Champion Schools

With Rugby League now being played in more towns and cities than ever before, this competition provides the game with an essential development tool to service the demand for schools who want to play Rugby League.

Any number of District/ Service Area Competitions can be organised with the winners progressing to the Regional Stages. Regional Competitions will then be staged with the winners progressing to National level.

All 12 Warrington Secondary Schools have participated in the Champion Schools Competition.

Through an innovative 9-a-side format, the Foundation has ensured that schools of various sizes and playing experience have been able to enjoy the local qualifying competition.

Warrington Schools have already enjoyed considerable success since the first 'Champion Schools' Finals in 2003. William Beamont Year 9 Boys emerged victorious in the inaugural competition in Cardiff and were runners-up in 2004. The Cardinal Newman Year 7 Girls were also beaten finalists in 2004 before embarking on an unprecedented unbeaten run which has seen them crowned Year 8 Champions in 2005 and Year 9 Winners in 2006.

In 2006/ 07 during the five Nine-a-Side Age Group Tournaments which have already taken place over 450 young athletes have enjoyed Rugby League-some for the first time -as 11 of the town's 12 Secondary Schools entered a total of 35 teams.

As a result of the local Qualifying Competitions, the following schools have booked their places in the national phase of the Champion Schools competition and kept their hopes of a 'Wembley Appearance' alive:

Year 11: Winners Cardinal Newman R/U Padgate
Year 10: Winners Great Sankey High R/U Cardinal Newman
Year 9: Winners Penketh R/U Culcheth
Year 8: Winners St Gregory's R/U William Beamont
Year 7: Winners William Beamont R/U Cardinal Newman

It is encouraging that the honours, like the considerable playing talent, has been spread throughout the town. The Girls Champion Schools Qualifiers are scheduled to take place in February.

GREAT SANKEY HIGH SCHOOL YEAR 10'S
REACH CARNEGIE CHAMPION SCHOOLS FINAL

Many congratulations to Great Sankey High School Year 10 boys team, who have reached the Carnegie Champion Schools Final by beating Normanton Freeston High school in Wakefield by 36-6.
The Carnegie Champion Schools competition engages more than 20,000 girls and boys up and down the country and all the qualifying rounds have now taken place prior to the fourth round of the Carnegie Challenge Cup.
Great Sankey teachers John Caslake, Willy Swann and Andy Gee (Head of PE) have worked extremely hard to ensure their team meet the standards required to reach the Final of this prestigious and highly contested competition.

The Final will take place on 24th August at RAF Uxbridge in London with all age group finalists parading around the new Wembley pitch the following day at the Challenge Cup Final.