Durham Cricket Foundation has donated 50 copies of Incredible Cricket to pupils at White Mere Community Primary School, using the sport to draw children into reading as part of the government-backed National Year of Reading 2026.
The donation forms part of the Foundation’s contribution to “Go All In,” the National Literacy Trust and Department for Education’s campaign encouraging people to find a route into reading through things they already love.
The Incredible Cricket book donations are the Foundation’s way of bringing the National Year of Reading message “If you’re into it, read into it” to life, showing pupils how their passion for cricket can be a pathway into reading.
The book is aimed at 7- to 10-year-olds and packs in 60 true stories, facts, statistics, quizzes and illustrations spanning the men’s, women’s and para games, content chosen to match the age group taking part in the Foundation’s school sessions.
Graeme Weeks, CEO of Durham Cricket Foundation, said: “Cricket gives us a brilliant way to connect with children and build their confidence. We wanted to take that a step further by giving them something to enjoy beyond the cricket session itself.”
“The National Year of Reading is about showing people that reading connects to what they already love – and for children who love cricket, a book full of stories, facts and quizzes about the game is a natural place to start.”
“We are delighted to be giving 50 copies of Incredible Cricket to pupils at White Mere and hopefully encouraging them to keep reading and keep enjoying the game.”
The books, written by Clive Gifford and donated to the Foundation by children’s publisher Farshore Books (part of HarperCollins), were handed out during one of the cricket sessions delivered by Durham Cricket Foundation in partnership with Chance to Shine as part of its free schools programme.
White Mere Primary School was selected as the recipient of the donation as a valued Foundation school partner that has engaged so well with the cricket programme and embraced the opportunities it provides for its pupils.
Mr J Archer, Headteacher at White Mere Community Primary School, said: “We are very fortunate to have children who are really engaged in reading, but there are still those harder to reach cohorts of children like Y5, Y6, in particular, so knowing they are so much into sports stars, we are using that sports passion to channel it towards reading. The children will receive the books with absolute pleasure, they will share it with their siblings and families at home and will pursue more reading and hopefully enjoy cricket in more detail. ”
The donation reflects the wider aims of Durham Cricket Foundation’s schools programme, which uses cricket as a route to building confidence, teamwork and resilience alongside sporting skill.
Durham Cricket Foundation has pledged its support for the National Year of Reading 2026 via goallin.org.uk, joining organisations across the UK working to make reading more visible and accessible to young people.