MENSTON St Mary's RC School has just completed the allocation of the £4,888 awarded by the Millennium Awards for Local Groups initiative, part of the National Lottery Fund.

The funds have been shared between St Mary's, Otley RUFC's junior section and Shipley Netball Club's junior section

The money has helped to pay for tackle bags and shields, a scrum sled, tag rugby belts and coaching for local primary school pupils.

Funds have assisted Andy Brown, from the Wharfe Valley Youth Trust, to stage a Primary School Tag Rugby Festival at Otley RUFC's Cross Green ground in April.

Next season further links between St Mary's and Otley will be forged with the establishment of a schools' open day at the club and continued assistance from Andy Brown and Paul Williams in coaching the schools junior Rugby Union teams.

Ben Middleton, chairman of the Otley Club's Junior Section, said: "This is a tremendous boost for the work of our junior section, players and coaches. The resources made available through this award further strengthen our links with St Mary's School, who continue to provide encouragement and the opportunity for more youngsters to play rugby in the Aireborough and Otley region."

Pam Hoyle, Leeds Leisure Services Young People and Sport Development Officer and Shipley Netball Club member, has been working with the school to identify further development possibilities for school and club. The club operate a coaching session at St Mary's on Monday evenings and hope to expand this to include U-15 girls as well as the current U-13 group. Then award has allowed the purchase of more goalposts and nets for use by club and school in the sports hall and coaching videos.