SCORES of youngsters will meet some of their sporting heroes when their academic achievements are recognised this week.
More than 100 children will be awarded certificates from Sunderland AFC players in a series of award ceremonies at the Stadium of Light.
Black Cats' stars Matt Piper and Neill Collins will get the ball rolling at a presentation today.
The pupils, aged ten to 13, have been taking part in Playing for Success. The scheme operates from the club's £1.6m education facility, the Centre of Light, and uses football as a medium to improve literacy, numeracy and ICT skills.
Joe Puech, SAFC study support centre manager, said: "Once at the Centre of Light, pupils have responded very positively to many aspects of the initiative, especially using the computers.
"The football setting at the Stadium of Light - and in particular the superb facilities in the Centre of Light - have had a massive impact on the pupils and have been a key factor in motivating them to become involved in the Playing for Success scheme.
"These awards ceremonies have marked the end of the course and I'm delighted with the progress the pupils have made."
The eight Sunderland schools who took part in the scheme this term were: Ryhope Junior, Hylton Red House Primary, Fulwell Junior, South Hylton Primary, Usworth, Pennywell, St Robert of Newminster and Farringdon.
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