Emily
Foundation ApprenticeCreative and Digital Media
A Foundation Apprenticeship kick-started Emily’s journey from Queen of the South supporter to social media superstar.
Emily's journey
Emily has supported her local football team, Queen of the South, since she was six years old. As a diehard football fan, Emily was eager to explore opportunities to build a career in sports media.
In her final year at Dumfries High School, Emily chose a Foundation Apprenticeship. She knew the Creative and Digital Media framework would allow her to develop her journalistic skills while gaining valuable work experience.
And there was only one place Emily wanted to complete her work placement – Queen of the South! After arranging the opportunity with the club, she stepped out of the stands and into a matchday social media assistant role.
Emily's apprenticeship
Emily used to cheer on Queens from the terraces of Palmerston Park. Now, the lifelong supporter spends game days capturing match footage, interviewing players and posting content on the club’s official social media channels.
And Emily has been a game-changing player for Queens. The Dumfries-based apprentice has grown the club’s social media following to 7,000 – a personal goal she’d set herself.
An avid social media user, Emily had lots of content ideas ready to put into play. She introduced innovative player interviews that significantly boosted the club’s engagement on social media.
Emily said, ‘Working on matchdays was a massive buzz. The players engaged with the content and I loved getting positive feedback from fans.’
What’s the best thing about being a Foundation Apprentice?
Has your Foundation Apprenticeship helped you decide what you want to do in the future?
How have you changed as a result of your Foundation Apprenticeship?
My dad brought me to my first game when I was around six years old. That knowledge and enthusiasm from being a fan helped me during my Foundation Apprenticeship.
Emily
Foundation Apprentice, Creative and Digital Media
The future
Football clubs like Queen of the South don’t always have the resources needed to run successful social media channels. But Foundation Apprentice Emily helped the Doonhamers bridge that gap!
In fact, she impressed the club so much that they’ve since taken on a new Foundation Apprentice. Now studying Practical Media and Journalism at City of Glasgow College, Emily still works for Queens and mentors her successor.
And in 2025, Emily’s outstanding work was celebrated at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards. The 19-year-old was a finalist in the Foundation Apprentice of the Year category.
Queen of the South Football Club Chief Executive Officer Dan Armstrong said, ‘Emily was brilliant – she added real value to our social media offer.’
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