The first National Festivals for this seasons Girls Champion Schools competition were held recently and saw the first four teams secure a place in the National Finals.

Seven teams at Year 10 and six at Year 11, all from across the country, played out an exciting competition at Rochdale Mayfield with the ultimate aim of becoming national champions.VAUGHN RIDLEY/SWPIX.COM

At Year 10 Leigh Academy (Kent) get the opportunity to defend the title they won last year as Year 9 girls against Castleford Academy in the traditional Champion Schools Finals weekend in London prior to the Tetley’s Challenge Cup Final.

Whilst at Year 11 Settle College (North Yorkshire) will be hoping to make amends with a win following their last national final appearance two years ago where they drew the final and shared the trophy, however, they’ll face tough opposition in St Peter & Paul Catholic College (Halton) who finished the national festival unbeaten.

This seasons Year 11 Finals will be taking place at the home of First Utility Super League side Castleford Tigers on Tuesday April 29

The Girls will get proceedings underway at 5:30pm followed by the Boys final between Stainburn (Allerdale) and Dowdales (Barrow) at 6:45pm.

Final Details:
Year 10 – Friday August 22 at Richmond Athletic Club
Leigh Academy v Castleford Academy KO TBC
Year 11- Tuesday April 29 at Castleford Tigers
Settle College v St Peter & Paul Catholic College KO 5:30pm

Year 10 National Festival Teams:
Leigh Academy (Kent)
Castleford Academy (Wakefield)
St Peters (Manchester)
Astley High School (Northumberland)
Outwood Grange (Wakefield)
Southfields (Allerdale)
St Mary’s (Wigan & Leigh)

Year 11 National Festival Teams:
St Peter & Paul Catholic College (Halton)
Settle College (North Yorkshire)
Royds School (Leeds)
Wade Deacon (Halton)
Castleford Academy (Wakefield)
Monkseaton (North Tyneside)