Ralph Newbrook looks at a scheme that mixes the best of sport and literature.
Have you ever wondered whether top footballers enjoy reading? Premier League Reading Stars (PLRS) is a national initiative that not only highlights Premier League players who love reading, but also which books they like and what they think about them.
PLRS operates through a network of Premier League Clubs and public libraries, running reading clubs and activity sessions for local children and parents. Each of the 20 Premier League teams nominates a Reading Champion to discuss their reading habits and recommend his favourite book. These titles form the PLRS Fixture List of which each partner library receives free copies to use on the project. Children and parents are encouraged to borrow the books on the list, hoping that a reluctant reader might find inspiration through the recommendation of a football star.
PLRS highlights 20 players and 20 titles each season, with an even split of adult books and childrens titles, and focuses on family literacy encouraging parents to read with their children. It is designed to use the power of the Premier League Clubs and players as a motivational tool to encourage children and adults to read. It targets those hard to reach groups in society that may not have shown an interest in reading, but who do have a passion for football.
The concept was first piloted in 2003 following the inception of a partnership between the National Literacy Trust and Football Foundation called Reading The Game. PLRS developed through a close working relationship with the Premier League, which is committed to utilizing players as positive role models for the benefit of the local community. Since its first full year in 2004, PLRS has developed into the nations highest profile football-based literacy initiative, attracting significant media coverage including, Match of the Day, Football Focus, The Times and Match magazine.
Since 2003, 70 different Premier League Players have acted as Reading Champions on the scheme, including Arsenals Jens Lehmann who chose The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini, England U/21 Steven Taylor who picked Keeper by Mal Peet, and Chelsea left back Wayne Bridge whose favourite childrens book is Horrid Henry and the Football Fiend. Many of the players get involved with their local PLRS groups visiting libraries, speaking to families at the training ground, or presenting certificates at end of project ceremonies. Portsmouth and former England goalkeeper David James is a particularly strong ambassador for the scheme and being the only player to have been involved in each of the five PLRS seasons, spanning three different clubs. He said of the scheme, I believe that footballers have a responsibility to act as positive role models through schemes like Premier League Reading Stars. By showing supporters that Premiership footballers have an interest in reading hopefully me and the other Reading Champions can inspire people to pick up a book. Using football as a motivating force to learn this project will attempt to break down barriers that may have stopped people reading before. Through the creation of Reading Groups, we can show what a fun, interesting and sociable place your local library can be.
PLRS holds an important and high profile role in the promotion of literacy to children and families, linking sport and the arts in a partnership, surprising sceptics who dont believe the two are a natural couple. The scheme engages people of all ages, not only into the world of reading, but also encouraging writing skills through a session on football journalism and match reporting. Through funding from Arts Council England, all participants get the chance to meet a football writer an often inspiring session where young minds are opened to the possibilities and careers that can be forged in football through a passion for reading and writing.
The scheme generates positive and enduring results, with parents often commenting on improvements in both their childs tendency to read but also, in some cases, improvements in their schoolwork. In 2006, 95% of participating children wanted to read more as a result of PLRS with 70% of participating adults saying the same. Project funding allows each child to choose and keep £15 worth of free books ensuring the reading habit is continued after the season has finished.
Ralph Newbrook is Project Manager at the Football Foundation.
t: 0845 345 4555;
e: ralph.newbrook@footballfoundation.org.uk;
w: http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk
More than 4,000 parents and children have participated in PLRS library groups since the beginning of the project and over 10,000 books have been read. Premier League Reading Stars will begin a new season early in 2008; for more information visit http://www.premierleaguereadingstars.org.uk.
The aims of Premier League Reading Stars
- To engage those children and parents who are not interested in reading, introducing them to the benefits and life opportunities that can come from being confident readers
- To give children and parents on the scheme the opportunity to borrow the book choices of Premiership players for free
- To create life-long readers
- To give children and parents on the scheme the opportunity to choose and keep new books
- To inspire children and parents through the close involvement of their local Premier League Club
- To give every child on the scheme the opportunity to meet an author or football writer