Schools Rugby League Newsletter Message from the ESRL chairman 2012 has once again been a year of change in national school sports and here at the RFL we have seen some significant changes in the way schools Rugby League is now administered. In October 2011 English Schools Rugby League successfully transitioned into the RFL. The new ESRL board functions as a subcommittee of the RFL Community Board and provides advice and guidance on the development of Rugby League within Schools. The board consists of: David Gent ESRL Chairman, RFL Ian Szwandt RFL Community Board Member Ray Unsworth Board Member Steve Boothroyd Primary Schools Representative George Panayiotou Secondary Schools, North Representative John Griffin Secondary Schools, North Representative Alsion Ward Secondary Schools, Midlands & Girls Representative Tony Fretwell Teachers Rugby League Representative John Kear Professional Clubs Representative The ESRL board continually looks to recruit new members onto the board which will help the development of Schools Rugby League, at present the board is in the process of recruiting a North East and South representative. The RFL’s flagship competition Carnegie Champion Schools remains the largest Rugby League tournament in the world and continues to expand year on year introducing more and more students to competitive sport. This year saw some excellent Rugby League finals played at Odsal and Wembley stadium. Going into the new season I wish all the school teams taking part in ESRL Rugby League competitions the very best of luck and thank you for your time and effort in the coming months. Once again I am confident that ESRL will have another record year with teams taking part in competitions and no doubt ESRL will be leading the way for competitive school sports. Yours in Sport David Gent ESRL Chair 1 | September 2012 Schools Rugby League Newsletter Rugby League leads the way for competitive school sport The 2011-2012 Carnegie Champion Schools tournament culminated with the national finals at Odsal and Wembley and official figures show that a record 30,713 players and 1819 teams were involved in this year’s competition. The ESRL Chairman, David Gent said: “The Carnegie Champion Schools tournament is a shining example of a successful and massively competitive schools sport programme and we’re proud of its continued progression. “The ESRL is delighted that the number of teams and students competing in schools Rugby League continues to increase every year and you only need to see the expressions on the faces of the winning teams to know how much winning means to the players. “We’ve had feedback from some schools that have competed in the Carnegie Champion Schools competition that they have seen academic and behavioural improvements amongst students involved in schools Rugby League which is obviously fantastic news. “I would like to thank all RFL staff and volunteers involved in the Carnegie Champion Schools tournament and all schools and teachers who support this tournament, their continued commitment over the years is something we are very thankful for.” Schools Rugby - 2012 season review There are some great statistics this year as the competition has seen expansion across England and Wales. Over 50 per cent of all Yorkshire schools are now playing in the Champion Schools competition and for the first time the South West region have entered a team in all year groups from Year 7 to Year 11. History has been made in the North West this season with St Peters becoming the first school to qualify a team to the National stages in every year group. The North East has increased the number of schools playing in competition by three times the number from the 2011 season, whilst London, Wales, Midlands and Cumbria have also reported an increase in boys and girls teams taking part in the competitive schools Rugby League 2 | September 2012 Schools Rugby League Newsletter . The table shows a breakdown of Rugby League played in schools by regions across England and Wales in 2011 / 2012 with a further breakdown of Boys and Girls teams taking part in Rugby League. Regional Secondary School Activity Champion Emerging Schools Nines Touch RL Other Yorkshire 498 122 106 0 London and South 266 0 0 137 South West 22 0 26 30 Midlands 149 85 0 8 North West 470 242 174 736 Cumbria 49 0 0 25 Wales 132 0 0 0 North East 170 0 0 0 Total 1756 449 306 936 Breakdown of Boys and Girls Boys Teams Girls Teams Total Teams Yorkshire 550 176 726 London and South 346 57 403 South West 50 25 78 Midlands 162 80 242 North West 1106 516 1622 Cumbria 55 19 74 Wales 132 0 132 North East 108 62 170 Total 2509 935 3447 Note: Figures do not include all other forms of Rugby League played by local schools leagues 2012 Carnegie Champion Schools Finals The 2012 Carnegie Champion Schools competition reached its climax on Thursday 23rd August at the one of the Rugby League most iconic stadiums and home to Bradford Bulls, Odsal Stadium. The day saw 14 teams battle to become 2012 National Champions. The historic year 7 boys game between Castleford Academy and newcomers to the competition Howard of Effingham was played on the Saturday 25th August before the Challenge Cup Final. 3 | September 2012 Schools Rugby League Newsletter GIRLS YEAR 7: Castleford Academy 10 v 32 St Peters RC High School St Peters RC High School Year 7 girls eventually overcame Castleford Academy 32-10 in the Carnegie Champion Schools Final. Year 7 Sophie Cox Medal winner: Briched Atta (St Peters) GIRLS YEAR 8: St Peters RC High School 40 v 22 Settle Middle School The Manchester-based side made it back to back titles following a successful campaign last year when they won the Year Seven competition. A stunning seven tries from Janice Asamoah helped St Peters beat Settle Middle 40-22 in the Year Eight Carnegie Champion Schools final. Year 8 Lisa McIntosh Medal winner: Janice Asamoah (St Peters) BOYS YEAR 8: South Leeds Academy 18 v 34 St Wilfrids School St Wilfrids won their first ever National Final as they overcame a committed South Leeds side 34-18. Year 8 Kevin Sinfield Medal winner: Will Dagger (St Wilfrids) GIRLS YEAR 9: Castleford Academy 12 v 12 Settle College The Year 9 Girl’s final was shared after a closely fought 12-12 draw between Castleford Academy and Settle College. Year 9 Kath Hetherington Medal winner: Amber Tudor (Castleford Academy) BOYS YEAR 9 :St Peter & Paul Catholic College 30 v 18 Temple Moor High School Twins Carl and Daniel Keoghan scored two late tries as St Peter and Paul Catholic College beat Temple Moor High School 30–18 to be crowned Champions. Year 9 Terry O’Connor Medal winner: Eddie Connor (Sts Peter & Paul) GIRLS YEAR 10 :Castleford Academy 18 v 48 Hollingworth Business & Enterprise College An inspired Hollingworth performance saw them overcome Castleford Academy 48-18. A hat-trick of tries courtesy of the fantastic Haley Fielding set the ball rolling as her side romped to victory in an eight-try master class. Year 10 Brenda Dobek Medal winner: Hayley Fielding (Hollingworth) 4 | September 2012 Schools Rugby League Newsletter BOYS YEAR 10: Ystalyfera School 6 v 44 Outwood Grange Academy Outwood Grange Academy were the last winners on a day of excellent schools Rugby League with a 44-6 victory over Ystalyfera School. The year group were making their fourth final and were too good for their Welsh counterparts. Year 10 Denis Betts Medal winner: Keiran Holt (Outwood Grange) YEAR 7 BOYS,, Wembley Stadium: Castleford Academy 22 v 24 Howard of Effingham Howard of Effingham edged a thrilling encounter as they beat Castleford Academy 24-22 at a sun-soaked Wembley Stadium, ahead of the Carnegie Challenge Cup Final. Two tries apiece from man-of-the-match, Jordan Bond and Thomas McGachie, including the crucial final touchdown, were the difference as the pendulum swung back and forth throughout. Year 7 Chev Walker man of the match: Jordan Bond, Howard of Effingham. For full match reports on all the games please visit http://www.therfl.co.uk/championschools English Schools Rugby League Teacher of the Year Award 2012 The 2012 English Schools Rugby League Teacher of the Year Award was shared by Neil Ashton of St Peters School in Wigan and Alison Ward of Moreton Community School in Wolverhampton. The ESRL board chose two winners as it was felt both were deserving choices, Neil Ashton due to his invaluable work convening the Wigan Schools Champion Schools program and Alison Ward for her development work in the Midlands. Neil Ashton is being recognised for his eight years of service to Schools Rugby League in the North West and his invaluable work convening the Wigan Schools Champion Schools program. Alison Ward has been recognised for her development work within the Midlands going above and beyond to increase the profile of Rugby League within Wolverhampton. Alongside her voluntary coaching roles in the community Alison has organised regular in schools and after school Rugby League sessions and raised £800 for the benevolent fund for school Rugby League. The pair were presented with their awards on the pitch before the Carnegie Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 25th August. 5 | September 2012 Schools Rugby League Newsletter English Schools Celebration Evening After the success of the inaugural schools celebration event in 2011 the ESRL will be hosting its annual Rugby League Schools Celebration evening which will be held on the 10th November at Salford City Stadium before the Autumn International fixture. The event is an opportunity for all those involved in schools Rugby League to celebrate the achievements over the past year.