SPORTS clubs in Ryedale are being urged to take advantage of funding worth tens of thousands of pounds available to improve facilities and create better access to activities.

The message comes from the newly formed Ryedale Sports Executive Body, which has been formed to boost the profile of sport and leisure in the district.

Jos Holmes, cultural services manager for Ryedale District Council, said the council wanted to become the driving force encouraging individuals to further develop the sports and recreation sector.

Mrs Holmes said: "What we are hoping to do is to raise people's aspirations.

"We want people to think they can go for grants of say £10,000, without just thinking it wouldn't be possible."

More advice and information will be available for groups looking to improve their facilities by tapping into the awards and grants currently on offer, she said.

"There's a table of how different local authorities compare and we are about in the middle.

"But it would be nice to think that through this executive body we go up that table, to increase our share of the national pot of money."

Plans for major new sports facilities were not in the pipeline, admitted Mrs Holmes, but she said improved access to facilities would mean more people being able to participate.

"Hopefully what we have got will be much better co-ordinated.

"We might have a come-and-try-it day, or encourage the local bowling club to challenge the football team to a game of bowls, which would also help bring different groups in the community together."

The biggest single priority for the newly-formed executive would be to focus on youth issues.

Mrs Holmes explained: "It's been shown in the past that diversionary activities for young people do work.

"They are then diverted away from petty crime and vandalism which can be a problem in Ryedale."

The recently-published community safety strategy highlighted issues surrounding young people as one of the four most important things to address over the next three years.

Mrs Holmes said: "Sport is not just something fun for young people to do to keep them occupied.

"It can also be important for building up confidence and improving skills."

She said the executive body would focus on all aspects of sport and recreation in the district.

She said: "It's not just about the talented people, but about getting people involved.

"They don't have to win medals."

Updated: 08:14 Friday, July 26, 2002