Three women's cricket players are joining forces with a local authority to help young children develop a lifelong passion for reading. Abtaha Masood, Florence Miller, and Cordelia Griffith have recorded special video storytelling sessions aimed at boosting literacy skills among primary school pupils.
New YouTube channel launches during National Year of Reading
The educational initiative is launching on an official YouTube channel as part of the ongoing National Year of Reading campaign. The trio were filmed reading Cricket Kidz and the Magic Ball by Ben Rispin, with illustrations by Greg David.
The story sessions are designed for children aged 11 and under, with a brand-new video story being released every month. Organisers hope that combining popular sports with engaging children's literature will make books more accessible and fun for young families.
Councillor praises sport and reading combination
Councillor Sam Journet, Cabinet Member for Education, SEND and Skills, said: “Combining sport and reading is a fantastic way to engage young people and help create a love of literacy.”
He continued: “Cricket can inspire teamwork, confidence and resilience, while reading helps children learn, explore new ideas and build important life skills.”
He added: “We're delighted to have the support of Essex Cricket for this initiative. Using stories linked to sport is a great way to make reading fun and accessible, helping more children discover a lifelong love of books.”
Essex Cricket backs literacy drive
A spokesperson for Essex Cricket said: “By sharing stories that celebrate cricket, we hope to inspire more children to pick up a book, develop a passion for reading and realise that every great adventure can begin with the turn of a page.”
To watch the storytelling sessions, visit the Essex County Council channel on www.youtube.com.
