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New research reveals a third of boys struggle to find books that interest them
14 Apr 2010
Launch of football and literacy initiative Premier League Reading Stars 2010 aims to inspire males to read
A new study by the National Literacy Trust* of 17,089 pupils aged from eight to 16 has revealed that almost one-third (32.3%) of boys agree with the statement ‘I can’t find anything to read that interests me’.
The finding comes as the National Literacy Trust and the Premier League launch the 2010 Premier League Reading Stars (PLRS), an initiative that uses Barclays Premier League players to encourage families to share stories together and particularly inspire boys who wouldn’t normally enjoy reading. Research** also finds that over a quarter of boys (28.3%) say sportspeople inspire them to read. The PLRS project hopes to utilise this finding by showing them their football heroes enjoy reading for pleasure.
The project sees the 20 Barclays Premier League clubs nominating a player as their Reading Star. Each player selects their favourite children’s or adults’ book to create a 20-strong book recommendation list. Football clubs adopt a library, which receives free copies of all the titles and gives families the opportunity to take part in library sessions where they can meet their football heroes and a published author.
Over 16,000 children and parents have participated in PLRS since the scheme began in 2003 and over 25,000 books have been read. The list of 20 book loving footballers who have signed up to the PLRS club in 2010 includes David James (who is involved for a record eighth year), Shay Given, Gary Neville, Marcus Hahnemann, Mark Schwarzer and Leighton Baines.
The National Literacy Trust research report also found that a fifth (19.4%) of young people who read below the expected level for their age agree with the statement ‘reading is more for girls than boys’. By harnessing the power of football, an obsession for many young boys, PLRS is inspiring them to try books recommended by the football stars they respect and admire.
Jonathan Douglas, Director of the National Literacy Trust, said: “National literacy levels are being undermined by the fact that one-third of boys can’t find anything to read that interests them. The Premier League Reading Stars initiative enables us to reach new audiences, inspiring them to read through their passion for football.”
He added: “We absolutely believe initiatives that make literacy relevant to communities with low literacy levels are key to increasing reading and writing skills. That’s why in the lead up to the general election we are calling on political parties to support projects like these and to adopt policies that will make a difference to literacy as outlined in our Manifesto for Literacy.”
Sir Dave Richards, Chairman of the Premier League, said: “With Premier League Reading Stars, we hope to be able to use footballers’ favourite book choices as a way of inspiring families to read together. It gives players the opportunity to act as positive role models and shows that by using the power of football we can successfully change people’s attitudes to reading.”
To date 111 Premier League players have acted as Reading Stars since the scheme began in 2003, with many footballers who not only enjoy reading regularly, but see it as an essential part of family life. PLRS is also proving its long-term benefit, with 93% of children who took part in the 2009 project saying that they read more regularly as a result and 89% of parents said they would go to a library more often.
England and Portsmouth goalkeeper David James, said: “I truly believe in the power of the Premier League Reading Stars initiative and I am honoured to be the only player to have been involved in every year of the scheme. A love of reading is so important at all ages and if footballers can help to inspire young people to read more, then projects like PLRS really can make a difference."
Wolverhampton Wanderers goalkeeper, and dad of two, Marcus Hahnemann, said: “The kids’ favourite one at the moment is The Diary of a Wimpy Kid. We spend a lot of time together reading which is really enjoyable. From the education point of view reading is the basis for everything. Once you can read, and read quickly, everything else becomes easier.”
This comment is supported by the fact that 82% of parents felt that their child’s schoolwork had also improved since participating in the PLRS scheme, with 95% of parents also commenting that PLRS gave them an opportunity to bond with their child.
Some players have even turned their hand to writing. Fulham goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer is currently writing the third title of a fictional football series called Megs Morrison: Megs and The Crazy Legs. Mark, who co-writes the books with fellow Australian Neil Wallace, said: “This book tackles more of the social issues affecting countries around the world. Hopefully many young readers from immigrant families might be able to relate to the story, as I’ve used some of my experiences of growing up in Australia when my family moved there from Germany. The series is based on football but more importantly addresses how young people growing up integrate, make friends, and deal with everyday life.”
ENDS
For further information or to arrange an interview with the National Literacy Trust Director Jonathan Douglas please contact Anna Lindsay, National Literacy Trust Public Relations Officer on 0207 820 6256 or at Anna.Lindsay@literacytrust.org.uk
Notes to Editors
*The full research report will be published in summer 2010.
**National Literacy Trust study on role models: Reaching out with role models: the impact of role models on young people’s reading behaviour, Clark, Dugdale and Osbourne, April 2009. The study questioned 2,176 pupils at primary and secondary schools.
PLRS
The PLRS scheme has been developed as part of a partnership between the National Literacy Trust, Football Foundation and the Premier League, and also receives funding from Arts Council England. The project will be supported by a series of family reading groups at libraries across the country.
A full list of book choices selected by the Reading Stars is below.
All player quotes and pictures are available from the Premier League Press Office (contact details below).
For the second season running, any school, library, youth club or football team can get involved with Premier League Reading Stars by taking part in The PLRS Challenge – a free poster resource challenging groups to read 100 books as a team in order to win Premier League prizes. Posters can be requested free of charge at www.premierleaguereadingstars.org.uk.
The Premier League
The Premier League and its clubs are involved in a wide range of projects that use the power of football to raise educational standards, tackle social exclusion and promote community involvement. As well as being one of the main funding partners of the Football Foundation, the Premier League supports a number of other programmes including Playing for Success and The Prince’s Trust Football Initiative www.premierleague.com.
The National Literacy Trust
The National Literacy Trust initiative, Reading The Game (RTG), works with professional football to promote literacy and uses the motivational power of football to encourage reading for all ages. RTG is largely funded by the Football Foundation and works in partnership with the Premier League, the PFA, the FA, the Football League, the Department for Children, Schools and Families, and Playing for Success. www.readingthegame.org.uk
The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity that transforms lives through literacy. We believe that society will only be fair when everyone has the literacy skills they need to communicate, to fulfil their potential and to contribute more to society. We campaign to improve public understanding of the vital importance of literacy, as well as delivering projects and working in partnership to reach those most in need of support.
To help us transform lives through literacy, you can make a donation. To find out how visit http://www.literacytrust.org.uk/About/donate.html
National Literacy Trust is a registered charity no. 1116260, and a company limited by guarantee, no. 5836486. Registered in England and Wales. Registered address: 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL. Tel: 020 7587 1842.
The Football Foundation
The Football Foundation is dedicated to revitalising the grass roots of the game, constructing modern football facilities, developing football as a force for social cohesion and as a vehicle for education in communities throughout the country. Funded by the Premier League, the FA and the Government, the Football Foundation is the nation’s largest sports charity, having already funded more than 5,000 projects worth over £600 million. www.footballfoundation.org.uk
PREMIER LEAGUE READING STARS 2010
|
PLAYER |
BOOK CHOICE |
AUTHOR |
|
|
|
|
|
Lukasz Fabianski |
The Godfather |
Mario Puzo |
|
Curtis Davies |
McMafia |
Misha Glenny |
|
Craig Gardner |
Astrosaurs |
Steve Cole |
|
Paul Robinson |
Stick Man |
Julia Donaldson |
|
Paul Robinson |
It's Not About the Bike |
Lance Armstrong |
|
Wade Elliot |
The Falcon’s Malteser |
Anthony Horowitz |
|
Paulo Ferreira |
The Alchemist |
Paulo Coelho |
|
Leighton Baines |
The Innocent Man |
John Grisham |
|
Mark Schwarzer |
Open |
Andre Agassi |
|
Boaz Myhill |
Where the Wild Things Are |
Maurice Sendak |
|
Yossi Benayoun |
Dead Ball |
Tom Palmer |
|
Shay Given |
The Da Vinci Code |
Dan Brown |
|
Gary Neville |
The One That Got Away |
Chris Ryan |
|
David James |
Mini Sagas |
Carole Hartwell |
|
Danny Higginbotham |
Fantastic Mr Fox |
Roald Dahl |
|
Andy Reid |
Dubliners |
James Joyce |
|
Carlo Cudicini |
Cirque Du Freak |
Darren Shan |
|
Jonathan Spector |
Huckleberry Finn |
Mark Twain |
|
Emmerson Boyce |
The Biggest Fight |
Michael Watson |
|
Marcus Hahnemann |
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid |
Jeff Kinney |
