League in Libraries kicked off again

Vodafone Warriors NRL reading captain Jerome Ropati, Jeremy Latimore, and Junior Warriors Nathaniel Peteru and Carlos Tuimavave swapped sports shoes for school shoes to host one of four League in Libraries school visits at Pakuranga Library last month. 

Reading and writing was once again on top of the Vodafone Warriors’ ‘cool list’ through the League in Libraries initiative, which aims to improve the literacy levels of Year 4 and 5 students by partnering with sports stars and encouraging children to learn and enjoy reading and writing.

Competition judge Josh Byers said: “We are impressed by the quality of entries from young Vodafone Warriors fans. It was difficult to choose one stand-out story from the 350 entries.

“It is great to see the enthusiasm of the kids as they step off of the bus at each library visit. 

They are excited and ready to get creative with the literacy activities, this shows their respect for the players and game.”

Panmure Bridge School student Khodaysa Rajabi’s winning story will be printed as an illustrated book featuring the Vodafone Warriors. The book will be distributed to local schools.

The nine-year old says she is excited that her work will be published and thinks her family will be very proud of her achievement.

Khodaysa’s story follows Jerome and his friends as they discover rugby league and pursue their passion for the game by secretly joining a rugby league team.

Her winning work earned her a surprise school visit by Jerome Ropati and tickets to a Warriors home game for her entire class.

Mr Ropati said to Khodaysa’s excited classmates: “Reading and writing is an important life-skill no matter what career path you may choose.

“It’s one of the most important aspects of my job – every day I am reading and writing game plans, schedules, even nutrition and diet plans. Literacy is a valuable life skill to learn and enjoy for your future.”

Children from across Auckland aged seven to nine were challenged to put pen to paper to write an illustrated short story or poem, creatively incorporating their favourite Vodafone Warriors player, for the chance to win one of seven special library visits with their sporting heroes.