The visitors talked about the Sea Eagles Read program, giving children the opportunity for face-to-face reading sessions and showing the benefits of reading for fun and literacy.

Manly have earned national recognition for their phenomenally successful Sea Eagles Read program, aimed at improving literacy rates in primary schools.

The Sea Eagles, along with founding partner The State Library of NSW, have been named NSW Reading Ambassadors for the 2012 National Year of Reading.

The Sea Eagles Read program uses first grade rugby league players as mentors and tutors for weekly reading sessions in public, Catholic and independent primary schools.

Players are identified as Reading Captains and matched to one class of students for a term, where they participate in reading sessions, set challenges and answer questions about their own reading habits.

Developed seven years ago, the groundbreaking program is now embedded in the culture of the Manly Sea Eagles and continues to make a positive difference with children of all ages.

Sea Eagles Read was recognised as the 2011 NRL Community Club Program of the Year. This year the program is being expanded to more remote communities with players taking part in live video conferencing.

Children at home or at school, anywhere in the country with internet access, will have the opportunity to read a book with a Sea Eagle or Sea Bird online.

As part of their role as NSW Reading Ambassadors, the Sea Eagles visited Warren, Gilgandra, Coonamble and Coonabarabran this week giving children the opportunity for face-to-face mentoring and building ongoing relationships with the local communities.