HUNDREDS of young sports people were given their first taste of large-scale competition at the North Yorkshire Youth Games last weekend.

Teams from the eight areas of North Yorkshire did battle in 19 events ranging from athletics and gymnastics to aquathon, sportsability and netball.

The idea behind the Youth Games is to open the doors of competitive sport to those who are just developing sporting prowess and have not played before at a representative level, with the emphasis not necessarily on winning.

Teams were made up from schools, sports clubs and development training squads with hours of coaching and preparation taking place in the build-up to the event, which took place at Ampleforth College.

The York area finished on top after winning six events including mixed hockey, under-15s football and basketball.

Wigginton Primary School won the rugby league in the York royal blue after winning the recent tag rugby festival, beating Selby into second place.

York also enjoyed a one-two in netball with the 'B' team finishing top ahead of their 'A' counterparts, and Robert Wilkinson Primary School raced home in the athletics event.

Each of the eight areas had at least one win to smile about. Richmondshire celebrated after winning the girls' under-13 hockey just weeks after new facilities were unveiled in Thirsk, Hambleton beat Harrogate in the under-11 gymnastics and Selby finished top in the rounders, with York and Harrogate in second and third.

Scarborough took two wins in the under-13 boys hockey and the under-10 football, Ryedale triumphed in the under-16 table-tennis, tennis and under-14 gymnastics, while Craven celebrated success in the rugby union, under-12 table-tennis, under-13 football and under-14 aquathon.

The sportsability section was won by Harrogate, who also lifted the fair play trophy.

An army of more than 30 volunteers from York St John and All Saints School pitched in on the day to ensure the event ran smoothly.

Event manager Andy Pope praised the attitude and behaviour of the young players and added: "The site staff have been exceptional, the event staff have been exceptional but most importantly the children have been exceptional - that is why we will do it all again next year - roll on 2006."

Presentations to all the York squads will take place on Wednesday evening at the Tempest Anderson Hall, Museum Gardens from 6.45pm. Certificates will be handed out to everyone who took part and trophies presented to the winners.

For more details, call Andy Pope on 01904 553375.

Updated: 10:53 Friday, May 13, 2005