YOURS Pupils pitch questions at workshop

PRINCIPALITY Building Society has been helping to develop the skills of Wales’ future sports commentators, with a little help from former Ospreys head coach and broadcaster Sean Holley.

The exciting initiative for young people across Wales, called iBroadcast took place over three days at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium and saw pupils hone their broadcasting skills by conducting two-way interviews, offering sports commentary and analysis, and practicing their presenting talents, at the home of Welsh rugby.

The pupils used their new skills to create their own panel show, going back to their respective schools as ‘broadcast teams,’ where they will be in charge of reporting on future school events, be it sports games or art shows.

iBroadcast has been developed by Mr Holley and education technologists Aspire2Be.

Principality was able to link schools from its Business Class initiative to get pupils involved from Llanishen High School, Tonypandy Community College, Ysgol Bro Myrrdin and Ysgol y Strade.

Business Class is a Business in the Community (BITC) programme delivered by Careers Wales and funded by the Welsh Government.

James Harper, corporate social responsibility manager for Principality, said: “We are highly committed to supporting our Business Class partnership schools in lots of different ways.

“iBroadcast presents a unique and exciting development for both the pupils and teachers. It covers such a wide range of skills that will assist the pupils throughout their academic studies and their steps into the world of work and sports-based employment opportunities.”

Principality currently works with five schools across through Business Class.

Mr Holley added: “Building confidence and coaching skills has been a huge part of my working life and throughout the past 20 years or so I have learned a lot about sport, coaching and now broadcasting.

“I have a big passion for it and when this idea came to me I had no hesitation in approaching Aspire2Be.”