Children in Inverness are being offered a free ticket to watch Caley Thistle simply by reading four books from their local library.
High Life Highland has joined forces with Inverness Caledonian Thistle Community Trust and Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC to launch the 4 4 2 Reading Challenge for primary school children aged five to 12.
Caley Thistle players Remi Savage and Alfie Stewart joined Community Trust coaches Kieran Watson and Alex Geddes at Inverness Library on Monday 28 September to officially launch the initiative.
The idea is wonderfully simple, with children choosing books that interest them, reading them and returning them to their library.
They receive a sticker for every book successfully read and returned, with four stickers completing their challenge card.
That completed card can then be exchanged at the Caley Thistle ticket office for a free match ticket, while parents and carers can buy discounted adult tickets for participating home fixtures.
The challenge is available through Inverness, Inshes and Culloden libraries.
It is part of a national initiative developed and run by the Scottish Professional Football League Trust in partnership with the Scottish Library and Information Council.
The aim is to use children’s enthusiasm for football to encourage them through the library doors and help establish positive reading habits.
Kieran Watson from the ICT Community Trust said:
“We know that some children connect better with reading when it involves material about a subject they already love or if there is a strong incentive, such as in this case tickets to a football game.
“We are really excited about this collaboration with High Life Highland Libraries and look forward to seeing lots of avid young readers at games this season ahead.”
Julie Corcoran, Head of Libraries at High Life Highland, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to be teaming up with Caley Thistle on this exciting initiative.
“Reading and sport both have the power to inspire, build confidence and bring people together, so this partnership is a fantastic way to encourage children to develop a love of books while connecting with the excitement of football.
“We hope lots of families will get involved, visit their local library and discover just how enjoyable reading can be.”
Families wanting to take part can register at Inverness, Inshes or Culloden libraries and collect a 4 4 2 Reading Challenge card before choosing their books.
Four books later, there could be a seat at the football waiting for them.
Anyone interested in taking part is encouraged to speak to staff at their local library
