The Eric Liddell Community charity unveils lesson plans and material to remember Eric Liddell.
Nearly 100 years on from Eric Liddell’s Olympic Gold Medal win in 1924, The Eric Liddell Community has today launched a brand-new education resource for schools at Castlebrae High School in Edinburgh. This initiative is part of The Eric Liddell 100 – a comprehensive campaign and programme of events and activities – of which Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, is the Patron.
Crafted with young people in mind, it is hoped that the school-level materials will increase awareness in younger generations of one of the country’s greatest sportsmen and preserve Eric’s legacy for many more years to come. This welcome news comes shortly after a successful launch of an online learning resource, aimed at adults, earlier in January.
Both resources have been made freely available online via The Eric Liddell 100’s website – the latest specifically designed for schools across Scotland and beyond, featuring an introductory film and a full suite of lesson plans and supporting materials. Schools are further encouraged to honour Eric Liddell’s legacy by hosting Eric Liddell-inspired sporting events, such as renaming an existing sports day to ‘The Eric Liddell Games’. A Sports Events Toolkit has also been made freely available, with customisable tools and suggestions for how Eric Liddell’s key values can be translated into regular sporting events.
Norma Prentice, Head Teacher at Castlebrae High School, emphasised the importance of the resource saying: “The Eric Liddell 100 Educational Resource provides a fantastic opportunity for Castlebrae High School and schools around the country. Not only will we teach pupils about his extraordinary life but inspire them through the values that Eric Liddell represented every day.”
Gemma Burton, Olympic Silver Medallist and PE teacher at George Watson’s College who coordinated the project, added: “It has been an honour to work on this project alongside The Eric Liddell 100. I feel extremely proud of the resource, and the materials that can be used by teachers across a wide range of subject areas, age groups and settings. I believe that Eric Liddell’s story, his sporting achievements and the way he lived his life, are an important part of Scottish history and this resource will enable teachers to share his legacy with future generations. ”
This exciting initiative is led by John MacMillan, CEO of the Eric Liddell Community – a registered care charity based in Edinburgh. John MacMillan passionately stated: “By launching the Educational Resource, we are delighted to know that the story of Eric Liddell, from his athletic achievements to his devotion to helping others, is being shared with young people in schools and other settings throughout Scotland and further afield. It is extremely important to us that Eric’s legacy lives on amongst future generations, and there is no better time to do this than 100 years on from one of his most iconic achievements.”
Retired Scottish and British athlete and ambassador of The Eric Liddell 100, Eilidh Doyle, said: “As a retired athlete, I’ve always found inspiration in the stories of those who came before us, and Eric Liddell’s journey is truly exceptional. His dedication to both sport and community service serves as a timeless example. Together with the Education Resource and Sports Day toolkit, I hope we can educate and inspire the next generation of athletes and young people. And for adults who may not have encountered Eric’s story before, or perhaps have lost touch with it over the years, now is the perfect moment to rediscover his legacy via the Eric Liddell online course and remember one of Scotland’s greatest sporting heroes.”
