From Classroom to Kickoff: School Pupils Shine in French Football Competition

S3 pupils from Marr College, Queen Margaret Academy, Kyle Academy and Prestwick Academy showcased their talents in modern languages as part of an exciting French football project organised by South Ayrshire 1+2 languages and South Ayrshire Reads, in conjunction with Ayr United Football Club.

This unique initiative has seen pupils work in groups to study French football teams as well as researching where French is spoken in the world and the origins of French-speaking football players.

Pupils were tasked with creating a video of football drills and a post-match interview entirely in French. Each group also had to create their own football team, made up of French-speaking players and a virtual logo.

Two teams from each school were invited to Ayr United Football Club on Tuesday 29 April to showcase their work to a panel of judges where a team from Prestwick Academy were crowned as the 'Best Overall Team'.

The judging panel consisted of Lyndsay McRoberts, South Ayrshire Council's Director of Education and Depute Chief Executive; Sean McDonald, a podcaster, football fanatic and linguist; Ann McDaid host of Coffee Break Languages' podcast; and Ayr United representatives Martin Tocker and Marco Russ.

Councillor William Grant, South Ayrshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Education said: "This project has been a resounding success where pupils have embraced the opportunity to learn about French football, explore teamwork and be creative. I am delighted that South Ayrshire Reads has been able to work in conjunction with Ayr United Football Club to create this impressive initiative, inspiring students to develop their modern languages skills while highlighting the unifying power of sport."

Graeme Mathie, Managing Director of Ayr United Football Club said: "It's great to have the South Ayrshire languages department in at the Ally Macleod Suite. Learning another language is such a vital part of life now and football coaching licence qualifications are starting to require candidates to learn how to communicate with people from other cultures."