A year six student from Kingswood Primary School near Wotton-under-Edge is celebrating being awarded Forest Green Rovers (FGR) Primary School Ambassador of the year.
George Mapplebeck, 11, was selected from pupils representing more than 100 schools, and his achievement was celebrated during a special whole-school assembly on Thursday, 7th May, hosted by a group of Forest Green Rovers academy players.
George created FGR-themed quizzes for both ambassador coach trips to Aldershot and Eastleigh this season. He also wrote an FGR book as part of his schoolwork and attended away matches from Carlisle to Southend.
George told Stroud Times: “Forest Green is my favourite club and I’m very happy to win the award. I went to my first game when I was four – we were still in the Conference League and then we went up to League Two and then League One. I think they were playing Newport at home.”
Every year, FGR recruit a team of young ambassadors to help promote the club within their schools and local communities. The ambassadors play an important role in strengthening links between the club, schools and the wider community, while encouraging positive participation both on and off the pitch.
During the visit, the FGR players spent time in the classrooms reading with the children. In support of the National Year of Reading, each child will also be presented with a new book to take home.
Wendy Collins, Headteacher at Kingswood Primary School, said: “We’re incredibly proud of George for being recognised as Forest Green Rovers’ Primary School Ambassador of the Year. He has shown real enthusiasm and commitment to the role.
“We’re also delighted to welcome the FGR players to Kingswood Primary as part of the National Year of Reading. Encouraging children to develop a lifelong love of reading is incredibly important, and this visit will be a memorable and inspiring experience for our pupils.”
George received the award from FGR Manager Robbie Savage ahead of the club’s final match of the season.
Following the special assembly, a group of year five and six children completed a ten-week Premier Reading Course with some members of Forest Green Rovers.
