READING’S social inclusion manager, Richard Witt, has been shortlisted for a Pride of Reading 2016 award.

Witt, who works for the club’s Community Trust department, was nominated by colleague Jay Gilbert for the ‘Encouraging Young People in the Arts’ category.

Witt helped deliver a ‘Choices’ early-intervention scheme which has been adopted by more than 30 schools in the area.

The scheme aims to help youngsters make the right choices in school to further their education.

It is thought to have helped at least 500 children remain at school in the past two years.

Witt, 32, a former Reading youth player, said: “I spent a long time writing the programme as I saw a need for it in the Reading area.

"Choices limits the amount of exclusions in schools by working with young people, and can support transition from Year 6 to Year 7, which is a difficult time for some young people.

“We support children in school, from five to 18 years, who are not behaving, underachieving, struggling with confidence and low self-esteem, or needing life skills.”

Reading FC Women:

READING FC Women returned to action with a 3-1 home defeat to Arsenal Ladies in the Women’s Super League Continental Tyres Cup.

Royals were more than a match for the visitors in the first half in front of a 1,000-plus crowd at Wycombe’s Adams Park.

But the Gunners scored twice in a five minute burst at the start of the second period through Vicky Losada and then Fara Williams, who converted a penalty after Molly Bartrip fouled Danielle can de Donk.

Williams then grabbed her second to put Arsenal 3-0 ahead before Emma Follis pulled one back for the Royals.

Reading travel to Liverpool Ladies in Women’s Super League 1 this Sunday (5.30pm ko). The game takes place at the Select Security Stadium.