Teaching

In 2009 the Arvon Foundation embarked on a new project for Under 18s that will benefit nearly 100 young people from the South and North West of England over three years. This project uses that passion for the game to ignite a life-long interest in writing and words. During a week-long residential course at an Arvon centre, young people produce work for a football newspaper, write and perform a football musical and visit a local football ground to have a look round and take part in a training session.

http://www.footballfoundation.org.uk/media-centre/

football-foundation-tv/writing-the-game/

The project has already seen some amazing results – many of the young people have achieved higher pass marks in exams than predicted, and their positive experience at Arvon is seen as the main reason for this turnaround. Writing the Game will continue with two new courses in 2011.

Here’s what some of those who participated had to say about their experience: “The experience that you were responsible for providing for us last year was nothing short of amazing. Every now and then, something happens in teaching that makes you think ‘this is a special moment’. That week was packed full of those moments, both for me and Kelly as teachers, but more importantly for those young people for whom it was literally a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Krys Kotylo, Teacher, Carlton Community College, Barnsley

“The thing I enjoyed most about the course was reading out in front of everybody as it made me more confident to do so.”

Pupil from Edward Sheerien, Barnsley

“It’s so fun and you get to meet lots of different people, it’s ace, I want to go again!”

Pupil from Estover Community College, Devon

Tutors and guests who participated in Writing The Game: Nick Stimson, Anthony Clavane, Ian McMillan, Luke Carver Goss

  • Daily Telegraph sports books of the year (2010)

    "For the year’s most successful marriage of social history and sporting drama, turn to Promised Land. Anthony Clavane’s enchanting evocation of his four decades as a Leeds United supporter. Clavane writes translucent, simple prose, full of vivid details. Leeds United becomes a prism for the city: the “New Jerusalem” that could never quite escape the stain of its industrial past. Both insightful and humane, this is sportswriting at its very best."

  • James Lawton, The Independent

    "Brilliantly sculpted. Absorbing and superbly wide-ranging. Most impressive is that, when you put down the book, you feel you know not just the story of a football team but the city it represents."

  • Henry Winter, Daily Telegraph

    "A well-written, emotional and thoughtful chronicle."

  • Praise for Promised Land

    "Clavane, erudite, educated, an adopted southerner, hardly ascribes to the Elland Road stereotype, yet there is an emotional intravenous drip connecting him to Yorkshire’s West Riding. A wordsmith’s ability, coupled with a history teacher’s instinct, and framed by a deep passion for all things from the city of Leeds, has resulted in an extraordinary book."

    Janine Self, SJA website

  • "Even if you're not a Leeds fan, read Promised Land by Anthony Clavane - wonderfully written."

    Patrick Barclay, The Times

  • "One of the best football books I've read for a long time."

    Brian Glanville

  • "A compelling read."

    Henry Winter, Daily Telegraph

  • "A riveting, and ultimately very moving book."

    Caryl Phillips

  • "Fascinating beyond mere football."

    Ben East, Metro

  • "Superbly written and a great read."

    Robert Endeacott, Leeds Leeds Leeds magazine

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