.”
Ollie’s flight touches down in Brazil tomorrow night and he cannot wait to roll up his sleeves and get stuck in as Titan Bet’s World Cup reporter.
His plans include a daily video diary along with written blog posts. He will also encourage football fans to take part in fun activities on the beach and around the streets of Rio de Janeiro.
“It’s all about meeting people and making it as interactive as possible, getting fans of all nationalities involved and creating a buzz,” he says, “I’m going to do things like penalty shoot-outs on the beach.”
With eight games to cover throughout the tournament including the World Cup final, Ollie will be right in the middle of the action, reporting from inside the stadium.
“As footballing nations go, Brazil have got to be the best and to hold a World Cup there will be spectacular,” he says.
Ollie believes England can go all the way and tips three of England boss Roy Hodgson’s newbies – Everton’s Ross Barkley, Liverpool’s Raheem Sterling and Liverpool newcomer Adam Lallana – to be the stand-out Three Lions performers this summer.
“I’m excited about seeing Ross Barkley play, he’s an unbelievable talent, and the creativity of Adam Lallana I think will play a big part.
“Raheem Sterling, who is very young and one of a kind, will terrify opposition defences.”
“What I’m looking forward to the most is experiencing the atmosphere of the final, which I’m hoping will be England v Brazil!”
We are delighted to be working with Ollie and Titan Bet and will be showcasing his reporting, blogging and video diaries right here on Football Express News. To check out Ollie’s video entries for ‘The Best Job In The World’, head over to his page on Titan Bet now!