Warriors fire young literary imaginations

More than 500 pupils from 40 Auckland schools have written stories or poems about their favourite Warriors rugby league player, hoping to be among those selected to meet team members.

The Rugby League Reads programme was extended to Year 4 and 5 students at all schools in the Auckland region after a successful trial in two schools last year.

Organisers hope the sporting heroes can help improve literacy.

One of the competition judges, Brent Jameson - representing sponsor Konica Minolta - said he was surprised by the standard of the entries.

"We've had a fantastic response. The imagination's been really outstanding."

Story subjects had ranged from rugby league to how the Warriors had helped pupils overcome bullying, he said.

Browns Bay School Year 5 teacher Amie O'Ryan said her pupils were enthusiastic about the project and the prize.

"They were really, really excited about doing it."

Miss O'Ryan said many of the boys in her class played rugby league and were huge Warriors fans.

"They knew all the players already. They're writing about their idols."

The eight classrooms judged as having the best entries will meet some of the team when they visit local libraries in August.

The author of the best story or poem will win a signed Warriors jersey.

Winners will be announced in about two weeks.