ROCK-IT-BALL, the new made-in-Pickering combat game of throw and catch, will soon be played in almost every school and college in the UK.

The huge breakthrough for Rock-It-Ball, which reached the finals of last year's Evening Press Business Awards, came as the new sport was formally adopted as a partner by the Youth Sports Trust.

The trust will include the high technology throw/catch Rock-Its equipment, made at McKechnie's in Pickering, as part of the package it will deliver to 500 schools this year.

Last Friday, the trust ordered £10,000 worth of Rock-It-Ball kits, and next Monday begins two days of filming a How To Play Rock-It-Ball DVD and video to demonstrate the key skills of the game to schools.

The connection with the trust was made when the trio of businessmen behind the venture exhibited at the National Sports Conference, in Telford, earlier this month.

The game involves the use of paddle-like devices with moulded thrower/catchers at each end of a control bar.

It has already had a world championships, staged at the Dolphin Centre, in Darlington, last July. It has since attracted the attention of US manufacturers who want to produce the equipment under licence.

Interest has also been expressed by manufacturers in China, Russia, Ireland, Italy, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

Paul Law, Rock-It-Ball's marketing manager, said: "We are also talking to a plastics group with retail outlets in the UK which wants to manufacture it here.

"Whatever, we would want McKechnie's to continue producing it, although we are interested in the retail offering."

The firm has also struck up a partnership with the Eureka! exhibition centre in Halifax, which offers children a window on the future.

Its touring exhibition of sporting activities, called Mission For Active Futures, includes Rock-It-Ball.

Launched last April with a demonstration by students of Northallerton College (now world champions), Rock-It-Ball was devised by Bob Eldridge, of Marishes, near Thornton-le-Dale, Dr Paul Hildreth, of Newton-on-Ouse, and Paul Law, of Northallerton.

Mr Law said: "We are negotiating through Sport England with the Central Council of Recreation to get national recognition for the sport, and the Youth Sports Trust's involvement is a major step towards this.

"The trust's delegates spotted us at the exhibition where we had set up a demo, and they couldn't wait to take part.

"High-heels came off, and they were running about all over the place!"

Hannah Sharpe, innovation development officer for the Youth Sports Trust, said: "We thought the game was fantastic, really exciting.

"We just had to include it in our new project seeking out alternative activities for students who don't want to engage in the usual sports."

Updated: 10:32 Thursday, February 16, 2006