As the UK celebrates World Book Day today, Oxfordshire FA has announced an exciting new partnership with HATRIQA, bringing the Jamie Johnson Literacy Programme to schools and football communities across the county. This innovative initiative aims to boost literacy skills among young football fans by harnessing their passion for the game.
At the heart of this collaboration is HATRIQA’s Soccer Reader Method™, a football-themed literacy and English language learning programme developed in partnership with the University of Central Lancashire’s Institute of Education. The initiative is built around Dan Freedman’s best-selling Jamie Johnson book series, which has inspired millions of young readers and been adapted into a hit BBC television series (the UK’s most downloaded children’s TV drama on BBC iPlayer).
Football Meets Literacy: A Winning Combination
With football deeply embedded in British culture and childhood, this programme provides a fresh and engaging way to encourage reading and writing skills. The Soccer Reader Method™ features graded Jamie Johnson books, interactive workbooks, and structured teaching materials, making it accessible for children at different literacy levels.
The Jamie Johnson series, which has sold over one million copies worldwide, has already proven to be a game-changer for reluctant readers, with football stars such as England and Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham crediting the books as an inspiration.
Dan Freedman, author and creator of Jamie Johnson, expressed his excitement about the partnership:
What makes this partnership with Oxfordshire FA so exciting is how it combines the community reach of grassroots football with an innovative approach to literacy. I’ve seen first-hand in thousands of school visits how football stories can be the key that unlocks reading for young people.”
Additionally, Freedman has personally visited over 2,000 schools and spoken to more than 500,000 children, demonstrating the transformative power of football storytelling in education.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted education worldwide, leading to a decline in literacy rates and learning engagement. With many children facing gaps in reading skills, initiatives like the Soccer Reader Method™ are more crucial than ever in helping young learners regain confidence and develop a lifelong love of reading. By combining football with literacy, this programme offers an engaging and motivational approach to learning in a post-pandemic world.
Oxfordshire FA: Leading the Way in Football & Education
The Oxfordshire FA, known for its commitment to youth development through football, is proud to bring this programme to local schools and clubs.
Jonathan Duckworth, Chief Executive Officer of Oxfordshire FA, said:
Oxford being a worldwide centre of education, we are especially proud to play our part by providing support for this initiative through football across Oxfordshire
Tim Gentles, Head of Publishing at HATRIQA, also shared his personal connection to the programme:
“Having experienced playing for Crowmarsh Boys (now Wallingford and Crowmarsh Football Club) while growing up, I know first-hand the positive impact Oxfordshire FA has on young people’s lives. Being able to bring the Soccer Reader Method™️ back to my home county and work with the Oxfordshire FA to inspire the next generation of readers and players is a fantastic opportunity.”
Bringing the Programme to Schools & Clubs
The partnership is set to launch in schools, football academies, and grassroots clubs across Oxfordshire, providing teachers, coaches, and parents with exclusive access to literacy resources.
Parents, educators, and football coaches who want to register their interest and access more information can do so by visiting www.hatriqa.com/oxfa.
As Oxfordshire FA continues to champion education through sport, this partnership is set to make a lasting impact on children’s literacy and confidence, proving that football and reading truly are a winning combination.
Football Legends Endorse Jamie Johnson
The Jamie Johnson series has not only captivated young readers but has also gained recognition from footballing legends:
- Gary Neville: “If you have football-mad kids, they’ll love this.”
- Gary Lineker: “An inspiring read for all football fans.”
- Steven Gerrard: “You’ll read this and want to get out there and play.”
- Frank Lampard: “If you like football, this book is for you.”
- Jude Bellingham: “I loved watching Jamie Johnson.”
These endorsements highlight the authenticity and inspirational power of the series in connecting football and literacy.
A Personal Case Study
As a parent of a football mad 7 year old son, this is especially poignant. We tend to gloss over the impact of the pandemic closure of schools and nurseries in March 2020, especially those self-employed when it was not evident any financial support was coming.
There is a whole generation of children who missed out on important schooling, bonding and development. And this shows in current literacy rates, the National Literacy Trust reported 30% of five-year-olds falling behind in reading by 2022/23.
My son has his own literacy struggles post-pandemic, driven by a refusal to try. To be fair to him, his “home-schooling” was second priority to earning money to pay the bills, which was not easy when everything suddenly stopped and income disappeared.
I don’t blame his negative connections with learning. But luckily his love of football saved that, as it gave him an interest to apply reading, writing and maths to. He used to create team sheets from programs which helped his spelling, and I used football scores and game time to teach subtraction and times tables.
For the record, I just tried him out on the Jamie Johnson TV series, and he’s instantly disliked the school setting which has invoked associated anxiety. But we’ll persevere by skipping to the football settings and will try the books. Having the endorsement of Jude Bellingham really helps!
About the Programme Partners
Oxfordshire FA
The governing body of football in Oxfordshire, committed to growing participation, promoting diversity, and supporting grassroots football across the county. With over 20,000 players, 170 clubs, and 1,440 teams, Oxfordshire FA plays a pivotal role in developing young talent and fostering community engagement through sport.
HATRIQA & The Soccer Reader Method™
HATRIQA is an award-winning education company, developed in collaboration with UCL’s Institute of Education, that uses football as a tool to engage young readers and English language learners. The Soccer Reader Method™ is a research-backed literacy programme designed to help students develop essential reading and writing skills through the excitement of football.
Additionally, HATRIQA’s methodology addresses the global challenge of English language learning, where currently 95% of learners fail to achieve proficiency. This innovative approach makes reading accessible, engaging, and connected to students’ real-world interests.
Dan Freedman & Jamie Johnson
Dan Freedman is a renowned football journalist turned best-selling children’s author. His Jamie Johnson book series has been adapted into a hit BBC TV show and has inspired millions of young footballers to discover a love for reading. As a Premier League Primary Stars Ambassador, Dan has visited over 2,000 schools, speaking to over 500,000 children about the power of football and literacy.
The Jamie Johnson books focus on themes of resilience, determination, overcoming adversity, and the power of sport, making them an ideal educational tool for engaging young readers.
