Everton Football Club’s Reading Star Tim Cahill was given the Royal seal of approval recently.
The Blues’ reading champion was presented with a certificate signed by Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Cornwall, by a group of children who have all benefited from the National Literacy Trust and Premier League’s innovative literacy programme, Reading Stars.
Pupils from Norman Pannell Primary School in Netherley visited the Club’s training facility Finch Farm recently to present Tim with the certificate to mark his support for the scheme.
Earlier this year Cahill visited a class of 10 and 11-year-olds from Norman Pannell to promote the importance of reading and was delighted to see the young people again and hear about their progress.
Tim, who is also Everton in the Community’s player ambassador for Education, said: “It was fantastic to see the kids again and I am delighted to hear how much they have enjoyed reading since starting the programme.
“I am honoured to receive this certificate from the Duchess of Cornwall and be able to help promote literacy.”
The Premier League’s Reading Stars initiative uses the power of football to encourage young people to read.
The national football-themed scheme operates with each club nominating its own 'Reading Star' - with stars selecting their favourite children’s and adults’ books to create a mini library of recommendations. The programme is divided into 10 different fixtures to stimulate interest in reading and cover many topics from the National Curriculum.
The 20 ‘Reading Stars’ each took time to record messages and literacy challenges, so that any child with internet access can watch the unique films in which the Premier League players set 100 literacy challenges, explain why they picked their favourite books and what they enjoy about reading.
Children completing challenges win prizes, while a child completing all 100 will get the chance to win signed memorabilia.
For more information about the Premier League Reading Stars initiative, visit premierleaguereadingstars.org.uk.
