Cronulla Sharks back-rowers Luke Lewis and Wade Graham have joined the NRL in launching the ‘Rugby League Reads’ children’s book series.
The short stories aim to encourage reluctant or struggling readers aged 4-7, by instilling confidence in the kids to pick up a book and to do their very best.
“It’s a great initiative what the NRL have done. I know if I had these books around when I was a kid I would have read a lot more,” said Lewis.
“It’ll bring a confidence out in the kids. It’s a great initiative and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
The series aims to engage students in reading by using their interests in Rugby League to help to improve the literacy skills of the young learners.
While Wade Graham’s on-field performances are a model for skill and toughness, his off-field passion for reading is inspiring children to be the best readers they can be.
“I still read a lot, it’s big in my family. My mum and eldest sister read a lot, and that’s where I got it from. I’m always reading books,” said Graham.
“It’s good to get into reading when you’re young. You learn to stick it out with the longer books as you get older and the novels come.”
As for Lewis’s contribution to the Rugby League Reads Book series, Graham joked he was keen to see what sort of advice his senior teammate could provide.
“I haven’t read ‘Training with Luke’ yet – I’ll have to get into it and see what tips I can get.”
To see the full range of books in the Reads series, and to purchase ‘Training With Luke’, CLICK HERE
