Congratulations to Corpus Christi Catholic College on their progression to two National Schools Finals in recent weeks.
Their journey to the finals is a huge success story for rugby league development, given that little rugby was played at the school eight years ago.
The Year 7 girls qualified for the final after beating Castleford Academy 22-0 and became the first girls’ team in Leeds to ever progress through to the final. This achievement is an indication of the growth of the women’s game in the city and the school, who also recently celebrated the selection of their former pupil, Chloe Kerrigan, in the first Leeds Rhinos Academy squad. They will now play Wade Deacon in the final on July 6 at Victoria Park, Warrington.
Lois Forsell, women and girls development officer for Leeds Rhinos Foundation and current Leeds Rhinos Women’s captain has been working with the school for many years and said their achievement is one that should be celebrated.
“The work done by the teachers, James Endersby and Tom Wandless, to develop rugby league in the school has been fantastic and I am really pleased they are beginning to get reward for their hard work,” said Lois. “I have been working with Corpus Christi for many years, both in my role at Leeds Rhinos Foundation and before, and they have grown in strength each year and it will be a proud day for the and the city to see two teams compete in the final next month.”
The Year 8 boys earned their place in the final with a 44-24 victory over St Benedict’s and they now face Castleford Academy in the final.
Leeds Rhinos Foundation has supported the school’s rugby league delivery through coaching in P.E. lessons and after school clubs as part of its rugby league development plan, sponsored by MEARS, which aims to develop more players and improve standards. The school have also been active in the Sky Try 9s festivals and recently were the crowned Champions at the Sky Try 9s Finals.
Ian Hardman, rugby league development officer at Leeds Rhinos Foundation said: “This is a superb achievement for the school, their players and their coaches, James and Tom. We are very proud of their achievements and we will all be cheering them on in the finals!”
Both finals will take place at Victoria Park, Warrington on July 6.