Champion Schools

Rugby League's Nation-wide School competition

Champion Schools is the Rugby Football League’s flagship school’s competition and the world's biggest Rugby League knockout competition. It is open to all secondary schools across England and Wales. The tournament was re-launched in 2002 and has featured hundreds of schools, thousands of young Rugby League players - supporting the development of the sport's next generation across the length and breadth of the country.

The tournament has gone from strength to strength in recent years, offering opportunities for both boys and girls to experience Rugby League and test themselves from local to regional and then ultimately the national stages; the Year 7 Boys play their final at Wembley Stadium and the Year 10 girls will also have a standalone final from 2023, with the first of these being held at Magic Weekend at St James Park.

For boys, schools compete local and regional activity to win through to the national knock-out stages. Girls compete in festival formats which progress from local to regional and finally national events, before playing a semi-final fixture to decide the two teams progressing to the final.

To get involved, simply contact Andrea.Murray@rfl.co.uk.

The Steven Mullaney Memorial Game

Steven Mullaney, a schoolboy Rugby League player, thrilled television viewers across the country by scoring a superb solo try as Wakefield Schools defeated St Helens 17-0 in the traditional Year 7 Boys curtain-raiser at Wembley, before the 1986 Challenge Cup Final.

Tragically, Steven died in a road traffic accident the following year. As a tribute to him, the English Schools' Year Seven Boys (under 12s) game, was renamed the 'The Steven Mullaney Memorial Game.'

Since then, generations of young players have carried on his joy of playing Rugby League by taking part in what has become an integral part of the Ladbrokes Challenge Cup Final day. And some of those young players have gone on to make their mark on both the professional and international stage.

Famous Year 7 Boys Finalists include: Joe Lydon (Widnes, Wigan & Great Britain); David Hulme (Widnes & Great Britain); Mike Ford (Wigan, Castleford & Great Britain); David Plange (Castleford, Warrington & Great Britain); Denis Betts (Wigan, Auckland Warriors & Great Britain); Bobbie Goulding (Wigan, Leeds, Widnes, St Helens, Rochdale Hornets & Great Britain); Terry O'Connor (Wigan, Oldham, Wigan, Widnes Vikings & Great Britain); Phil Clarke (Wigan, Sydney Roosters & Great Britain); Chev Walker (Leeds Rhinos & Great Britain); Kevin Sinfield (Leeds Rhinos & Great Britain).

The showcase fixture gives Year 7 players the opportunity to perform in front of tens of thousands of fans, alongside the possibility of appearing in front of millions of television viewers across the nation.

9s Rugby League

Inspired By 9s is a Rugby League offer for emerging schools in the secondary sector. It sits on both the School Games and Schools Rugby League competition structures. It is a playing opportunity for Year 7, 8 and 9 pupils for schools and players that don't play regular Rugby League or that are new to the game. The 9s competition gives players the opportunity to play 9-a-side Rugby League in local Level 2 School Games 9s festivals delivered by SGO’s and Rugby League Foundations under the School Games competition format. The Level 2 festival winners from each area are invited by the Rugby Football League to take part in the Inspired By 9s Level 3 finals events in both the North and South regions, representing their area in a central RFL competition with tiered progressions throughout the event.

More information on 9s Rugby League

Tag Rugby League

Tag Rugby League is the RFL’s School Games offer for KS2. Taking part in this competition will give many pupils their first experience of playing Rugby League and encourage them to seek more regular playing opportunities at a local community club. This simplified format is designed for all KS2 pupils, with the emphasis being on fun, participation and respect for all involved. Rugby League Foundations and SGO’s provide festival-style Tag Rugby League playing opportunities using the School Games framework across Level 1 – Level 3. Tag Rugby League will teach children skills and knowledge and build their confidence. It encourages healthy movement and supports young people in developing physical literacy, communication and social skills that will support both their personal development and encourage a lifelong participation in sport.

More information on Try Tag Rugby League