Dan Freedman

Using the power of football to engage kids in reading, writing and thinking about their futures.

Dan's football career began when his dad took him to his first match when he was four. Having decided he wanted to become a sports journalist when he was 13, he built up CV of considerable work experience while he was still at school and University. In 2000, having graduated with a degree in English Literature from the University of Bristol, he landed a job at The Football Association, where he worked for the next seven years. As the FA Editor, he travelled all over the world covering the England Football Team.

In 2007, his debut football novel The Kick Off was published. It is the start of a series following lead character Jamie Johnson from his school team through to his dreams of becoming a professional player. It has been endorsed by, among others, Steven Gerrard. Dan is now spending his time writing the other books in the series and visiting schools around the country.

The Event

It is a fun and inter-active session, using kids' passion for sport to engage them in reading, writing and thinking about their future career paths.

Subjects covered are:

• Thinking about what job you may want in the future
• How to get a job in football journalism
• What it's like working in football
• How to interview international stars
• A DVD of Dan's interviews with Beckham, Rooney etc
• How to write a creative story
• What goes into getting a book published -
• A reading from The Kick Off and new book Shoot to Win

Duration: An hour (including book signing)

Technical Requirements: DVD player & Projector/TV, whiteboard/flipchart

Audience: Up to 100 (boys and girls)

Age: 8-14 years

Also Available: Football Writing Workshop

If you want Dan to come to your school for the full day or to work with a smaller group, a football writing workshop is also available. Dan will work with a class (up to 35) to help them create their own football magazine.This will hone their factual and creative writing. Members of the class will each be allocated pieces to write and Dan will individually assist and advise the pupils as they are writing.

Pupils will write:

• - Interviews
• - Match Reports
• - Book Reviews
• - Creative Writing Football Stories
• - Player Profiles
• - Opinion Pieces

At the end of the session, the class will have its own football magazine!

A workshop lasts an hour and a half.

 

Booking Information

Home: London   Travels to: Up to 100 miles outside London    Prices:   £340 Full day £240 Half day + travel expenses + VAT   Click here to book