GLASGOW PRIMARY SCHOOL TREATED TO COMMENTARY MASTERCLASS FROM SKY SPORTS’ IAN CROCKER

St Vincent’s Primary School pupils earned a visit from Ian Crocker after winning a competition by recreating his legendary commentary from Scotland’s penalty win over Serbia as part of ‘Learning Through Football’, a UEFA EURO 2020 Glasgow legacy project

Pupils at a primary school in Glasgow were treated to a commentary masterclass by Sky Sports anchor Ian Crocker after winning a competition encouraging schoolchildren to recreate the infamous commentary from the night Scotland qualified for UEFA EURO 2020.

As part of the ‘Learning Through Football’ UEFA EURO 2020 Glasgow legacy project, schools across the country were invited to hone their literacy skills by recreating Crocker’s spinetingling commentary of David Marshall’s momentous penalty save which sent Scotland through to their first major men’s tournament since 1998.

Submissions to the competition were made by teachers and pupils from all corners of Scotland on Twitter using the #LearningThroughFootball hashtag.

The winning entry came from Primary 5b pupils at St Vincent’s Primary School in Glasgow and Crocker visited the school to pass on some words of wisdom and congratulate them on their achievement, together with UEFA EURO 2020 mascot Skillzy. The class submitted multiple entries, demonstrating their passion and excitement to Scotland's UEFA EURO 2020 qualification. 

As a key legacy project for UEFA EURO 2020 Glasgow, the Learning Through Football resource has galvanised pupils with varying interest in the national game by providing the opportunity to participate in themed projects which showcase the skills needed to fulfil roles within the football industry, both on and off the pitch.

Ian Crocker said: “It’s been 23 years since Scotland last qualified for a men’s finals, long before any of the kids at St Vincent’s Primary School were even born, but it was wonderful to see just how enthusiastic and excited they were about Scotland and UEFA EURO 2020.

“Learning Through Football is a powerful tool which provides teachers with a platform to use football and UEFA EURO 2020 to support schoolchildren across a number of the curriculum areas and it’s humbling to see how they’ve recreated the commentary from Scotland’s penalty win over Serbia within the programme.

“There are certainly some budding commentators at St Vincent’s and I hope they get the opportunity to recreate more special moments when Scotland conquer UEFA EURO 2020!”

Ian brought further excitement by donating his official match notes of that magical night in Serbia to the school. 

The digital teaching tool, which was developed in line with the Curriculum for Excellence, provides free downloadable resources for teachers to use in their classroom environment. Exploring the world of football commentary has proved a popular hit amongst pupils and has helped them to develop their literacy skills.

Vincent Gillon, St Vincent’s Primary School head teacher, added: “This visit from Ian was fantastic for the kids and it’s really brought it home that the competition starts this week.

“We have children from all over Europe in our school and there’s so much good banter between the children and the staff – lots of excitement!”

Jennifer McFadden, Primary 5b teacher, added: “When the kids found out they’d won they were absolutely buzzing! They are so excited for the EUROs and have made their own timetable and been researching the players this term. Learning Through Football has been a great way for them to enjoy the EUROs.”

For more information on the Learning Through Football legacy project, visit: http://www.euro2020.scottishfa.co.uk/learning-through-football