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Rugby Reading Champions

England rugby

Rugby Reading Champions helps children aged 9 to 11 improve their reading skills with exciting rugby-themed lessons.

About the programme

Rugby Reading Champions is a reading intervention that improves the reading skills and attitude towards reading of pupils aged 9-11 who are not meeting expected levels.

Across 10 weeks, pupils will learn core reading comprehension skills, and improve their reading confidence, enjoyment of reading and motivation to read. They'll be guided through a series of lessons based around the five core values of rugby: teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship.

What you could get

  • Rugby themed literacy resources

    Every club will receive access to ten rugby themed powerpoints written by the National Literacy Trust and a specially designed workbook, challenge poster and certificates.

    A fully funded model includes physical resources: workbook, challenge poster and certificates and a set of inspiring books as a class library.

  • Role model videos

    Videos of England rugby players, specially filmed for use in this programme to motivate your pupils.

  • Support from the National Literacy Trust team

    The National Literacy Trust will be on hand throughout your delivery to offer advice and support.

RRC

Sample resources

Click here to download the sample resources from Rugby Reading Champions including a sample powerpoint and workbook.

Download sample resources here
Rugby balls

Where is the programme being delivered?

The programme was piloted in two areas in England where literacy problems are seriously impacting people’s lives. These areas were Leicester and Sale, where we trained rugby coaches from Leicester Tigers Foundation and Sale Sharks to deliver the programme in local schools.

From 2022, Fylde Rugby Club have been continuously delivering Rugby Reading Champions to schools in their local area.

In April 2023, coaches were trained at the Rugby League team, Hull Kingston Rovers, to support raising literacy attainment in the area.

From summer 2024, the digital programme is available to all Premiership teams. If you are a rugby club interested in delivering Rugby Reading Champions please email us at sport@literacytrust.org.uk.