League And Literacy Make for Reading Warriors

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Vodafone Warrior Jerome Ropati reprises his role as the 2011 Vodafone Warriors NRL Reading Captain

Media Release March 2011

LEAGUE AND LITERACY MAKE FOR READING WARRIORS

Young Kiwis are harnessing the power of the Vodafone Warriors at a grassroots level, boosting literacy levels and engaging children, inspired by their heroes, in the activity of reading for fun. For the fourth successive year, reading is top on the Warriors’ ‘cool list’ with the Konica Minolta League in Libraries initiative. The League in Libraries principle is that if the Vodafone Warriors say reading is cool, their fans will think so too.

High on many kids’ wish lists is a chance to meet their favourite rugby league stars. To get this opportunity, children are asked to put pen to paper to write an illustrated short story or poem that creatively incorporates their favourite Vodafone Warriors player.

The best classroom entries will be judged by Konica Minolta as well as Vodafone Warriors NRL Reading Captain Jerome Ropati. There will be two winning schools from each of the four geographic regions within Auckland. The winning school will be invited to join the Vodafone Warriors players at a local library for the League in Libraries afternoon. Schools will also be assisted by Konica Minolta to transport the students to the library.

One overall winner will be selected and as a special reward, the child’s class will receive a surprise visit by a Vodafone Warriors player to announce their achievement and present them with a signed Vodafone Warriors jersey. All eight winning classes will also receive league balls, tickets to a Vodafone Warriors home game following their library visit and a laminated poster signed by Vodafone Warrior Jerome Ropati to hang in their classroom. Runner-up classes will also receive game tickets.

“Breaking free of the scrum, ball in hand, and tackling the opposition before touching down a winning try is like reading your favourite story and reaching the happy ending, before closing the book knowing you’ve done a good job,” says Jerome, Vodafone Warriors NRL Reading Captain.

Whether a ‘Backyard Legend’ or ‘Player of the Day’, the Vodafone Warriors are championing equality, playing fair and being successful. League in Libraries aims to improve the literacy levels among primary school children and make reading fun and enjoyable.

Konica Minolta is dedicated to promoting reading and writing as a valuable life skill early in a child’s development. “With strong relationships with many schools, Konica Minolta is proud to be continuing this successful League in Libraries initiative, to support child development and education and help give Year Four and Five kids throughout Auckland a hand to develop this vital skill,” says Konica Minolta National Marketing Manager Josh Byers.

“The ability to read and write is critical – it opens so many doors and expands knowledge. If our kids don’t learn to enjoy reading, there are far-reaching effects,” adds Jerome. “Being involved at a community level is important for our players, to give them an opportunity to connect with fans off the field as active ambassadors for initiatives such as League in Libraries.”

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Entry packs have been distributed to schools within Auckland and further information can be provided by Sonya Mills on 09 356 6897 or email sonya.mills@konicaminolta.co.nz. Completed entry forms and the short stories and poems can be sent to: League in Libraries Programme, Konica Minolta, Private Bag 92635 Symonds Street, Auckland. There is one entry form per classroom (with unlimited individual student entries permitted per class). Entries must be received by Konica Minolta by Friday 25 March 2011.

Winning schools will be announced on Friday 1 April 2011 by a visiting Konica Minolta representative. League in Libraries afternoons will commence in May.

Visit www.warriors.co.nz for more information.

ENDS

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