Colchester United FCSupporters Turned Reporters
Write on the match for budding sports reporters
Pupils from Thurstable, The Gilberd and Stanway schools had the chance to try their hand at sports reporting thanks to Colchester United Community Sports Trust.
Supporters Turned Reporters, now in its third year, helps young people find out more about what it takes to be a sports reporter before testing their writing skills by reporting on a Colchester United home game.
The event ran over two days with Colchester Gazette’s Jonathan Waldron and BBC Essex sports editor Glen Speller helping the pupils to hone their reporting style.
The pupils took part in a range of written activities and also had the chance to meet some of the Colchester United players and take a look around the Community Stadium’s press area.
Once all of their match reports were complete they were considered by a panel of six judges who marked them on accuracy and flair. The winner, Jordan Alldridge from Stanway School, will now spend time with BBC sports commentator Neil Kelly at the Colchester United match against Norwich in January.
Clare Haines, CUCST’s Playing for Success Teacher, said: “The 18 pupils who took part in the activity were a real credit to their schools. They were on task, lively, focused and enthusiastic throughout both days. The standard of presentation and writing was excellent and showed what good use the students had made of the range of activities and tasks on offer to them on the learning day before the match.”
A record number of entries were received for the report writing competition by the deadline. Joint runners up were Joe Storey and James Dixey, also from Stanway School.
If your school wants to get involved please email clarehaines@cucst.org.uk
