LFC U18s team up with author to help educate youngsters

Dan Freedman read excerpts from his latest novel ‘Born to Play’ with the youngsters and the Reds’ U18 side as part of the Academy’s reading partnership with the local school.

Having already visited the Kirkby site in November last year, Freedman told the tale of new character Jamie Johnson, whose story reveals the personal and sporting challenges that he has to overcome to become a professional footballer.

After reading to members of Neil Critchley’s U18s squad, the writer then delivered a workshop about the importance of reading to Kensington Primary School, before presenting books to Liverpool’s U9s group.

Photos: U18s team up with author to educate youngsters

Critchley said: “It was great to be able to invite Dan back to the Academy and get our U18 squad involved in reading with Kensington Primary. The lads were really impressed by the level of reading by the children and the players being read to by the kids highlighted the importance of getting a good education to the children.”

Freedman, who also wrote ‘Skills from Brazil’, added: “It’s a real honour to be invited to work with Liverpool FC again. Our aim is to use the huge power of football and books to encourage young players from the club and also pupils from local schools to get into reading and pursue their goals on and off the pitch. 

“We talked today about how reading can help you to express yourself and how engaging with stories can help you to learn about life and yourself. Words can take you to some great places too. I wanted to be a footballer and, although I wasn’t as good as these young players, I still got to go to two World Cups as a journalist. 

“Using our passion for football can unlock some great opportunities. These young Liverpool FC players are the real Jamie Johnsons so it’s great to meet them and hear a little more about their world.”