The achievements of York teams in this year's North Yorkshire Youth Games - including the tournament's fair play award - will be marked at a special presentation on Thursday night (July 18).

All the young people who took part in the games in Catterick on May 12 have been invited to the reception at the Barbican Centre (7pm) to receive recognition of their achievements for the various York squads.

At the games, York's girls' hockey, both girls' football and rugby League teams were successful in their events and the whole York squad received the "fair play award" from the event sponsors and organising committee.

The games are designed to encourage young people to participate in activities they would not get the chance to elsewhere and give them the opportunity to represent York in a competition, competing against other young people from districts in North Yorkshire.

City of York Council is one of the eight districts that make up the North Yorkshire Sport Partnership. As a partner the council enters a number of teams into the North Yorkshire Youth Games. The council is able to establish development squads and assist coaches with facilities and equipment. City of York Council is also heavily involved in the organisation of the event.

Councillor Alan Jones, the council's executive member for heritage and leisure, said, "This week's event is a great opportunity to show how much value there is in taking part in the Youth Games. Congratulations are due to all who took part especially young people from York who did amazingly well in the competition."

Andy Pope, the council's community leisure officer, said, "The whole day was a success and every young person enjoyed themselves. The team spirit throughout all the York teams was exceptional."

On Thursday the teams will be joined by councillors and Catherine Woolly from HSBC bank, the games' main sponsor.

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