This week, Victoria Pleasure Ground in Goole played host to the 2026 return of the Year 11 Boys’ and Girls’ Champion Schools Finals on Wednesday 22 April. The finals marked the culmination of weeks of dedication, effort and Rugby League action, with young players from across the country proudly representing their schools. Bathed in sunshine, it proved to be a perfect day for Rugby League!
Year 11 Girls’ Final
The Year 11 girls’ competition began back in November with the National Girls Festivals, where teams competed within their regional areas. The top two teams from each festival earned their place in this year’s final.
St Peter’s Catholic High School, representing the North West, arrived eager and ready, awaiting their opponents St John Fisher (CVA) from Yorkshire. Both teams brought enthusiasm and determination, reflecting the growing strength and passion within girls’ Rugby League.
Kicking off at 4:15pm, the match quickly developed into a closely contested encounter, with both sides showcasing impressive skill and resilience. Early momentum swung in favour of St John Fisher, although they were denied two early tries thanks to outstanding defensive efforts from St Peter’s.
The deadlock was eventually broken by St John Fisher, who went into half-time leading 4–0.
The second half began in similar fashion, with St John Fisher starting strongly once again. However, St Peter’s responded well and managed to get themselves on the scoreboard. The game featured dynamic attacking play and determined defence from both teams, keeping spectators fully engaged throughout.
Despite the close contest, St John Fisher ultimately emerged victorious, securing an 18–4 win.
Year 11 Boys’ Final
Next came the Year 11 boys’ final, which saw a repeat of the 2025 Year 10 fixture as Castleford Academy faced Sirius Academy once again. With Sirius Academy seeking redemption and Castleford Academy aiming to maintain their winning record in this rivalry, the stage was set for another thrilling encounter.
From the first whistle, the match was played at a fierce intensity, with players from both sides putting their bodies on the line to gain the advantage. Play moved end-to-end, with both teams battling hard to get points on the board.
It was Sirius Academy who took control in the first half, building a commanding lead and heading into the break 18–0.
The second half saw an even higher level of intensity, as Castleford Academy pushed hard to respond, while Sirius Academy remained resolute in defence. Castleford were eventually rewarded for their efforts with a well-worked try and successful conversion midway through the half.
However, Sirius Academy maintained their dominance to secure a 24–6 victory at the final whistle.
Andrea Murray, the RFL’s National Education Manager, said:
“As always, it was great to welcome the competing schools to the Champion Schools Finals. Every year, the standard continues to rise and today was no exception. The commitment, skill and sportsmanship shown by all players was outstanding, and they should be incredibly proud of their achievements.
“These events are a fantastic celebration of school Rugby League, bringing together young people from across the country and showcasing the strength of the game at grassroots level. We would like to thank all the schools, teachers, coaches and volunteers who make these opportunities possible.”
