A number of Nanaimo Clippers will be downtown next weekend as part of an event that promotes literacy and physical activity.
On Jan. 24, members of the Nanaimo Clippers will take part in Score With Reading at Harbourfront Library.
The event will see the junior A players read some of their favourite books and participate in a street hockey game at Diana Krall Plaza.
Jason Kuffler, event organizer and Harbourfront librarian, said Score With Reading is a great excuse to bring a child to the library and combines literacy with sport.
“The thing I like about that is that it is balancing the physical activity with literacy,” Kuffler told the News Bulletin.
Score With Reading began two years ago after Kuffler was looking for a way to introduce and attract boys to the library. Last year’s event, which took place on Gabriola Island, was the first year the event included street hockey.
“The thing that amazed me last year was there were a lot of younger boys that came without their parents,” he said.
Kuffler explained that Score With Reading is a great way to introduce young people to the library.
“These are guys that aren’t necessarily going to make the NHL … but what they are focused on is doing well on their SATs, continuing to become professional athletes and play hockey really well, but the thing they want to do is get signed to a Canadian or American school.”
Kuffler said the kids still hold members of the Clippers in high regards.
“It was pretty cool to see that even at that level of hockey, kids look up to these guys and see them as role models,” he said.
Score With Reading takes place on Saturday (Jan. 24) at 1 p.m. For more information, please visit www.virl.bc.ca.
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