The Wharfe Valley Youth Trust are celebrating landing a £10,000 cash grant that will keep their spirits flying for another year. They have been granted £10,000 by the Sports Council to match £10,000 of funds donated by local businesses.

The Trust sends professional sports coaches into schools across the Wharfedale district and teaches youngsters the principles of team sports such as rugby and cricket.

Otley Rugby Club's Samoan flanker Lafaele Filipo is the Trust's head coach and he has been teaching pupils the intricacies of the game.

He said: "It's brilliant news. This means we can keep going into the schools for another year. It's really good for the kids because it gives them an enthusiasm for the sport and when they see us turning up to coach it gives them something to look forward to. It helps them play as part of a team".

The money, which has been granted under a scheme called Sports Match to encourage business involvement in sport, will enable the Trust's sporting projects to continue for another year.

Twenty-one schools from across the region celebrated the grant by taking part in a touch-rugby tournament at Otley Rugby Club last Thursday.

Trust organisers were presented with the cheque for £10,000 on Friday at the club by Leeds North West MP Harold Best.

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