Commentator of the Future?

Congratulations to Luis Black (L4E, year 9) who was shortlisted in the BBC Radio 5 Live inaugural Young Sports Commentator of the Year Competition.  The radio station launched the contest in April to encourage new talent and to help find new commentators of the future. It drew entries from all over the UK, with a shortlist of 18 from places including Birmingham, London, Lincolnshire, Carmarthenshire, Perthshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Bedfordshire, Cheshire, Berkshire and North Yorkshire.

The youngsters, all aged 11-15, were required to demonstrate their skills by watching a sports video clip from a given selection and recording themselves in action. Luis had chosen to commentate on a clip from a recent Arsenal match! The commentaries from all 18 shortlisted entries were played last week on BBC Radio 5 Live.

The judges included senior BBC football correspondent John Murray, sports commentator Jacqui Oatley, athletics broadcaster Darren Campbell and sports broadcaster Sonja McLaughlan.

Praising the strength of the overall field, John Murray said,  “The standard of entries was outstanding, and it was a tough job whittling it down to this final 18. We were hugely impressed by the knowledge, energy and enthusiasm that came through.”