What do you get when you put bookworms in a room with footy fans? 

An epic good debate. 

Is the book better than the ball? You can find out at this year’s annual Kick On For Literacy event at the Sydney Writer’s Festival on Wednesday, May 24.

Sydney Swans Board member Sam Mostyn will moderate the debate, with the Marngrook Footy Show’s Shelley Ware and comedy writer David Lawrence to argue in favour of the book, while authors Anita Heiss and Graeme Simsion will convince us to get behind the ball.

Hosted by the Epic Good Foundation, Kick On For Literacy is a fundraising event for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. It coincides with the AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round when the Sydney Swans play Marn Grook at the SCG.

Executive Director of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation Karen Williams said:

“Kick On For Literacy is an important part of our calendar helping us to raise awareness as well as vital funds to give children living in the remotest parts of Australia free access to quality books and workshop programs.

“According to this year's Closing the Gap report and the 2016 NAPLAN results, there is no significant change in the literacy levels of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in remote communities. For instance, three out of four Year 5 students are below the national minimum reading standards.

“Our Foundation is working hard to take small but sustainable steps to change these statistics. Please support us if you can.”  

Up for auction on the night will be signed guernseys from the Sydney Swans and the Hawthorn Football Club, as well as football boots in the Sydney Swans colours hand-painted by David Williams of Gilimbaa, framed drawings from the book Kicking Goals with Goodesy and Magic, and plenty more.

The event is Wednesday, May 24 at 7.30pm at the Hemingway Bar, Walsh Bay. Book online here or call (02) 9256 4200. Tickets are $35 and all income raised on the night goes directly to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.