TOWN and the Giants are hoping to make their Sporting Pride Sevens scheme even more successful in 2005.
More than 60 Kirklees Schools and more than 300 children are already registered in the project, sponsored by the Richard Alan Group of Dewsbury.
Youngsters in the scheme receive a Town and Giants shirt on their seventh birthday, plus four match tickets for each club.
It is proving a highly popular venture and the latest group of seven-year-olds received their prized colours when Town played Bradford City last weekend.
On duty from Town and the rugby league club to make it an extra-special occasion were players Andy Booth, John McAliskey, Chris Nero and Brad Drew.
Also on hand was former Town director Stuart Bragan, of the Richard Alan Group.
More than 50 children who have recently celebrated their seventh birthday were presented with shirts.
Run under the Sporting Pride banner of both clubs, the joint venture has, in the words of Town chief executive Andrew Watson, gone "from strength to strength".
He added: "Sporting Pride Sevens was launched as a major initiative in October and it continues to grow at an impressive rate.
"Every child in Kirklees, providing they are registered through their school, is offered a free Town and Giants replica shirt on their seventh birthday and, for a £10 contribution, the family also receive four Town and four Giants match tickets in a complete package worth £157.
"The aim of the scheme is to increase Town and Giants support in the schools, where it registers only 35%.
"The long-term aim is to get to get Town to average gates of 20,000, which the club will need to compete at the top of the Football League.
"We have more than 300 youngsters involved at the moment and the objective is to get towards 1,000."
The success of the scheme depends largely on the active participation of schools, which is vital for widespread coverage and the verification of ages.
Further information is available from Town by contacting either Paul France or Rachel Taylor on 01484- 484100.
