ADULT non-contact rugby league continues to blossom across York – bolstered by a big charity fundraising tournament featuring a posse of former internationals.

Just as organisers are looking to create a new league of touch rugby to start in York, the rugby league community from across the city and further afield came together at Heworth ARLFC to raise money for the Debbie Plowman Happy Faces Trust in a huge tag tourney.

More than 100 players took part on the day, including a plethora of ex-York heroes including Rich Hayes, Alan Pallister, Brendan Carlyle, Craig Forsyth, Mark Cain, Geoff Pryce, Steve Pryce, Ian Paver, Stewart Horton, Darren Callaghan and current York City Knights reserves boss Mick Ramsden, as well an all-star team led by former Challenge Cup victor Steve Prescott, himself a well-renowned fundraiser in his inspirational battle against cancer.

Prescott had come over from Merseyside to get involved and it was no surprise his team triumphed on the day as they also featured fellow Wembley winner Leroy Rivett, a four-try man-of-the-match for Leeds in the 1999 final, as well as two other former Knights favourites in Jimmy Elston and ex-Great Britain hooker Lee Jackson.

Another former international in Gary Divorty, a product of Heworth, was in another team.

As The Press has reported, in 2009 mum-of-two Debbie was left paralysed from the neck down and unable to speak after an horrendous accident at pole-dancing exercise class.

Funds raised from this event will help to buy equipment enabling her to get back as much independence as possible and also go towards combating spinal injuries.

A final figure on how much money has been raised is not yet known but it is expected to be a sizeable four-figure sum.

One of the organisers, Kevin Pratt, said: “All the local clubs got involved, as did others from further afield, and it was a great day.

“Everyone had a really good time, people were able to catch up with old friends, and it also raised awareness of Debbie’s situation and helped good causes.”

Meanwhile, social touch rugby sessions have continued at Huntington School on Wednesdays and Rowntree Park on Thursdays, both from 6pm to 7pm, and their popularity has seen organisers plan a new league to start in September.

The social sessions have attracted about 40 different people, with about 20 showing up each time.

There will be sessions next week – on Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 – and, after a short break, they will resume on August 10 and 11.

Organiser Nick Settle said: “They’ve been pretty good numbers. We’re getting a regular 40 people playing each week and I think that’s why the next step would be to set up a league.”

The six-a-side league is expected to be on Thursdays, 6pm to 7pm, at Huntington School.

Anyone wanting further details on this league or the social sessions can phone Settle on 07786 701264.

A new website – www.northyorkshirerl.co.uk – has also been set up with details on all forms of rugby league across the city, be it tag, touch, full-contact or wheelchair.