UNITED SHOW WRITE INTENT!

ASHTON United are helping the next generation of sports journalists hone their skills and sharpen their quills as part of an innovative new project

- Paul Martin

Literacy Kicks was established by Gareth Walker, who spent two decades as the Daily Mirror’s rugby league correspondent, and has seen children in Tameside schools showcase their enthusiasm for writing through the medium of sport, primarily football.

A selection will be at United’s Pitching In Northern Premier League Premier Division clash with Bamber Bridge on November 4 to practice live match reporting, with initial surveys showing 85 per cent of children taking part are enjoying writing more as a result of the programme.

“From the start, the feedback has been really positive,” Walker said.

“I had been playing for a few years with the idea of setting up something to engage children in writing through sport, especially those reluctant writers who might not normally immerse themselves in English lessons.