TWO great Yorkies - from the past and the future - teamed up today to unveil a family-for-a-fiver deal and free car parking for next month's York Golden Jubilee Rugby League Festival.

Former Heworth, Hull and Great Britain star Gary Divorty and Leeds Rhinos youngster Peter Fox, from Acomb, unveiled the £5 'big ticket' for the nine-a-side tournament.

The 16-team festival, being held to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee, will bring clubs from all over the UK, Ireland and France to hosts Heworth ARLFC on Bank Holiday Monday, June 3.

Meanwhile, Super League giants Bradford Bulls and Leeds Rhinos have begun coaching sessions for York schoolchildren ahead of the Marston Moor Cup, a curtain-raiser competition for youngsters.

While the adult sides will compete for the Fairfax Cup, the schools' tournament will be on Saturday, May 25, with the final taking place as part of the main festival.

The 'big ticket' for the festival allows two adults and up to four children to attend the day-long tournament.

There are also two other ticket prices - £3 for adults and £1 for the under-16s. Tickets will be available on the gate but are also on sale now from the council's YORtime Resource Centre, 20 Back Swinegate (01904 553440).

The tournament organisers also revealed free car parking has been arranged at sites adjacent to Heworth's ground.

The tournament is set to provide a day of family entertainment, with the on-field action supplemented by other attractions including: Super League mascots Ronnie the Rhino and Bully the Bull; roundabouts; bouncy castle; face painting; food stalls; licensed bar; ice cream; rugby league merchandising stalls; and afternoon teas.

Members of the Bradford Bulls and Leeds Rhinos squads, as well as York Wasps, will also be there.

Gary Divorty and Peter Fox were joined at today's festival photocall by Spen Allison, manager of the York Ironsides, the representative squad specially created for next month's event.

Divorty, who was born in and played for Heworth before signing for Hull in the 1980s, was a two-Test GB international. He scored a try in one of the great Wembley Challenge Cup finals when Hull lost 28-24 to Wigan in 1985.

He said: "This festival is a wonderful idea and I especially think the Marston Moor Cup for York schools will give the sport a tremendous boost in the city.'"

Leeds Rhinos Academy back Peter Fox, a product of York Acorn ARLFC, has already represented England at under-16 level.

The 17-year-old former Manor School student, one of the players in the Ironsides' preliminary squad of 26, said: "I am honoured to represent the city of York in the shape of the Ironsides and think the event will be a great success."

Updated: 12:02 Wednesday, May 01, 2002