Rugby Reading Stars

RUGBY READING CHAMPIONS 2007

For the second year running, Warrington Wolves teamed up with Padgate Library for a 6-week, national pilot project called Rugby Reading Champions. The aim of the project was to encourage family reading and to increase the use of the Library as a family resource.

This year's champions are Emily Bond, Rebekka Crowley, Shanice Eatock and Jessica Worrall, all year 7 pupils at Padgate High School. The project included lots of activities such as player bingo, a Rugby Quiz and a trip to Borders bookshop to choose and buy books that they would like to have added to the stock at Padgate Library.

The Rugby Reading Champions project was organised by Chris Everett & Cheryl Roberts from Warrington Libraries and is based on the highly successful Reading Stars campaign run by the Premier League, the Football Foundation and the National Literacy Trust. It has been a fun and successful 6 weeks and Warrington Libraries hope to run the project again next year.

Wolves star, Richie Barnett - who also visited the children and their parents at one of the Padgate Library sessions - presented the participants with their Certificates on the pitch at the recent Wolves Super League fixture versus Hull.

DADS AND TOTS READING SESSIONS

The recently launched 'Dads & Tots' Reading Sessions held at the Sandy Lane Children's Centre, are designed to encourage Dads to read with their children, particularly the Under 5's.

Warrington is proud to be one of only 10 authorities in the country which has been chosen to pilot this project and Wolves star, Mike Wainwright, and his son Joey, were invited to attend the Launch and were joined on the day by parents from the local area.

For more information, contact Miranda on 01925 425580

'RUGBY READING CHAMPIONS 2006'

Warrington Wolves teamed up with The Warrington Library Service, Padgate Library and the National Literacy Trust to help encourage families, and in particular males, to read together.

Over a 6-week period, 10 Year 8 pupils from Padgate High School participated in this pilot scheme by visiting Padgate Library with their families to take part in various activities aimed at encouraging reluctant readers and using the Library. During these sessions, the families visited The Halliwell Jones Stadium and were part of a Q&A session with some of the Wolves stars.

Mike Wainwright was nominated as the Wolves 'Reading Champion' and became more actively involved in the scheme.

Jim Sells of the National Literacy Trust said:'Sometimes fathers feel that reading with their children, which has traditionally been seen as a female role, somehow emasculates them; the reality couldn't be further from the truth. When fathers spend quality time with their children, reading, helping them to explore their world around them, and encouraging them at every opportunity, it can have positive impacts on them for life'.

Wolves players and Coaching staff recommended some of their current favourite books along with special books from their childhood and the favourites of their own children.

JON CLARKE It's Not About the Bike, Lance Armstrong
GARY CHAMBERS The Cat In the Hat, Dr Seuss
MIKE WAINWRIGHT A Golden Age, Steve Redgrave
PAUL DARBYSHIRE Winning, Clive Woodward
MARTIN GLEESON Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl
BRENT GROSE Jungle Book
LEE BRIERS Standing Tall: The Tawera Nikau Story
PAUL CULLEN Cider With Rosie, Laurie Lee
STEVE PICKERSGILL The Last Word, Jack Gibson