On Monday 23rd March 2026, Meadow Lane Stadium hosted an inspiring and imaginative Club Author Day, bringing together local primary school pupils for a celebration of storytelling, creativity, and the joy of reading.
Held at the home of Notts County, we welcomed pupils from Greenfields Community School, Langar C of E Primary School, and Victoria Primary School.
Designed as a fully immersive literacy experience, the day combined author engagement, creative workshops, and real-world inspiration to spark a lifelong love of reading.
The event comes at an important time, as 2026 marks the National Year of Reading – a nationwide initiative to encourage children to engage with books and develop positive reading habits. Events like Club Author Day play a vital role in this mission, especially in regions such as the East Midlands, where 1 in 4 children do not own a physical book.
By providing every pupil with a free copy of a book thanks to the Premier League Foundation the day directly addressed this issue, ensuring that each child left not only inspired, but also equipped to continue their reading journey at home.
A highlight of the day was the author workshop led by Sunday Times bestselling writer Hannah Gold, known for her acclaimed novel The Last Bear. In her engaging 45-minute session, pupils explored how stories are created, from real-life research and travel experiences to building characters and plots.
Through interactive discussion and a lively quiz, pupils learned about the inspiration behind her latest work, The Lone Husky, and discovered how storytelling can connect people with the natural world. The session encouraged curiosity, creativity, and an appreciation for both literature and the environment.
The day was carefully structured to keep pupils engaged through a variety of hands-on activities:
Stadium Reporters Workshop
Pupils toured Meadow Lane and stepped into the shoes of sports journalists, writing their own match-day reports. This unique setting helped bring writing to life, combining literacy with the excitement of football.
Storyboard Adventure Workshop
In this extended session, pupils developed their own story ideas through creative games and structured activities. They learned how to build characters, shape narratives, and present their ideas visually through storyboards.
“I cannot tell you how much my child loved it. He told me in the car that he likes reading so much more now and he can’t wait to read the book. The whole day really inspired him. I know these things take a lot of organising and effort, so thank you for that. It was lovely to see him and his friends so enthused as soon as they came out of class, chatting about their day.” – Parent Feedback
As the day concluded with a closing session and reflections, it was clear that the impact extended far beyond Meadow Lane. Pupils left with new ideas, new skills, and—most importantly a new relationship with reading.
In a year dedicated to celebrating books, Club Author Day stands as a powerful example of how community partnerships, creative programming, and access to resources can come together to ignite a love of reading in the next generation.
