12 September 2008
Celebrity tennis fan Tony Hawks will be helping 650 Merton school children make a real racket on Wimbledon's No.1 Court when they take part in a giant ‘Reading Racket’ readathon on Tuesday 16 September.
Fourteen different schools throughout Merton will attend the ‘Reading Racket’ event, run by the All England Lawn Tennis Club-based Wimbledon Study Support Centre (in partnership with Merton Council and the Department for Children, Schools and Families) ahead of Britain’s forthcoming Davis Cup tie against Austria at Wimbledon (19-21 September).
The ‘Reading Racket’ aims to use the reading experiences of tennis stars, such as Britain’s top player Andy Murray, to motivate young people to learn to read and develop an interest in books and reading materials.
On the day the children will practise and perform a group recital of a story about a Wimbledon player, Mrs Blanche Hillyard, who ate such a ‘Fearful Tea’ during a rain delay in her 1907 Championships’ semi-final that she subsequently lost the match.
Organiser Katy Hamlin, Wimbledon Study Support Centre Manager, said: “The ability to read is a critical life skill, not just for books but all sorts of practical everyday applications. Without it a whole world is closed off, so support from inspirational role models such as tennis stars Andy and Jamie Murray really helps. Andy has already told us that his favourite book is the Muhammad Ali biography, ‘King of the World’, whilst brother Jamie has fond memories of the children’s book ‘Willy the Wimp’. It should be a memorable occasion for the children.”
Councillor Debbie Shears, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Merton Council, says: “An event of this scale that involves so many schools, children and sporting heroes demonstrates to children the significance that we place on the ability to read in today’s world. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get children fired up for the school year ahead and it’s also great to see so many of Merton’s schools taking up this opportunity to get involved.”
Ian Ritchie, Chief Executive of the All England Club, added: “Our Study Support Centre does a fantastic job to help children improve their basic skills. This event will be fun for them and should leave a lasting positive impression.”
The Reading Racket is just one of the many activities happening around the country as part of the National Year of Reading.
Event timetable:
| Date: Tuesday 16 September 2008 |
Location: No.1 Court at Wimbledon
|
| 10:30: |
Warm up with Tony Hawks |
| 11:00 - 11.15: |
Performance of story from Wimbledon ‘Mrs Hillyard’s Fearful Tea’ |
| 11.15 - 12.00: |
Readathon and follow up activities |
| 12:00 - 12:30: |
Children watch British Davis Cup players practising. |
Editors Note:
- Merton schools taking part in the Reading Racket include: Benedict, Garden, Hatfeild, Hollymount, Joseph Hood, Liberty, Lonesome, Merton Abbey, Morden, Poplar, Ricards Lodge, St Thomas of Canterbury, Stanford and Wimbledon Park.
‘Playing for Success’ Study Support Centre
- Operating since early 2003, the Playing for Success Study Support Centre, based at The All England Club, Wimbledon, is a joint initiative between the Club, the London Borough of Merton and the Department for Children Schools and Families.
- Occupies a high-tech learning zone in No. 1 Court and offers a stimulating after-school programme for pupils in Merton focussing on numeracy, literacy and IT and confidence raising activities.
- Around 1900 students in the last five years have graduated at PfS award ceremonies.
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