Cardiff Blues have given their support to the Only Boys Allowed reading scheme that encourages lads to read.
Cardiff Blues have given their support to the Only Boys Allowed reading scheme that encourages lads to read.
The Blues have donated match programmes to enable the youngsters aged between eight and eleven years old to read about their favourite team and its star players. In addition the Blues have also donated match tickets for the Cardiff Blues v Munster match to be played on Sunday 9 May, 6.15pm kick off, as a reward to the most improved readers.
The scheme has incorporated fourteen primary schools and around 550 lads, and the present intake includes boys from Williamstown, Ysgol yr Eos, Cwmclydach, Llwynypia, Tonyrefail and Penygraig.
Rob Jones who is the tutor, the provider of resources and also a fundraiser runs the Only Boys Allowed group. Rob is also the person who introduces incentives to motivate the lads, and he is grateful to the likes of Cardiff Blues for their kind donations to bolster this innovative literacy initiative.
The good news is this reading project is set to continue in to 2011 and hopefully beyond, and Rob says "It has taken a lot of hard work to get finances in order to purchase books, programmes, magazines, comics and alike."
"However, it is extremely rewarding when the boys discover that reading can be educational, entertaining and enjoyable."
"The aim is to get the boys to realise that reading is an important part of our daily lives and the majority of our number have relished their experiences."
Cardiff Blues and Wales star Leigh Halfpenny added, "As a professional rugby player we spend a lot of time waiting in airports on the way to matches and resting in the team hotel."
"A lot of the players enjoy reading and I'd encourage any youngster to join the
'Only Boys Allowed' reading club."
"I get a lot of enjoyment from reading sports biographies and thought the Lance Armstrong autobiography was inspirational."
"It's great that the Blues are supporting this scheme through donating match programmes and free tickets to the most improved readers and hopefully we will see a lot of the youngsters coming down to watch the Blues."
For further information about offering a financial donation or resources please contact Only Boys Allowed via an email to [email protected]