National Schools Sports Week: Rugby League goes ‘Inspiration All’

National Schools Sports Week – Rugby League goes 'Inspiration All'

It's National Schools Sports Week and Warrington has been hosting the RLWC2021 'Inspiration All' National 9s Finals - a three-day celebration of Junior Rugby League involving more than 500 players from 'emerging' schools.

Forty teams from across the north of England had fun in the sun at Victoria Park, with Year 7 Boys playing on Tuesday, Year 7 and 8 Girls on Wednesday and finally today, Thursday, Year 8 Boys rounding off a wonderful week of Rugby League.

The emphasis was on participation, development and enjoyment, with 'fair play' awards won by Calderstones (Liverpool), Blessed Thomas Holford (Altrincham) and Outwood Academy (Haydock).

RFL Secondary Schools Manager, Andrea Murray, explains: "According to National Schools Sports Week, when it comes to school sport there is a place for every child - and that's what we've seen in Warrington this week.

"A big thank you to our colleagues at RLWC2021 for backing the event and to all the schools who took part. We had a wonderful time, with games played in the right spirit and with a strong emphasis on maximising opportunities for everybody to enjoy the game."

'Inspiration All' is part of RLWC2021's social impact programme, through which this year’s Rugby League World Cup will ensure a lasting legacy.

Next up on the school sports calendar is the finals day for Champion Schools, the RFL's flagship schools event which this year moves to Newcastle.

On Friday 8 July finalists from Year 7 all the way up to Year 10 will travel to Tyneside for a shot at Champion Schools glory. Girls and boys representatives from every year group will take to the Kingston Park pitch, home of Newcastle Thunder, throughout the day, while the Year 7 Boys Final – the Steven Mullaney Memorial Game – will take place the following day at Newcastle United’s St James’s Park ahead of the Betfred Super League Magic Weekend.