TOP coaches from rugby league giants Leeds Rhinos and Bradford Bulls have begun helping youngsters in York primary schools to get in shape for the forthcoming York Golden Jubilee RL Festival.

As a spin-off to the festival - which will see senior clubs from all over the UK, Ireland and France do battle at Heworth ARLFC on June 3 - a schools tournament is being organised as a curtain-raiser, and coaching for the kids could not come much better.

The Rhinos will take the bulk of the weekly sessions, while the Bulls will lead one and also chip in free tickets for the big Bradford versus Wigan clash on Friday, May 24, for all the youngsters involved.

Already six City of York Council primary schools are signed up to the tournament, including Ralph Butterfield, Yearsley Grove, Archbishop of York, Dunnington, Elvington and St Aelred's, and each will run afternoon coaching sessions over the next few weeks.

Two schools from Scarborough have also been invited to enter the cup, which will be staged at New Earswick Sports and Social Club on May 25, with the final to be played during the day-long senior tournament at Heworth.

Russell Walton, chairman of the junior section at New Earswick All Blacks ARLFC and schools tournament organiser, said: "Junior RL is booming in York and this is a great opportunity to raise its profile throughout the city.

"The involvement of pro players from clubs like Bradford and Leeds is wonderful. I know all the youngsters were looking forward to working with the players."

The main nine-a-side adult event features 16 teams including a York select squad called the Ironsides. They will do battle for the inaugural Fairfax Cup, while the school teams will compete for the Marston Moor Cup.

Updated: 10:38 Saturday, May 04, 2002