In June 2010, Konica Minolta and the Vodafone Warriors launched the third annual League in Libraries programme in Auckland.

The Alexander Communications team was challenged to show kids that ‘reading and writing is cool’, and to encourage them to learn that reading is a valuable life skill whether they dream of becoming a rugby league player, doctor, firefighter or dancer.

Children were invited to write a short story or poem about their favourite Vodafone Warriors player for the chance to win a reading and writing session at an Auckland library with some of the team’s players. The four selected libraries that hosted League in Libraries 2010 were Pakuranga Library, Waitakere City Library, Glenfield Library and Manurewa Library.

Konica Minolta has received an overwhelming response from Auckland schools since the programme began in 2008. From just two schools, the programme grew to 50 schools (more than 500 entries) in 2009.

Each year, Konica Minolta has the tough job of choosing eight winning schools from the many entries. Not only do the students get to meet their favourite Vodafone Warriors players, but each of the eight schools receives two Canterbury of New Zealand rugby league balls and tickets to a Vodafone Warriors home game.

In addition to the library literacy sessions, League in Libraries 2010 included a surprise school visit from Vodafone Warriors NRL Reading Captain Jerome Ropati. Dropping by Northcote Primary School, Ropati presented overall winner Finn Nicholson with a signed Vodafone Warriors shirt, and tickets to a Vodafone Warriors home game for his entire class. Finn’s winning entry was a brilliant short story about the Warriors hat-trick win against the Brisbane Broncos which included colourful descriptions like ‘fighting over the ball like lions’.

Because League in Libraries Auckland received such a great response, there is consideration for a national campaign. To get the ball rolling, some of the Vodafone Warriors took the programme to one lucky Christchurch school – Central New Brighton School. Two classes were selected to meet some of the Vodafone Warriors players and take part in a League in Libraries activity afternoon. 

Results

The local community newspapers were very supportive and super-keen on the involvement of the Vodafone Warriors. We achieved excellent coverage in the Eastern Courier, Howick and Pakuranga Times, North Shore Times, Upstart Magazine, Christchurch Mail and Pegasus Bay News.

Popular children’s television show Studio 2 Live (TVNZ) were most interested in this initiative and sent host Matt Gibb along with his television crew to capture the action at Pakuranga Library. 

The clip included interviews with Vodafone Warriors NRL Reading Captain Jerome Ropati, team mate Michael Luck and stories read by participating students from Oranga School and Sunnyhills Primary School.

Vodafone Warriors Reading Captain Jerome Ropati reads with students from Te Papapa School, Onehunga

“Kevin Locke attacks the other team like he is a champion of wrestling. Steve Price is as tough as elephant skin, yet moves as slippery as a gecko. Brent Tate is like a train with no brakes – accelerating, huffing but never puffing.”

This inventive description of three Vodafone Warriors is the work of one of the many Auckland children whose creative juices are still flowing after the success of the Vodafone Warriors League in Libraries programme with two Auckland schools in 2008, and 50 schools (more than 500 entries) in 2009.

While the Vodafone Warriors aim to make their way up the National Rugby League (NRL) ladder this season, their latest endeavour off the field is continuing to inspire Auckland children to get reading and writing through the third annual League in Libraries programme, supported by Konica Minolta.

The League in Libraries initiative aims to improve the literacy levels of children aged seven to nine by encouraging them to learn the valuable life skills of reading and writing at an age where reading can become difficult.

“Konica Minolta has strong partnerships with many schools so we’re delighted to be supporting child development and education through the League in Libraries programme for a third year in a row and to help give Year Four and Five kids throughout Auckland a chance to be involved,” says National Marketing Manager Josh Byers. “The Vodafone Warriors are great ambassadors for the programme. If they say reading is cool, it means a lot in the minds of their young fans and we hope it will inspire kids to put pen to paper and get stuck into a good book.”

For a chance to meet the rugby league stars, children are asked to express their creative side by submitting an illustrated short story or poem incorporating their favourite Vodafone Warriors player.

The best classroom entries will be judged by Konica Minolta as well as Vodafone Warriors NRL Reading Captain Jerome Ropati. The top eight winning schools will be invited to meet some of the Vodafone Warriors at four special local library visits in July and August. To ensure all the winning schools get the chance to meet their favourite players, Konica Minolta will be providing transport to and from the library visits.

While the players are visiting the library, they will work with children to complete four literary activities, two of them centred on New Zealand books: Papa’s Donuts by Kate Moetaua, and Henry & the Flea by Brian Faulkner, a story about a young boy who dreams of one day playing for the Vodafone Warriors. Each child attending the library visit will receive a free copy of one of these books to take home.

The eight selected schools will also receive two Canterbury of New Zealand rugby league balls and tickets to a Vodafone Warriors home game. The student with the best overall story or poem will receive a signed 2010 Vodafone Warriors rugby league jersey.

“Working with the community is a big part of what we do,” says Vodafone Warriors player Jerome Ropati. “Players need to have more in their lives than simply training and playing, and initiatives such as the League in Libraries programme are a great opportunity to make a difference in the lives of our young people. Helping kids to develop their literacy skills is a really positive way to go.”

Schools can receive entry details by contacting Sonya Mills on 09 356 6897 or email sonya.mills@konicaminolta.co.nz. Completed entry forms and the short stories and poems from year 4 and 5 classrooms in the Auckland region can be sent to: League in Libraries Programme, Konica Minolta, Private Bag 92635 Symonds Street, Auckland. One entry form per classroom (unlimited student entries permitted per class). Entries close on Friday 4 June. The eight winning schools will be notified by 25 June.

The League in Libraries day will take place at the following locations and dates:

Pakuranga Library – Tue 20 July
Waitakere Library – Tue 27 July
Glenfield Library – Tue 3 August
Manurewa Library – Tue 10 August 

Visit www.warriors.co.nz for more information.

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