The York Golden Jubilee Rugby League Festival has been hailed as a big success - providing a boost for York tourism and now set to become an annual fixture.

With 16 teams from across the UK, France and Ireland in York for the unique nine-a-side Fairfax Cup tournament on June 3, hundreds of rugby league fans arrived in York from across the country over the bank holiday weekend.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said, "The rugby league event was a fantastic opportunity for visitors and residents alike to experience the city at its most vibrant. The event attracted almost 2,000 spectators many of whom had travelled from far and wide to see this unique event.

"Hotels, guest houses, restaurants, bars and attractions all benefited from the increase in visitor numbers. York's festivals and events programme gets stronger year on year and sports tourism in Britain is most definitely gaining in importance. We're delighted that the city council got behind this event and hope to see more events of this kind organised in York in the future."

And Tony Bennett, City of York Council's assistant director for economic development and chair of the First Stop York tourism partnership, said, "The event was considered a great success by businesses in York who enjoyed welcoming the teams to their accommodation. With a crowd of around 2,000 the event gave York an important extra boost over a successful Jubilee weekend."

Lord Mayor of York Councillor David Horton, who presented the Fairfax Cup to tournament winners the London KooGas, said, "It was a wonderful event and the whole of the civic party enjoyed it tremendously." The international tournament at Heworth ARFLC was backed by the Rugby Football League and City of York Council. It was also supported by Super League clubs Bradford Bulls and Leeds Rhinos.

Today tournament director Lionel Hurst said he was hoping it would become a permanent fixture in the city's sporting calendar. The former London Broncos supremo said, "The tournament was a magnificent success and a wonderful day out.

"The rugby in both the Fairfax Cup and the Marston Moor Cup schools tournament was colourful, skilful and entertaining. The feedback from the clubs has been entirely positive - they all loved coming to York for the weekend and enjoyed the events both on and off the field. There is no reason at all why we cannot build on this and take the idea forward.

"We are all going to have to go away and think about that but there is great demand for the festival to be incorporated in the annual calendar of City of York events. The support of City of York Council, York Tourism Bureau, Rugby Football League and other agencies is essential to ensure further success and development."

Councillor Alan Jones, the council's executive member for leisure and heritage, said, "All the feedback has been very positive. Our role in bringing together the various arms of the council, Heworth Rugby Club and the organisers of this event was critical and York Leisure Office Event staff deserve considerable recognition for their efforts."

York Leisure Office is hosting a meeting next week to plan next year's tournament but endorsements for this year's event have come from every club.

Commander Nick Stenhouse of the Royal Navy Rugby League which was represented by a Royal Marines squad, said, "It was a truly splendid occasion with excellent rugby league football for all to enjoy. It was a very well organised event."

Jase Talbot of the RAF Rugby League Association, said, "It was a fantastic day with some outstanding rugby league and a fantastic crowd which is a credit to York and its people. I wish league fans of York all the best in their quest to reform the professional club that York truly deserves.

And Mark Brown of Edinburgh Eagles said, "It was a fantastic weekend - a well planned and organised tournament which helped bring together teams from all parts of the Home Nations and beyond. We have made several good links with other clubs because of it and rugby league can only be the stronger for that."

Peter McNamara of Cork Bulls said, "The tournament was well managed and a delight to take part in.

"It was an ultimate success and everyone is due a hearty thank you and congratulations from those of us lucky enough to have played in it."

And Patrick Pedrazzani of much-fancied French team Lezignan-Corbieres - beaten 20-14 by London KooGas in the final - said, "L'Žquipe de Lezignan a beaucoup apprŽciŽ le tournoi de York, bien sžr elle aurait prŽfŽrŽ gagner. Mais 3500 km en voiture, quelques sorties nocturnes un peu arrosŽes et surtout la valeur des adversaires ne l'ont pas permis! Mais finaliste c'est bien.

"Merci aux organisateurs, ˆ la mairie de York et aux personnes qui travaillaient pour la ville, au club d'Heworth. Des Žquipes de tout le royaume Uni, de France, c'est trs bon pour le dŽveloppement du rugby ˆ XIII. J'espre qu'il y aura un autre tournoi."

END

Notes for Editors: What Patrick Pedrazzani said translated into English: "The team of Lezignan appreciated the tournament of York very much. Of course we would have preferred to have won but 3500 km in the car, the visit of pubs and a night club and especially the value of the opposition, did not allow it! But it is good to finish runners up. Thank you to all the organisers, to York council, to the people who worked for the city and the Heworth club. Thanks to all the teams - it is very good for the development of Rugby League. I hope that there will be another tournament."