On Friday 3 July, the Champion Schools finals returned to Victoria Pleasure Grounds, home of Goole Vikings, to close the 2026 season with five thrilling consecutive finals.
The Year 10 Girls’ Final then followed at Magic Weekend at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium, marking its first appearance at the event since 2023.
Teams from the North West, Yorkshire and Wales battled through numerous matches to reach the final stage of the national schools tournament. Participating schools included:
- Airedale Academy
- St John Fisher
- Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr
- Castleford Academy
- Liberty Academy
- Bedford High School
- Malet Lambert
- Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf
- Rainford High School
- Sirius Academy West
- St Bede’s & St Joseph’s Catholic College
Year 8 Girls: Airedale Academy 30–6 St John Fisher
Airedale used the experience of last year’s final to go one better and claim the Year 8 title. Player of the Match Phoebe O was devastating in attack, producing a series of strong carries.
Year 7 Girls: Ysgol Gyfun Cymraeg Plasmawr 28–10 Castleford Academy
Ysgol Plasmawr backed up their outstanding festival performances to win the Year 7 title. Many of the players were new to Rugby League, having grown up playing union, but transferred their skills brilliantly to overcome a resilient Castleford side.
Year 10 Boys: Liberty Academy 38–18 Bedford High School
The game remained in the balance until the final 10 minutes, when two late tries from Liberty Academy, both breaking from deep, swung the momentum their way. It was a high-quality contest, with plenty of skill and passion on show from both teams.
Year 9 Boys: Malet Lambert 22–12 Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Glantaf
Malet Lambert exceeded expectations by beating two-time finalists and last year’s winners Ysgol Glantaf with a controlled performance. As the only team from outside the regional finalists to make the finals, Malet Lambert seized their opportunity and took home the national title.
Year 8 Boys: Rainford High School 30–4 Sirius Academy West
In a repeat of last year’s Wembley final, the result was the same, but Sirius Academy West closed the gap significantly in both scoreline and performance. Rainford had to be at their best to earn the win and retain the title.
Year 9 Girls: St Bede’s & St Joseph’s Catholic College 50–4 Liberty Academy
The same teams contested the Yorkshire Final earlier in the year when Golden Point extra time was needed to find a winner.
This time, St Bede’s & St Joseph’s delivered a dominant performance from start to finish. An early score from a Liberty mistake gave them a fast start, and they never looked back. Captain Farida Mak produced an outstanding display, running in five tries as her side proved too strong for Liberty Academy.
Year 10 Girls: Liberty Academy 32–4 St John Fisher CVA
It was a huge occasion for the competition, with high-quality Rugby League on show from both teams on the big stage.
Liberty scored first after a tight opening exchange and took control before half-time. St John Fisher found a consolation score in a much tighter second half but could not claw their way back into the game. Nancy P produced a Player of the Match display, combining devastating carries with a try-scoring double as Liberty proved too strong on the day.
Andrea Murray, National Education Manager, said:
"On behalf of everyone at the RFL, our congratulations go to all the winners, the finalists and the dozens of schools and players who have competed in the 2026 Champion Schools competitions.
“We are grateful to Victoria Pleasure Grounds, home of Goole Vikings as our 2026 dedicated venue for Champion Schools Finals Days.
“It has been brilliant to see the fantastic talent on show, and we wholeheartedly would like to thank all schools competing for representing the game respectfully, to a high quality and remarkable standard."
