Sports stars in Worthing become reading role models for children
Sports stars in Worthing are to become reading role models, helping to spread a positive, visual message about the love of books.
Children Reading for Life founder Polly Atkinson is bringing her Be Seen Reading initiative to Worthing Football Club and Worthing RFC in April, following on from a successful event in Arundel last summer.
Polly promotes a life-long love of reading and has been invited to speak at the UK Literacy Association's international conference in Glasgow in July.
She said: "Less time on screens is so important, especially for young children. They thrive on one-to-one time and books can do that in spades."
Children's author Tom Palmer has agreed to record a special message, which will be broadcast on the big screen at Worthing Rugby Football Club during the event on Sunday, April 19.
It will also be shared at Worthing Football Club, where Be Seen Reading events are taking place on Friday, April 10, and at the home game against Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday, April 11.
Polly said: "It will be very informal. We want to be very visual with reading, so children see adults, all the footballers, all the staff, just enjoying a book. We need to be role models.
"I want all the players to walk on to the pitch with a book and then walk over to the stands and give it away to the children. There will hopefully be a follow up with the club, so the children can discuss whether they enjoyed their book.
"They are so keen, it is lovely to get such positive responses to ones reading and helping with wider reading, especially with this being the National Year of Reading.
"I want to urge that you read for pleasure. The Go All In campaign is about reading what you enjoy. I may even read the opening chapter of a book on the speakers."
Once Upon Again Bookshop in West Worthing is supporting the initiative with book donations and Polly is hoping to be able to give out book tokens for children to spend in the shop.
Polly said: "Be Seen Reading urges adults to simply be seen reading in order to be role models for children. If children see others, especially loved ones, reading, they are more likely to pick up a book, or comic, or magazine, etc., and try it themselves."
She is also planning a summer event in Victoria Park with children at Heene Primary School and St Mary's Catholic Primary School, where she hopes former pupils who now attend Worthing High School will return to be seen reading alongside parents.