Latest news with #Duff
Scoop
15 hours ago
- General
- Scoop
Duffy Books In Homes Celebrates 15 Million Books Delivered
Press Release – Duffy Books in Homes Duffy Books in Homes (DBIH) has reached a significant milestone, with 15 million books delivered into the hands of Kiwi kids since its founding in 1994. Each year, nearly 100,000 'Duffy Kids' across the country receive six brand-new books to own and cherish, thanks to the ongoing support of more than 200 funding partners, donors, and supporters. Founded by author , the programme aims to break the cycle of 'booklessness' and promote literacy by fostering a love of reading from an early age. 'This was what I dreamt of more than 30 years ago when I founded Duffy Books in Homes,' said Duff. 'It has been a privilege to see how DBIH has helped promote literacy, instil a love of books, and give children a real sense of ownership over their learning. We couldn't have done this without our amazing team, in-school coordinators, role models, and especially our funding partners and supporters. A huge thank you to all who have been involved over the last 30 years.' The Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) study, highlights this significance with the study, which tracked over 6,000 children, finding that homes filled with books has a positive impact on how often children read and how much they enjoyed it. Literacy rates can be a strong predictor of the economic and career prospects of young people when leaving school. Regardless of what job or career children aspire to do, they need to be literate. DBIH General Manager, Linda Vagana says that ' We're proud that our programme has been able to deliver 15 million books to kids (and counting). Recent research suggests that children who love reading often develop stronger comprehension and writing skills, greater general knowledge, and positive attitudes toward learning. These foundational skills and attitudes are essential for lifelong learning and personal growth.' The recent transition from the decile system to the Equity Index (EQI), has made 160 more schools eligible to join our programme – which is a lot of children without access to books. Our supporters help us deliver brand new books into nearly 100,000 Kiwi kids hands through their school. Books which they themselves choose and are theirs to keep for life. Ms Vagana adds, ' The support the programme has received in the past 31 years, means that hundreds of thousands of Kiwi children have been able to increase their literacy which has had a positive outcome on their lives. These children have become adults who inspire a love of reading and can continue this positive cycle for generations to come. Our mission remains focused on inspiring and empowering a nation of successful tamariki through a love of reading and book ownership. With rising costs and increasing demand, we're calling on new funding partners and donors to come on board. Now, more than ever, their support is crucial to keeping the programme thriving.' Prospective partners and supporters are encouraged to visit to learn how they can support the DBIH mission. About Duffy Books in Homes Duffy Books in Homes is a not-for-profit organisation working with over 550 schools and more than 260 early childhood centres around Aotearoa New Zealand. The organisation was created in 1994 and aims to inspire a love of books in children, so they become adults who inspire a love of reading. They do this through their literacy programme where schools in priority communities are given the option to become a 'Duffy school'. Students at Duffy schools receive 6 books per year to take home and own. Duffy Books in Homes has a small team in Auckland, with over 200 funding partners and supporters across New Zealand. The programme has been so successful, it has inspired offshoot programmes in Australia and the USA.
Scoop
17 hours ago
- General
- Scoop
Duffy Books In Homes Celebrates 15 Million Books Delivered
Duffy Books in Homes (DBIH) has reached a significant milestone, with 15 million books delivered into the hands of Kiwi kids since its founding in 1994. Each year, nearly 100,000 'Duffy Kids' across the country receive six brand-new books to own and cherish, thanks to the ongoing support of more than 200 funding partners, donors, and supporters. Founded by author Alan Duff, the programme aims to break the cycle of 'booklessness' and promote literacy by fostering a love of reading from an early age. 'This was what I dreamt of more than 30 years ago when I founded Duffy Books in Homes,' said Duff. 'It has been a privilege to see how DBIH has helped promote literacy, instil a love of books, and give children a real sense of ownership over their learning. We couldn't have done this without our amazing team, in-school coordinators, role models, and especially our funding partners and supporters. A huge thank you to all who have been involved over the last 30 years.' The Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) study, highlights this significance with the study, which tracked over 6,000 children, finding that homes filled with books has a positive impact on how often children read and how much they enjoyed it. Literacy rates can be a strong predictor of the economic and career prospects of young people when leaving school. Regardless of what job or career children aspire to do, they need to be literate. Advertisement - scroll to continue reading DBIH General Manager, Linda Vagana says that ' We're proud that our programme has been able to deliver 15 million books to kids (and counting). Recent research suggests that children who love reading often develop stronger comprehension and writing skills, greater general knowledge, and positive attitudes toward learning. These foundational skills and attitudes are essential for lifelong learning and personal growth.' The recent transition from the decile system to the Equity Index (EQI), has made 160 more schools eligible to join our programme – which is a lot of children without access to books. Our supporters help us deliver brand new books into nearly 100,000 Kiwi kids hands through their school. Books which they themselves choose and are theirs to keep for life. Ms Vagana adds, ' The support the programme has received in the past 31 years, means that hundreds of thousands of Kiwi children have been able to increase their literacy which has had a positive outcome on their lives. These children have become adults who inspire a love of reading and can continue this positive cycle for generations to come. Our mission remains focused on inspiring and empowering a nation of successful tamariki through a love of reading and book ownership. With rising costs and increasing demand, we're calling on new funding partners and donors to come on board. Now, more than ever, their support is crucial to keeping the programme thriving.' Prospective partners and supporters are encouraged to visit to learn how they can support the DBIH mission. About Duffy Books in Homes Duffy Books in Homes is a not-for-profit organisation working with over 550 schools and more than 260 early childhood centres around Aotearoa New Zealand. The organisation was created in 1994 and aims to inspire a love of books in children, so they become adults who inspire a love of reading. They do this through their literacy programme where schools in priority communities are given the option to become a 'Duffy school'. Students at Duffy schools receive 6 books per year to take home and own. Duffy Books in Homes has a small team in Auckland, with over 200 funding partners and supporters across New Zealand. The programme has been so successful, it has inspired offshoot programmes in Australia and the USA.
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
'I think we'll be fine' says Cork City's Seani Maguire before jetting off for mid-season break
The League of Ireland's mid-season break is upon us, and Shelbourne manager Damien Duff has again made clear how he feels about it. 'There's an air of the jolly boys out, they are meeting at the terminal tomorrow, they are meeting at the pub in the terminal. "It's a week on the gargle. That's not the football education I had in England,' stated Duff, who recently described this mid-season break as "amateurish." But it's fair to say some of the footballers feel a little differently about it. 'I'm going to Portugal with the family Sunday, for a couple of days, so it'll be a nice little break, just myself, my wife, the baby, and the grandparents,' admitted Seani Maguire, speaking minutes after Duff in the aftermath of Cork City's 1-1 draw with Shelbourne on Friday night. 'I've a couple of buddies over there as well. Yeah, look, I think the mid-season break, you can look at it two different ways, where you can go and just have a break totally away from football. 'But I think the message was clear from the manager in there, that we'll be back in the Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and throughout the week leading up to the Bohs game, because this is a big 18 games for us.' That result proved to be enough to edge City a point clear of bottom club Sligo Rovers at the halfway point in the Premier Division campaign, but it was the performance under newly appointed manager Gerard Nash that provides the club with reasons to be hopeful. 'I think we'll be fine. A couple of lads coming back fit, hopefully a couple more bodies through the door, and we'll see us win a lot more games than we lose' added Maguire, who was also keen to praise Cathal O'Sullivan following rumours linking him with a move to FA Cup winners Crystal Palace. Read More Colin Healy sees Kerry take care of Longford 'I think young Cathal will make his own decision. I think he can be whatever he wants. I think he's one of the best young fellas I've played with, and that includes England. 'Not just because of his talent, it's just his attitude towards everything, I think that's what teams in England will look for first, because you can just see it clear as day how good he is on the ball, he's a joy to play with. 'When he eventually goes to England, I'll be gutted not to play with him again, because of how good he is. 'But I'll be keeping tabs on his career, because I think he'll definitely play for Ireland, he's that good, and he'll definitely go and play at the highest level in football in England. 'His first touch is unbelievable, and it's not just his taking players on 1v1, just the basics of football, he does really well. 'He plays like a fella that's probably 10 years older than his age. He's brilliant, and as I said, his attitude is A1. 'He's so strong. Even in training there could be two or three lads hanging off him, and he just stands up. 'You see him in games there, he's getting kicked, he's getting lashes in the back, and he just keeps going and going and going. 'He'll go on to have an unbelievable career, I've no doubts about that.' Maguire also spoke highly of Djenairo Daniels, who he has struck up a promising partnership with in the absence of the injured Ruairí Keating. Cork City's Djenairo Daniels celebrates scoring a penalty with Sean Maguire. Pic: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane Daniels signed for City at the end of April with the club announcing at the time that it was a short-term deal until July. But it is understood the 23-year-old Dutch striker's deal will actually expire at the end of the season, although he could still sign for another club this summer with City entitled to a fee. 'DD, since he's come in, he's done really well,' continued Maguire. 'Obviously he didn't play in quite a while, and to come in and play so many games in a short space of time is a credit to him. 'He's a fit lad, he's a strong boy, he's quick, he has everything to be a top striker. He's scored goals there that are poacher's goals. 'You can see tonight the little, short and long passes, and the combination plays that we were doing, and I enjoyed playing with him tonight. 'I've only just come back in the team, and started to play with him, and I don't want to have that partnership with him, and to see him go. 'Hopefully the club get it sorted, and he'll be here for however long he wants to be.'
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘It's a week on the gargle' – Damien Duff slams LOI mid-season break after half-time rant in Shelbourne draw vs Cork
DAMIEN DUFF let loose on his Shelbourne players with a half-time tirade during their 1-1 draw against Cork City. A fan video from outside the Turner's Cross changing rooms caught some of Duff's 'ranting and raving' through an open window after a below-par first half. 2 Shelbourne drew 1-1 with Cork City Credit: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile 2 Damien Duff slammed his team's performance Credit: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile Duff said of his half-time rant: 'I haven't done that in a long time, and I wasn't planning it, but sometimes you are driven towards it. 'You can talk tactics and subs, but sometimes when a manager vents, it's for themselves. That wasn't for myself. It was to get a reaction out of them. 'Does it usually work ? No. Did it work in the second half? We were better. Was it because of that? I don't know. Read More on Shelbourne 'It could have been the subs. It could have been our application. 'The first half wasn't a Shelbourne performance. It wasn't a performance befitting champions. 'To win a league again and be up there or thereabouts again, you need a bigger edge. Everything has to be better than the year before, and it hasn't been. That's why we are where we are.' Duff also admitted that he 'fought tooth and nail' with some of his players over their holidays . Most read in Football When asked about the mid-season break, he replied: 'I have never liked it. The flipside is it has come at a good time for us as it's a time for reflection, but I don't like it. 'There's an air of the jolly boys out. They are meeting at the pub in the terminal. It's a week on the gargle. That's not the football education I had in Shelbourne manager Damien Duff gives sweet birthday shoutout to his mother after his side's draw against St Pat's 'People probably think I am unfair saying it. I think it's ingrained in the culture here. It's ingrained in my guys. I fought tooth and nail with my guys. I am not happy with some of my guys on it, but that's for another day. 'But they have had a different football education to what I've had. I was taught differently, and that's why it doesn't sit right with me.' At the league's halfway mark, fifth-placed Shels remain nine points behind front-runners He stressed: 'There's a long way to go. We are still alive and kicking. We still have a heartbeat, and I know it because they are great guys. 'We have certainly dropped a lot of points along the way with basic individual errors when we have dominated games. Different story here. 'I love challenges. It gets me excited. If it doesn't excite our players and the club, the second half of the season, be it the FAI Cup, Europe , or chasing Rovers down, then they are in the wrong place. 'Nine points is a pretty big gap, but if you have a decent fortnight in the League of Ireland , you can claw it back. 'I wouldn't say it's a big challenge. I have always embraced big challenges. Taking over Shelbourne Football Club was a hell of a big challenge. 'Cup final the first year, Europe the second year, won the league the third year. They are big challenges, but we overcome them, because that's what we do.' SUBS STANDARD For the second time in the past month, Duff made a triple substitution at half-time, including the return of Paddy Barrett in defence. Duff warned: 'It could have been more. Absolutely could have been more. 'We can't waste 45 minutes. We talk about not wasting a moment, an action, you can't waste a half of football. 'It's a common theme here: if you waste a half, you are coming off. 'They are not decisions which should make you nervous or afraid of giving the ball away. When lads come off lacking energy and spark, and there's a flatness about them, that's why. 'Unbelievable quality all week, and then maybe they thought they could roll into Turner's Cross and turn Cork over. It doesn't happen like that in Turner's Cross. 'Maybe they have stopped listening, I don't know. Sure, we got a reaction in the second half, and even in the first half, you can say we showed resilience getting in at 0-0 because the fire was coming.'
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
'A week on the gargle' - Damien Duff slams mid-season break
Damien Duff let loose on his Shelbourne players with a half-time tirade during their 1-1 draw against Cork City. A fan video from outside the Turner's Cross changing rooms caught some of Duff's "ranting and raving" through an open window after a below-par first half. Post-match, the Shels supremo suggested his side "probably had one eye on Dublin Airport and not on the game" ahead of the mid-season break. Duff said of his half-time rant: "I haven't done that in a long time, and I wasn't planning it, but sometimes you are driven towards it. "You can talk tactics and subs, but sometimes when a manager vents, it's for themselves. That wasn't for myself. It was to get a reaction out of them. "Does it usually work? No. Did it work in the second half? We were better. Was it because of that? I don't know. "It could have been the subs. It could have been our application. "The first half wasn't a Shelbourne performance. It wasn't a performance befitting champions. "To win a league again and be up there or thereabouts again, you need a bigger edge. Everything has to be better than the year before, and it hasn't been. That's why we are where we are." Duff also admitted that he "fought tooth and nail" with some of his players over their holidays. When asked about the mid-season break, he replied: "I have never liked it. The flipside is it has come at a good time for us as it's a time for reflection, but I don't like it. "There's an air of the jolly boys out. They are meeting at the pub in the terminal. It's a week on the gargle. That's not the football education I had in England. "People probably think I am unfair saying it. I think it's ingrained in the culture here. It's ingrained in my guys. I fought tooth and nail with my guys. I am not happy with some of my guys on it, but that's for another day. "But they have had a different football education to what I've had. I was taught differently, and that's why it doesn't sit right with me. "At the league's halfway mark, fifth-placed Shels remain nine points behind front-runners Shamrock Rovers. But Duff insists his side are not out of contention. "There's a long way to go. We are still alive and kicking. We still have a heartbeat, and I know it because they are great guys. "We have certainly dropped a lot of points along the way with basic individual errors when we have dominated games. Different story here. "I love challenges. It gets me excited. If it doesn't excite our players and the club, the second half of the season, be it the FAI Cup, Europe, or chasing Rovers down, then they are in the wrong place. "Nine points is a pretty big gap, but if you have a decent fortnight in the League of Ireland, you can claw it back. "I wouldn't say it's a big challenge. I have always embraced big challenges. Taking over Shelbourne Football Club was a hell of a big challenge. "There's an air of the jolly boys out. They are meeting at the pub in the terminal. It's a week on the gargle. That's not the football education I had in England" "Cup final the first year, Europe the second year, won the league the third year. They are big challenges, but we overcome them, because that's what we do. "For the second time in the past month, Duff made a triple substitution at half-time, including the return of Paddy Barrett in defence. "It could have been more. Absolutely could have been more," said Duff. "We can't waste 45 minutes. We talk about not wasting a moment, an action, you can't waste a half of football. "It's a common theme here: if you waste a half, you are coming off. "They are not decisions which should make you nervous or afraid of giving the ball away. When lads come off lacking energy and spark, and there's a flatness about them, that's why. "Unbelievable quality all week, and then maybe they thought they could roll into Turner's Cross and turn Cork over. It doesn't happen like that in Turner's Cross. "Maybe they have stopped listening, I don't know. Sure, we got a reaction in the second half, and even in the first half, you can say we showed resilience getting in at 0-0 because the fire was coming."
