Secondary School Festival set to inspire!

York RLFC Foundation will welcome Secondary Schools from across North Yorkshire to our annual autumn Secondary 9s Festivals!

The series of festivals offers a 9-a-side contact Rugby League playing opportunity for school years 7-11, for both boys and girls, with all festivals taking place in York.

To date, a total of 14 secondary schools have entered from areas including Knaresborough, Boroughbridge, Selby, Tadcaster, and Sherburn, alongside a strong representation from schools in York.

The first of the festivals will take place later in September.

Schools from across York & North Yorkshire are invited to take part in these 'Inspired By 9s' Festivals, which provide playing opportunities for a range of abilities. By providing a positive experience of the sport, the aim is to signpost new players to local community clubs and help grow the sport, as well as promote the successful York RLFC Excel Lions Player Development Programme.

The first festival of the new school year will start with the Year 11 boys later in September, with a festival then held each week for the remainder of the term.

York RLFC Delivery Manager Adam Prentis said: "The events are a key part of the York RLFC Foundation's schools programme, which aims to develop rugby league talent and community engagement.

“We are seeing an upward trend of schools wanting to participate each year, with the 9-a-side format proving popular with schools. The feedback received from the PE teachers praising the modified rules helping to make the sport relatively easy to both learn and teach.

“We have seen children we have visited in primary schools, develop and transition to secondary schools to continue their interest and participation in the sport.

“The festivals run alongside our range of courses for teachers to help provide new ideas on methods of delivery and help drive standards.”

"We encourage all students to represent their school, including those who may already play at a community club, as well as those who are relatively new.”

Entry for schools is free and open to all secondary schools in North Yorkshire.

Any schools wishing to know more or to enter a team, please contact a.prentis@yorkrlfc.com or call 01904 670880 and ask for the Foundation team.

For information on local community club contacts, please click HERE.

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