The Rugby Football League, with input from education partners, have carried out a comprehensive review of the Boys' Champion Schools programme and the competition is heading for some exciting changes for the 2017/18 academic year.
Champion Schools has been the only competition offer for secondary schools to engage with Rugby League, however this has meant that there have been numerous local and regional variations of the competition.
Through the review, the Rugby Football League has worked to help the competition to have more of a consistent feel throughout the country.
Key Changes:
There is a new three-tier approach to the Schools Rugby League competition offer:
- Tier 1 - Elite Regional Schools League - qualification required
- Tier 2 - Local Schools League
- Tier 3 - Sky Try School Games 9s activity
Tier 1 and 2 will be 13 a-side games (Champion Schools)
Tier 3 is open to schools to field additional teams of 'new' players; or for new schools who are starting out in Rugby League (School Games).
Only Tier 1 schools will be able to qualify for the National Champion Schools Competition.
Team Sheets will be compulsory at all levels of the game; this is to support players on their journey through the sport and will be done through the Rugby Football League's online competition management system, STG.
National Rounds will be a 16-team knockout competition.
The Girls' Champion Schools competition will remain the same for 2017/18.
There will be a review of with partners during the next academic year to ensure the Girls' competition is exciting, inclusive and provides more exit routes for girls who would like to take their Rugby League further.
The Champion Schools entry form can be found HERE and should be returned to laura.fairbank@rfl.uk.com.
For more information of any of the new tiers of competition, please contact:
Adam Hughes, Development: Education National Manager E: adam.hughes@rfl.co.uk M: 07595 520185
Stephen Guan, Development: Education E: stephen.guan@rfl.uk.com M:07891 311010
