Sports stars support reading campaign

Rugby players in Wales are lending their support to a new campaign aimed at encouraging children to spend more time reading.

Players including Shane Williams joined education minister Leighton Andrews last week to launch the Autumn Heroes Reading Campaign.

A number of team members have also created video messages and posed for promotional posters.

"We tour the world playing rugby and there's nothing better to kill time than grabbing a good book. Comics, websites or even rugby programmes are fantastic for developing reading skills. Like rugby, the more you practice the better you get – so to be the best, give reading a try," Williams said.

Mr Andrews said the government is keen to encourage all children to read more, especially boys who are often more reluctant to pick up a book than their female counterparts.

This follows the launch of the Welsh government's Take Five, Read For Ten initiative, which called on parents to spend time reading with their children on a daily basis.
 

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