Premier League Writing Stars is back!
The Premier League's poetry competition returns for a second year, giving schoolchildren across England and Wales the chance to display their creative writing skills.
PL Writing Stars encourages children aged 5-11 to write poetry in all its forms, including lyrics or a rap, and this year the competition is based on the theme of diversity.
Sign up for PL Writing Stars
Judging the entries will be former Premier League footballer and now BT Sport presenter Rio Ferdinand, singer and songwriter Olly Murs, Waterstone's Children's Laureate Lauren Child, and poet Joseph Coelho.
Casia Wiliam, current Bardd Plant Cymru (Welsh-language Children's Poet Laureate) will guest-judge all Welsh-language entries.
'Extraordinary response'
"We were thrilled by the response to the inaugural Premier League Writing Stars poetry competition," said Premier League Executive Chairman Richard Scudamore.
"To receive more than 25,000 poems written by primary school children from across England and Wales was extraordinary. We hope that with the excellent judging panel we have this year, more children will be encouraged and inspired to write creatively.
"This year's theme, diversity, is hugely important to us as an organisation and to all our clubs.
"The Premier League has players and fans from all over the world and the competition is open to everyone, everywhere. We hope that comes through in the poems written for this year's Premier League Writing Stars and look forward to reading the entries."
To inspire children, Coelho has created a bespoke poem titled, Beautifully different, wonderfully the same.
The poem has been read by stars from the worlds of football, entertainment and literature who are backing the competition.
'It will help kids discuss diversity'
"Diversity is a really important topic for young people to explore and write about, so I'm very excited to be a part of this year's Premier League Writing Stars judging panel," said Rio Ferdinand.
"As a former Premier League footballer, I've shared a dressing room and a pitch with people from different countries, cultures and backgrounds.
"Football has an amazing ability to unite us, as players, as fans and as people.
"As a parent with an interest in poetry, I think Writing Stars can inspire children to openly discuss and celebrate their differences and similarities both at home and in the classroom."
Murs support
Olly Murs added: "I love writing songs, so I hope that Premier League Writing Stars will encourage children across England and Wales to get writing.
"I am a massive football fan, so this poetry competition brings together two of my biggest passions and I can’t wait to read the poems. Good luck!"
Primary school involvement
The first 1,000 primary schools to enter will receive a poetry book bag containing 12 different titles.
Entries will be considered against a range of criteria including creativity, tone and originality.
The winning poems will be published in a limited-edition book. Other prizes include author-led writing workshops and Premier League Trophy school visits.
Teachers have until Friday, 21 December to submit their pupils' work. Winners will be announced in March 2019.
