SCHOOLGIRLS in York have been getting to grips with rugby league thanks to a joint coaching scheme from National League sponsor LHF Healthplan and the Knights.

The club's youth development team have been running 'Skills Days' with Year 7 to 10 girls throughout July to introduce them to the game and encourage participation in the sport.

Pupils from Archbishop Holgate School and Oaklands School have already taken part in the scheme and another session is to be held at Millthorpe School, all cofunded by the Sportsmatch initiative. There has also been a session for Year 6 primary school girls, held at New Earswick amateur rugby club.

The girls will continue their rugby league development in regional festival tournaments. LHF Healthplan Sportsmatch programmes have pumped more than £100,000 into the grassroots of the sport, enabling all 34 National League clubs to work with schools in their communities.

Knights development chief Jason Ramshaw said: "The LHF Sportsmatch scheme is striking at the heart of what is a major area of development for the sport and the more young females we can get playing the better. With a bit of luck we may even be coaching some of the future stars of women's rugby league."

This year's Sportsmatch scheme follows in the footsteps of LHF Healthplan's successful 2005 campaign, which helped more than 30,000 primary school children across the country play rugby league for the first time.