NORTH Yorkshire secondary schools are being invited to take part in the region's biggest-ever schools rugby league competition, which is being backed by the Evening Press.

The overall finalists will get the chance to walk out onto the turf of Hull's Kingston Communications Stadium or Huddersfield McApline Stadium to receive their trophies during the half-time intervals of the Great Britain v Australia Ashes Tests to be held there later this year.

The Evening Press has teamed up with Yorkshire Water and the Rugby Football League to announce plans to stage the nine-a-side competition for both boys' and girls' teams.

The 'Yorkshire Water Schools Nines', which will kick off in September, is expected to attract a record number of Year Seven - first year secondary school - teams from across the county and will climax in November to coincide with the Ashes Series.

The teams will be split into eight service areas, including North Yorkshire, with two teams from each qualifying for four sub-regional finals. The North Yorkshire area will be split between York and Scarborough, with the York festival - supported by the Evening Press - set to be played at York City Knights' Huntington Stadium.

The winners of the sub-regions head to the grand finals in November. The boys' final will be at Hull FC's former home, The Boulevard, on November 15. After the game, the players will be guests of Yorkshire Water at the Great Britain v Australia match at the KC Stadium, and at half-time they will do a lap of honour, with the victorious team being presented the trophy.

On November 22, the girls have their finals at Huddersfield Giants' former home, Fartown, and will get VIP treatment, including lap of honour and presentation at half-time, at the last Ashes Test at the McAlpine Stadium.

Andy Harland, national development manager for the RFL, said: "This promises to be the biggest schools tournament ever in Yorkshire, and is definitely the largest-ever girls' rugby league tournament in the UK.

"Not only will the players have the opportunity to play at Super League or National League stadiums but some teams will also receive much needed sports equipment for their school, including match balls and full playing kit for the finalists."

Application forms are being sent out to every secondary school in the York area, and must be returned by September 14. Organisers are hoping for a big turn-out, especially as the players will be coming up from primary schools where a rugby league development programme led by the York City Knights and City of York Council is already up and running.

"This will help to keep them involved in the game at secondary school," added Harland.

Updated: 09:23 Wednesday, July 09, 2003