High Schools in Leeds have started their year-long rugby league campaigns organised by Leeds Rhinos Foundation this month, including preparation and early knockout fixtures in the RFL’s National Champion Schools competition
Open to every secondary school in England, Wales and Scotland for girls and boys – the Champion Schools competition has provided the curtain raiser to the Challenge Cup final since 2002, when the tournament was re-launched by the RFL and the English Schools Rugby League.
Working alongside school P.E staff from the schools in the four corners of the city, Rugby League Development Officers Ian Hardman (East), Callum Tolson (West), Joe Sanderson (North) and Lois Forsell (Girls) will be supporting the teams playing in the competition this year as the city hopes to get more representatives to the National Finals.
This term will also see schools begin the Leeds and Hunslet Schools Competition which culminates in finals matches at Headingley Carnegie Stadium each year to determine the best school sides in Leeds in years 7-11.
Coaching from the Leeds Rhinos Foundation to prepare schools for competitions this year will once again be funded by the Rugby League Development Plan sponsored by Mears and Sky Try, which primarily works with year 7 teams new to the competitions with after school, lunch time and curriculum coaching.
Competitions Coordinator for Leeds Rhinos Foundation Lois Forsell said:
“Our support for rugby league at high school level in the city now extends beyond organising Leeds school competitions and qualifying stages for the national Champion Schools tournament to providing a dedicated member of staff to support the development needs of schools in the four areas of the city.
"The delivery supports PE staff to deliver high quality Rugby League lessons to their students preparing their school teams for the Champion Schools Competitions. The PE lessons focus on the player's core skills, preparing them to play in 13 a 'side games, developing their game understanding and the rules in a fun and challenging environment."
Leeds Rhinos Foundation's work in high schools is funded by the Rugby League Development Plan sponsored by Mears and Sky Try, for more information on the plan
visit http://www.leedsrhinosfoundation.org/sport/rl_development_plan.php