Leeds United Women's striker Amy Woodruff paid a special visit to one of the Leeds United Foundation's National Year of Reading events at Elland Road recently, as part of the Premier League Charitable Fund - Pathways to Success programme.

The educational session hosted by coaches from the club's official charity aimed to inspire reading in secondary school students, with the help of the Leeds United Women's first-team player, the National Literacy Trust and a number of guest authors.

The Foundation wanted to offer an exclusive day at Elland Road where pupils had the opportunity to meet with authors and artists who they could relate to. Both Nathanael Lessore, a multi-award-winning author, and Paul Sommerville who is the author of the Guardian of the Stone trilogy, had other jobs before becoming authors showing students to never give up on their dreams.

Lee Buccilli, a portrait artist, was also in attendance to showcase another side of reading and literacy. Whether it be creating characters, front covers, or the advertisement process, all books require people who are creative and passionate about the work they are doing.

Amy Woodruff, who was Leeds United Women's Player of the Year for the 2024/25 campaign, joined the session in the afternoon, with plenty of aspiring footballers in the cohorts on the day. Amy was on hand to join three different workshops with the children, including discussions around art and creative writing, and there was also time for a Q&A with students from Garforth Academy and Abbey Grange.

After the session, Woodruff said: "There's so much that the club does that you don't really get to see, so there's a lot behind the scenes. But when you get involved in it, it's nice to show how much Leeds United and the Foundation does for children and their development and showing them opportunities.

"Coming to Elland Road, getting involved in World Book Day, it just gives the young people a good chance to have different experiences, and I try and get involved as much as I can.

"When you can see kids laughing and smiling and asking questions, it brings their confidence out. You can just tell they're having a good day and it makes you feel good too."

For more information on the work being done through the Leeds United Foundation with local secondary schools, please contact [email protected].