RUGBY league around Sherburn-in-Elmet is set for a boost as Sherburn Bears ARLC have been awarded a Sport England grant after an application in conjunction with the Rugby Football League proved successful.

The grant will enable them to deliver an extra-curricular tag rugby league programme to primary schools and increase school-to-club links.

The aim of the project is to attract new players and the funding means children take part in the programme free of charge as well as enabling the Bears to purchase new equipment.

Tag is a non-contact version of rugby league, encouraging full participation by boys and girls. It is widely recognised as helping the development of team and individual interaction as well as physical coordination.

Another large focus in more recent years has involved giving the players strength and stability to play a dynamic team sport like rugby league.

The tag programme will be offered to children in school Years 3 and 4. The coaching programme has been delivered to primary schools in the surrounding Sherburn area, with about 15 to 20 players taking part in each session in each school.

Sherburn Bears, in addition to their open age sector, have mixed teams from under-7s to U11s.

Coaches from across the region were involved in the delivery of rugby league coaching including Bears club coach David Giles, York City Knights player-boss Chris Thorman, and Selby community rugby league coach Adam Prentis, who is also on the Knights’ back room staff.

As part of the funding agreement, schools were asked for a teacher to be present at each session to learn from the coaches. This was to improve teachers’ coaching ability to help to make the after-school tag rugby league club sustainable long term.

The coaching in these schools is to conclude with a competitive cluster tag rugby festival on Wednesday at Sherburn Bears’ Eversley Park base in Sherburn In Elmet, starting at 4pm.

Nick Settle, RFL co-ordinator for North Yorkshire, who helped support Sherburn Bears with their project, said: “This will all give children a great pathway to play for their local rugby league club using quality coaches.”

Andy Clay, school games organiser, said: “This looks brilliant – well done to all involved with the successful bid. Projects such as these make a huge difference to our district and especially the young people involved.”

For more information on community rugby league in North Yorkshire, visit www.northyorkshirerl.co.uk

For Sherburn club details, visit www.pitchero.com/clubs/sherburnbears