MELBOURNE has launched its ‘Read and Write like a Demon’ literacy program for 2011.

Read and Write like a Demon offers students the opportunity to participate in reading and writing workshops with the Melbourne Football Club.

Introduced as a pilot program in the City of Casey in 2009, the Read and Write like a Demon program aims to celebrate children’s connections with literacy and encourages them to read and write.

The program is a two-year model; the first year being the Read like a Demon component and the second year being the Write like a Demon component.

In 2011, the program will be extended to the City of Bayside and be delivered to six schools and will continue in the City of Casey region, reaching 15 primary schools.

The Read and Write like a Demon program has four structured sessions, one parent/teacher session, a Blog and the Demon Day Out reading and writing competition.

The Read like a Demon Blog offers a forum to promote books and reading to children aged 7-12 years, giving them opportunities for online contributions.

The RLAD Blog (www.melbournefc.com.au/readlikeademon) offers its participants and the broader community to read and comment on various books and allow students to post book reviews.

Cale Morton and Colin Garland are the program’s ambassadors, supporting and promoting the importance of reading. Both players are actively involved in the program, encouraging students to rediscover their local libraries and passion for reading and writing.

The program is a joint partnership between Melbourne Football Club, Casey Cardinia Library Corporation, Bayside Library services and publisher Hardie Grant Egmont.

This year, Read and Write like a Demon also welcomes new Program Partner, Officeworks.

“Officeworks is pleased to support such a valuable community initiative which supports children’s literacy skills and inspires kids towards a love of reading,” Officeworks national marketing manager, David Llewellyn said.

“As a business, we’re committed to supporting the educational needs of Australia's children as well as their educators, teachers and parents, and Read and Write like a Demon is a key component of this commitment”.