Cricket and reading have come together in a new literacy drive.
Durham Cricket Foundation has donated 50 copies of Incredible Cricket to pupils at White Mere Community Primary School, in Gateshead, as part of the National Year of Reading 2026, a Government-backed scheme.
The donation forms part of the Foundation's contribution to "Go All In," the National Literacy Trust and Department for Education's campaign, encouraging people to find a route into reading through the things they already love.
Graeme Weeks, CEO of Durham Cricket Foundation, said: "Cricket gives us a brilliant way to connect with children and build their confidence.
"We wanted to take that a step further by giving them something to enjoy beyond the cricket session itself.
"The National Year of Reading is about showing people that reading connects to what they already love and for children who love cricket, a book full of stories, facts and quizzes about the game is a natural place to start.
"We are delighted to give 50 copies of Incredible Cricket to pupils at White Mere and hopefully encourage them to keep reading and keep enjoying the game."
The donation brings to life the campaign message, "If you’re into it, read into it," and aims to show children how their enthusiasm for cricket can open the door to reading.
Incredible Cricket, written by Clive Gifford, is targeted at children aged seven to 10 and is filled with 60 true stories, facts, statistics, quizzes, and illustrations covering the men’s, women’s, and para games.
The books, donated to the Foundation by publisher Farshore Books, were handed out during a cricket session delivered by Durham Cricket Foundation in partnership with Chance to Shine as part of its free school programme.
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White Mere Primary School was chosen as the recipient in recognition of its ongoing engagement with the Foundation’s cricket programme.
J Archer, headteacher at White Mere Community Primary School, said: "We are very fortunate to have children who are really engaged in reading, but there are still those harder to reach cohorts of children like Y5, Y6, in particular, so knowing they are so much into sports stars, we are using the sports passion to channel it towards reading.
"The children will receive the books with absolute pleasure, they will share it with their siblings and families at home and will pursue more reading and hopefully enjoy cricket in more detail."
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