YORK Wasps' plans to promote rugby league in schools have been boosted following a meeting with the City of York Council.

The Wasps want to become part of the council's plans to encourage sporting endeavour among children, with the idea of attracting young blood to the game.

Chief executive Ann Garvey sees it as a way of bringing young talent into the Wasps' network as well as boosting crowds at Huntington Stadium as youngsters get to know more about the game and build an affinity with the club.

Garvey told the Evening Press that proposals included setting up holiday activities for schoolchildren and allowing Wasps' coach Lee Crooks and his players to go into schools regularly to teach youngsters about the game.

"They could speak to the children not only about rugby league but other aspects such as health, fitness, drugs, team building and attitude," she said.

"Lee could also take training sessions and if children decided they liked it they could continue to play for a local club and possibly go on to play for the York Academy and maybe even the first team. It all starts at a young age.

"It means we will be doing something for the younger generation who are tomorrow's players and supporters.

"Nothing concrete has come out of the meeting but we were delighted with how it went," she said.

Garvey added that another meeting has been arranged for mid-February and that the club were looking for sponsorship to help meet the costs of such ventures.

ON a similar point, the Wasps will continue for the "foreseeable future" to offer local schoolchildren free tickets to home league games.

Garvey ventured that the club were endeavouring to send tickets to as many local schools as possible, while players were set to scour the Monks Cross shopping centre near Huntington Stadium on Sundays offering free tickets to under-16s.

They had planned to do this for the recent home games against Sheffield and Gateshead but both games were called off due to a frozen pitch.

Free passes for youngsters will also be available before 2pm on match-days from the club office.

"We want to get the younger generation involved and interested in the game," she added.

Unfortunately, the offer does not stretch to include cup games such as tomorrow's Silk Cut Challenge Cup third round clash with Oulton Raiders.

IT was great to see long-time fan Rod Lowery co-opted on to the Wasps' board this week, as reported in the Evening Press.

The 57-year-old financial advisor and marketing expert has a bucket-load of ideas to raise the profile of the club and bring money into Wasps' coffers, and if his apparent enthusiasm is anything to go by, then he will succeed in his aims.

His contacts in and out of the game are vast and, as he says, he wants to channel all knowledge, advice and tips into making the Wasps a force to be reckoned with. And if he can call in a few favours and bring top-class players to the club then that's a bonus.

Lowery, a fully paid-up fan for 35 years, is keen to get the supporters flocking to Huntington Stadium but realises that before they come in their droves, the club need to give them a product they want to go and watch.

If his ideas pay off, though, it won't be long before gates rise and monies come in. A bit of entertainment off the pitch, a good display on the pitch - it's a recipe for success.

It's easier said than done, but there is no doubting his eagerness to do it.

RUMOUR-MONGERING was rife this week as one hoaxer claiming to be Spencer Hargrave said via an unofficial website that he (Spencer) was leaving the club.

Unfortunately for the joker, the fact it was a ruse was revealed later that same day as Spencer, completely unaware of it, turned up for training - definitely not the act of a man who's left the club.

And after being told about the gag, he quickly posted a reply on the net to say he was staying put.

As if additional proof was needed, we can also confirm he has recovered from his broken thumb and, although he isn't fully match-fit, is in the squad for tomorrow's Challenge Cup tie with Oulton.

FURTHER proof of Spencer's commitment to the Wasps' cause will soon be visible in cyberspace.

As reported in the Evening Press, he and team-mate Danny Waite have been working on a website dedicated to raising money for the Players' Fund at the club, which was set up to boost players' wages after their pay cut resulting from the Creditors' Voluntary Agreement earlier this month.

An impressive home page is already on the web (at yorkwaspsfund.co.uk), with the other pages - featuring news, events, sponsorship opportunities and details on how to make donations - due to be next week.

HOPEFULLY, the Wasps will overcome their tricky Silk Cut Challenge Cup tie against Oulton Raiders tomorrow and thus go into the hat for the fourth round draw when the Super League clubs enter the competition.

The draw will be made on Monday evening, so let's pray not only that the Wasps are there but that they also win a moneyspinning tie against one of the big-guns.

Best of luck to York's amateur clubs, Heworth and New Earswick All Blacks, who are also in tomorrow's third round.

It's the first time that the city has had three representatives involved at this stage of the competition.