Saddlers players Nicky Devlin and Joe Edwards visited Lower Farm Primary School yesterday, to speak about the importance of reading.
Walsall mascot Swifty also joined the pair at the school in Bloxwich, as they read the ‘Swifty’ story book to Reception, Year 1 and Year 2.
The players later met Key Stage 2 children for a question and answer session focused on the importance of reading, before moving onto some football-based questions.
Joe Edwards said: “I’ve been reading a lot more since having my injury and I think it’s vital, especially for children, to keep improving those skills.
Nicky Devlin added: “Even as footballers we still read reports on other teams, do reviews and so on. Reading really is important in any walk of life so the earlier they can get into that the better.”
The school also received 100 of the ‘Swifty’ books for children.
Alex Moore, Premier League Primary Stars Officer at Walsall FC Community Programme, said: “‘Today has been a good inspirational tool to make the children realise how important reading is in everyday life and show them how it’s used in sport.
“The Premier League Primary Stars Reading Stars initiative aims to use the power of football to inspire pupils to read more, and it was great to have the players here to share their experiences.”
To find out more about PL Primary Stars, visit plprimarystars.com, or to get your primary school involved email paul.larvin@walsallfc.co.uk.
