I have been trying to get excited about the World Cup, I really, really have but I just don't know what they're doing out there. And I don't mean in a "I could manage this team better than Fabio with my eyes shut" way. I only know what's going on in a football match when someone scores and there hasn't been much of that. Wimbledon, on the other hand, I can get excited about. So in honour of all the brave boys and girls playing with their balls, this week's top ten has a sporting theme to it.
10. Event safety manager, sports and music venue. We're starting here because it comes with the most enticing ad spiel of all time. You won't be managing just any venue, oh no. This is an "infamous" venue. I've been wracking my brains to think which one it could be, so if you get the job drop us a line and let us know.
9. Graduate headhunter, Venor Resourcing. Kerry Eustice and I were busy doing vox-pops at the Guardian Graduate Recruitment Fair last week (hello, if you were there) and there seems to be a general feeling that the graduate jobs market is picking up. With that in mind, this is quite a fun graduate role. You'll be training to be a recruitment consultant in the sports sector, which I imagine would mean you'll be finding managers and sponsorship agents and should give you opportunities for lots of "networking" at sports events.
8. Volunteer services manager, Inspired by Sport Foundation. The Foundation was set up to get the best out of the 2012 Olympic games and to make sure it helps improve the lives of young people as well as being an amazing sporting event. This role sounds pretty full-on to me, all the regional managers will report to you and it will be on your shoulders to make sure that everyone is motivated and making the most of the Foundation's resources.
7. Equality and diversity manager, The Lawn Tennis Association. The LTA looks after tennis throughout the UK, everything from Wimbledon to your local club. This is a job for a tennis nut, as part of it will be working with team and clubs to come up with ideas to raise the sport's profile. Also, I once knew someone who worked for the LTA and they got free Wimbledon tickets every year. Just saying.
6. Sport and mental health project officer, Mind. The link between physical fitness and mental fitness is so well documented that it can be hard for sports stars to admit to any mental health problems. The death of German goalkeeper, Robert Enke, last year threw this into sharp-relief. So Mind has set out to reduce the stigma. By the sounds of things you'll need to know considerably more than me about both football and cricket as those are the two areas the charity wants to target, and it's a part-time role so you'll have to be happy with just working a few days a week.
5. Ping! project manager, Sing London. I almost don't know where to start with this one, it sounds a bit like a made-up job. In short, Sing London will be setting up four ping-pong tables in "highly visible" parts of London over the 2010 summer and inviting people to play on them. And you could be the person managing this. I have so many questions about this job. Firstly, why? (although according to the job description the aim of the project is to "encourage more people to have fun by playing table tennis"). But also, do you have to be good at table tennis? Will people need lessons? How will you have to stop people stealing the bats? Who will umpire? Is table tennis really all that fun? The mind boggles.
4. Female PE teacher, Watford. Gym knickers at the ready, this is my idea of a classic "sporty" job. And the job description is one of the most enthusiastic I've read in ages. Sample quotes include: "fantastic PE facilities", "a terrific set of PE teachers" and my personal favourite, "wonder why you haven't applied already?". Well, why haven't you?
3. Curriculum manager, sport and public services. Staying with eduction for a minute, this role is with a further education college in Surrey and is one for a career climber. It's more of a strategic role so you won't be out on the hockey pitch all day, but it's a good salary and I think perfect for someone who is more interested in the administrative side of teaching.
2. PR account manager. Answering my earlier question of "is table tennis really all that fun?", it seems that it is. So fun in fact, that this role will only hire someone with good ping-pong skills. Apparently there are regular lunchtime matches that you will be expected to take part in, I guess how you feel about this really depends on whether you appreciate organised fun or not.
1. New media journalist, Everton Football Club. One of the most popular jobs combined with one of the most popular sports. As I mentioned, I know nothing about football but I can understand that if you were an Everton fan this would be a dream job. You'll be interviewing the stars and managers of the club and coming up with web, mobile and TV ideas. Probably not one for Liverpool fans though.
