Warriors make reading 'cool'

BACK TO SCHOOL: Michael Luck from the Vodafone Warriors with year 5 students from Sunnyhills Primary School. They won a League in Libraries visit at Pakuranga Library for a creative story competition.

JUNIOR: Warrior Charlie Gubb with Calvin Karsten, 9, from Sunnyhills Primary.

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Students from Sunnyhills Primary got to see a softer side of the Vodafone Warriors on Tuesday.

The League in Libraries programme held at Pakuranga Library is about making reading "cool" and improving literacy levels of year four and five students.

In partnership with Konica Minolta, there was an Auckland-wide competition for the special visit and Sunnyhills Primary in Pakuranga was one of the winning schools for their creative stories about the rugby league stars.

The students also got to take back two Canterbury of New Zealand rugby league balls and tickets to a Vodafone Warriors home game for their school.

Vodafone Warriors One Community manager Petrece Kesha, says the Warriors interact with the public as much as they can, and school visits are what they enjoy the most.

"I think they love it because the kids just really appreciate them.

"They are brutally honest and they don't treat them in a certain way because of who they are."

Team spokesman Jerome Ropati says people are surprised to learn how much community work they do.

"We have made an effort over the past five years to be a community-based league side."

"We are the only NRL team in the country so I think it's very important for us to get out and give back to the community.

"I also think it's important for the kids to not only see the rough and tough and athletic side of us, but also a side where we are able to help build a safer and better community."

Warriors fan and Sunnyhills Primary student Joshua Simpson,10, says he had a fun day.

"It's been really cool to meet the Warriors, it's not something you do every day.

"It's a big privilege," he says.

- © Fairfax NZ News