Tuesday 8 March 2005
Crusaders to go on tour for Reading Crusade
Crusaders rugby players will visit three Christchurch City Libraries in the next week to encourage children to take part
in the Reading Crusade – a partnership between the Libraries and the Rebel Sport Super 12 2005 rugby team.
The library visits, which will involve children from local schools, will take place tomorrow, Wednesday 9 March, between
12.30pm and 1.15pm at both the Hornby and Linwood libraries and on 16 March between 12.30pm and 1.15pm at the Shirley
Library.
The chance to be a Crusader for a day and meet their favourite rugby heroes is expected to attract up to 20,000 children
to take part in the Reading Crusade, which aims to inspire children, specially boys, into a life long habit of reading.
Media Invitation - Reporters and photographers are invited to visit the libraries during the Crusaders visits. Dates and
times are above.
Background
The Reading Crusade is open to all primary and intermediate school children in the Crusaders franchise catchment, which
includes Canterbury, the West Coast, Buller, Nelson and Marlborough.
To join the Reading Crusade, all children need to do is read eight fiction or non-fiction books and send an entry form
to Christchurch City Libraries by 15 April. They will then be in the draw for some fantastic prizes including several
chances to be a Crusader for a Day. Every child who takes part will receive a Reading Crusade certificate, printed with
the signatures of the Rebel Sport Super 12 rugby team. The prizegiving for the Crusade will be held at Jade Stadium on
Wednesday 4 May.
More information about The Reading Crusade is available on the website www.library.christchurch.org.nz. Favourite reads
from the Crusaders and reading suggestions from children who have already entered the Crusade are included on the site,
along with the entry form and a map showing the schools that have taken up the challenge. Entry forms will also be
available from all Christchurch City Libraries from Wednesday 23 February.
This is the second time the Crusaders and Christchurch City Libraries have worked together on a Reading Crusade. The
first in 2003 attracted 7,000 entries and gained a 3M Innovation Award for Reading Literacy.
ENDS