During the course of the "Playing for Success" term at the Diamonds Study Centre a week was set aside for local school pupils to interview Rushden & Diamonds players. The students were from year eight at Manor Sports College, Ferrers Arts College and Huxlow Science College, as well as Year 5 pupils from Irthlingborough, Higham Ferrers and Great Addington Junior Schools along with a group of looked after children from the local community.

They all had a great time interviewing the first team players Chris Hope, Simeon Jackson, Marcus Kelly, Jake Beecroft, Michael Rankine, Abdou El-Kholti and Alex Bolt as well as some of the clubs prospective future stars in Ben Nunn, Sam Smith and Joe Day.

The "Playing for Success" project is part of a national initiative that involves a partnership between the D.C.S.F. (Department for Children, Schools and Families) the County Council and Rushden & Diamonds Football Club; one of its major objectives is to raise standards in literacy. The interview activity and the follow up work proved to be an invaluable exercise in the improvement of the students speaking, listening and writing skills in a very enjoyable way.

Chief Executive Helen Thompson said "I know that the children enjoy this activity immensely and in fact ask some searching questions of the players which at times causes some surprises!The notes that the children produce as a result of the interviews are excellent and this is a very worthwhile activity for all concerned."