I WOULD like to thank all the people who helped to make the eighth York International Rugby League 9s Festival a great success.

Many people gave their time on what was thankfully this year a beautiful hot and sunny weekend, although it wouldn’t have been a 9s weekend without at least one spell of torrential rain, thunder and lightning.

I would like to thank all the volunteers and staff including those who helped look after the players and fans and kept the venue safe and secure.

I would especially like to thank all the teams, schools and most importantly the 600 adults and children who played in the festival, making it one of the biggest Rugby League 9s festivals in the country.

Of course, as always, the games could not have taken place without the fantastic support of the match officials and in a culture where they perform an often thankless task.

I would like to commend everyone of them and express also my thanks to the RFL, Combined Services and York & District Referee Society who provided the officials for the weekend.

I would also like to say thank you to BARLA and the North Yorkshire Service Area for their continued support of this great festival, which aims to support the development of rugby league for players and officials at grass roots level.

Finally this would not be complete without a thank you to all the fans who turned up to give the teams their support.

I can’t promise the same weather, but I hope to see everyone again next year.

Cath Murray, York International Rugby League 9s Festival organiser, York