Foundation Friday: Doncaster Rovers players visited Armthorpe Academy earlier this week to do their bit for the Doncaster community.
The aim of the visit was to motivate the students who are signed up to the Premier League Reading Stars programme to improve literacy.Nathan Tyson and Harry Middleton spent their afternoon after training at Armthorpe Academy engaging with year seven students whilst helping them with their reading and school work (pictured below).
After helping out in the classroom the players then took part in a question and answer session to give the students an insight into being a professional footballer. Nathan and Harry then gave up their time to head out into the playground to join in a football training session for the second half of the visit.
Students in this specific class are disengaged from reading and the aim of the afternoon was to show them that reading could be fun when linked to football or other sports. The school were also given a number of Rovers matchday programmes to read.
Ryan Wattam of Armthorpe Academy was delighted with the visit and stated how much the students benefited from the players presence: “The visit was just what we wanted and more, the students had a really wonderful time," he said.
“Both the staff and the players were brilliant and very down to earth when talking to the students. It was really great for the lads to send some time with the players and listen to their stories, especially being the role models that they are.
“The coaches and the players did more than we expected,” he continued.
“It was great to see how enthusiastic the players were taking part in the activities and having fun with the students- nothing too strenuous I should add!”
Following on from the visit, the school also purchased a number of tickets to watch Rovers take on Millwall at the Keepmoat Stadium on Saturday, many children of which will be attending their first ever Rovers game.
For more information about the Club Doncaster Foundation please visit their website here www.clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk