I would like to express my thanks to the organisers and City of York Council for an excellent weekend at the York International 9s Rugby League Festival held at Heworth ARLFC.

The event was professionally run and the addition of the Russian team was a credit to their country and the sport of rugby league.

As we have come to expect, the teams representing the British Armed Forces were well prepared and displayed great skill and enthusiasm.

The whole weekend provided excellent entertainment and another valuable step in the development of this sport across the world.

Congratulations to all involved and I look forward to next year's festival as I am sure it will go from strength to strength.

Kevin Pratt

Beaconsfield Mews,

Acomb, York

Updated: 10:17 Friday, June 27, 2003