Manic Monday through to feverish Friday - that was the week that was 'Sportsmania 98'.

Hundreds of York citizens took part in a range of 11 sports held at venues across the area from Rowntree Park to Copmanthorpe in an event organised by the City of York Council's Leisure Services department.

Free tuition from qualified coaches was given during the week, which attracted sponsorship from Rover car dealers TC Harrison.

It might not quite have been A to Z, but it was basketball to volleyball, also taking in rugby, football, cricket, tennis, bowls, petanque, netball, hockey and orienteering.

Vivienne Todd, of Granger Avenue, Acomb, and her sons Darren and Peter were so delighted with 'Sportsmania 98' that they composed their own verse thanking the council, coaches, park rangers and St John Ambulance Brigade. "Sportsmania is back in town

Come on mums and dads don't you frown

It's free sport for children to try

Get them off the streets - they'll love it, not cry

Boys and girls can play and choose

Come along there's nothing to lose

Having fun is what it is all about

They'll want to go again and scream and shout

There's not enough hours in the day

For all the activities to play

We'll have to come again and try some more

School holidays no more a bore

Thank you City of York Council and coaches too

Three cheers for you in all that you do"

Meanwhile, the University of York Summer Multi-Activities Weeks are proving equally as popular.

It is the 15th year the university has organised a variety of sporting activities for youngsters aged between seven and 16.

Angling on the university lake is a new activity, and other sports include squash, orienteering, tennis, archery, hockey, netball, trampoline, cricket, football, rounders and badminton.

The first three weeks are fully booked up, but there are a few vacancies for the final three weeks starting each Monday on August 10, 17 and 24. There is room for 150 yougsters each week.

Week-long morning-only sessions, which run from 9.15am to noon, are £25; afternoon only, from 1pm to 5pm, £35; and the full week £49.

For further details contact the University of York Sports Centre on 01904 433853.

See also the OASIS scheme - a programme of free sports events for 11 to 17-year-olds

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.