New reading programme

Players from the ice hockey team paid a visit to Ballinderry and Pond Park Primary Schools to launch the initiative.

The session involved the players reading one of the two new Giants books; ‘Lollipops for Breakfast?’ which has a healthy eating message, and ‘Just Like Me!’ a story about making different types of friends. This was followed with puppet making and quizzes using the characters in the book.

The programme encourages the children to think about their choices and to have fun reading by providing each school receives copies of the books, quizzes and activities to encourage children to continue to consider and enjoy the positive messages in each story. Each child will also receive a ticket to any Giants home game, courtesy of Tesco.

Original Belfast Giants player and now General Manager, Todd Kelman believes this programme really has the potential to inspire children to read. “Books and reading can open up different worlds and imagination for children,” he said. “Our programme aims to help to improve literacy levels in schools, meaning children are able to learn while they are having fun. We are really excited to deliver this programme to over 1500 children this season.”