Some of Britain's most celebrated sports figures are throwing their support behind the National Year of Reading through the newly unveiled Summer of Sport initiative. Running from June to August, the Go All In campaign aims to leverage the nation's enthusiasm for athletics to cultivate consistent reading habits among fans.
Summer Sporting Events Fuel Reading Drive
The campaign aligns with a bustling sports calendar, including Test Match Cricket, the World Cup, Wimbledon, the Formula 1 British Grand Prix, the Women's T20 World Cup, and the Commonwealth Games in August. By connecting reading to these major events, organizers hope to make literature a natural part of the fan experience.
Team Captains Lead the Charge
The Go All In Team Captains feature a diverse lineup of sports personalities: broadcaster Clare Balding, tennis legend Tim Henman, England footballer Georgia Stanway, fitness coach and author Joe Wicks, Rugby League Captain Jodie Cunningham, and F1 author and commentator Maurice Hamilton. They will share stories behind players, sports, and tournaments, demonstrating how reading can deepen fans' connection to their favorite activities.
Tim Henman emphasized the campaign's goal: "We really want to encourage more kids to read and be inspired. For me, as I've gotten older and started to read more, it's been a great way to learn about different passions and people. That experience and greater knowledge has been really rewarding."
Georgia Stanway added: "Reading has always been a great way for me to stay motivated, learn something new, and gain a different perspective. Whether it's books, articles, or stories about sport, I'm always looking for ideas and experiences that help me grow both on and off the pitch."
Joe Wicks shared his personal connection: "As a kid, exercise helped build my confidence, resilience, and self-belief, and reading can do exactly the same. I'm proud to support the Go All In Summer of Sport campaign because it's about helping children discover the joy of stories, imagination, and learning in a fun and positive way. If we can inspire even a few more young people to pick up a book this summer and realize that reading is for everyone, that's a really wonderful thing."
Reading in All Forms
The National Year of Reading celebrates reading in all its forms: books, audiobooks, match day programs, player statistics, manager autobiographies, graphic novels, comics, and digital content. The initiative underscores that there is no single correct way to read. The Summer of Sport is a centerpiece of this campaign, described as the biggest in a generation to inspire everyone in the UK to rediscover the joy of reading and embed it into daily life.
Reading Lists Available
Curated reading lists are available on the National Year of Reading website, organized by age category and specific sports like football and cricket. These lists include a wide selection of books, magazines, podcasts, and picture books.
David Hayman, Director of the National Year of Reading, said: "We're using the power of sport to inspire a love of reading for millions of people of all ages across the UK, sharing the stories behind the medals, moments, and matches. Sporting events are some of the most important national talking points of the year, moments that bring generations together."
For more information and reading lists, visit goallin.org.uk.
