Rotherham United Community Sports Trust are encouraging as many schools across the Borough to enter the Premier League Writing Stars poetry competition with an exciting new theme – celebrating diversity!
A new poem, Beautifully different, Wonderfully the same, has been written by poet Joseph Coelho specially for this year’s competition; to inspire children to celebrate our similarities and differences through their own poem writing.
Premier League Writing Stars is run in partnership with the National Literacy Trust and is open to all primary school pupils in England and Wales aged 5-11, and there are some incredible prizes for both pupils and schools on offer.
The judging panel includes former Premier League footballer Rio Ferdinand, singer and songwriter Olly Murs, Waterstone’s Laureate Lauren Child and poet Joseph Coelho.
Casia Wiliam, current Bardd Plant Cymru (Welsh-language Children’s Poet Laureate) will guest judge all Welsh-language entries.
All judging will be overseen by National Literacy Trust Director Jonathan Douglas, and has been open from Tuesday 9th October 2018.
The deadline for entries is Friday 21st December 2018 with the first 1,000 schools to submit poems to the competition will receive a poetry book bag, stuffed with 12 brilliant titles for your school to enjoy and keep.
The winning poets will claim some incredible prizes for their school, including an author workshop and a visit from the Premier League Trophy! Poems will also be featured in a limited edition Premier League Writing Stars poetry book.
For more information on the competition please click here.
Not to be outdone, the first-team squad and management at Rotherham Untied wanted to show off their poetry skills and send this festive message to everyone.
For more information on our work in Primary schools please email sportdevelopment@rotherhamunited.net as we are keen to work with as many local schools as possible.