Euro Fever Grips Monifieth High School
There was a day of celebration at Monifieth High School in Angus last week as Norway defeated France 2-1 in the thrilling final of Eurofieth 2009.
Every first year pupil took part in the month long competition, created by PE teacher Paul Cunningham.
Boys and girls played together in mixed teams, with each given a country to represent, and local Scottish FA coaches put together team training sessions as part of the Bank of Scotland Soccer One programme.
The whole school pulled together as PE linked with various different departments to use football as a learning tool. In Home Economics pupils learned about players’ nutrition, they studied sports journalism in English classes, wrote player profiles in Modern Languages, and Maths lessons included fantasy football leagues. The Art, Business Studies and Social Education departments were also involved.
The competition ended with the young Norway team lifting a replica European Championship trophy, and the exciting final day was complete with cheerleaders, pipers, and even a VIP hospitality tent laid on for spectators.
Paul Cunningham said: “This is the third year we’ve run this type of competition and it’s been a great success. All of the pupils have been very enthusiastic, and they often say that lessons are more fun and easier to understand because they are football related! The partnership we have with local Scottish FA staff like Stevie Baxter really helped to make Eurofieth 2009 work.”
The competition first ran in 2006, to tie in with the World Cup. It was branded Eurofieth during last year’s European Championships, and was brought back by popular demand this year. Plans are already under way to tie the competition in with the World Cup in 2010.
Click on the video above for coverage of the finals day, and interviews with Paul Cunningham and Scottish FA football development officer Stevie Baxter.