Alex Foster, who attends the Scholarship programme at York City Knights, has become the first winner of the club's Top Tryer award.

Sponsored by CPP - one of York's leading employers - the award is designed to recognise outstanding effort and commitment.

Alex, a 13-year-old pupil of King James's School, Knaresborough, has played rugby for North Yorkshire and been selected for the Yorkshire regional training camp.

Jason Ramshaw, Community Development Manager at York City Knights, said: "As well as being a talented player, he has been a hard working and helpful young man.

"He is always willing to lend a hand, from being a ball boy at matches to helping out behind the scenes at Huntington Stadium."

The Top Tryer trophy and £50 worth of Borders vouchers was presented, left, by Nick Jones, PR and communications manager at CPP. He said: "We want to encourage young people to make a positive contribution both on and off the pitch and Alex is clearly a worthy winner of this award."

Certificates marking the successful completion of the scholarship were also presented to each of the 32 players who took part during 2007.