Student athletes from USC are gearing up to share their favourite books with students from Kuluin State School during Book Week.

Members of USC’s High Performance Student Athlete program will visit the school tomorrow (Tuesday 21 August) from 9.30am to 10.30am to talk about their favourite books, join reading groups, and record messages about the importance of reading.

The media is invited to attend. The Children’s Book Council of Australia Book Week runs from 18 - 24 August.

HPSA Co-ordinator Tania Stevenson said the athletes were keen to share a message about the importance of balancing sporting success with academic focus with students in years four, five and six.

“There can be a perception that athletes might neglect their studies to solely focus on their sports,” she said.

“But these students are living proof that it’s possible, and actually healthier, to maintain a good balance between sports and academics.

“Literacy skills play into a range of sporting careers, including coaching, management, marketing and journalism.”

Kuluin State School prioritises reading through a literacy committee, and invites inspirational sportspeople to share their passion with the students.

USC’s student athletes will include Elliot Brown (skeleton and triathlon) who is studying paramedicine, Malin Gregor (pole vault) who is studying criminology, Jane Larkin (sprinting) who is studying a PhD in Philosophy, and Andre Ali (sprinting and soccer) who is studying international business.

They also travel to Fraser Coast campus to speak with the Aboriginal Girls Academy and other schools in the region.

- Janelle Kirkland