The Carnegie Champion Schools Rugby League tournament continues to expand in Yorkshire with over 50 per cent of all secondary schools in the county now playing in the competition.

The local stages of the 2011-2012 competition have now been completed in Yorkshire leaving 32 teams in each age group to contest the regional stages of the world’s largest knockout Rugby League competition.

The RFL’s Director of Participation, David Gent said: “The continued expansion of the Carnegie Champion Schools competition is testament to the hard work of the Rugby League development staff who work tirelessly to introduce the sport to new people.

“The fact that over 50 per cent of all the secondary schools in Yorkshire have taken part in the Carnegie Champion Schools competition this year is fantastic and highlights how strong Rugby League is in this region.”

This year over 7,000 boys and over 420 teams including 20 new schools have taken part in the local stages of the competition. There will be also be eight schools making their debuts at the regional stages over the next few weeks.

The debutants include Shurburn, Milthorpe, Selby High, Brayton High all representing North Yorkshire, Clifton (Rotherham) from South Yorkshire as well as Shelly High and Castle Hall from Kirklees and Immanuel college, Bradford.

Last year’s Year 7 Wembley finalists both start their campaigns with home ties with champions Brooksbank coming up against Priesthorpe (Leeds) and South Leeds Academy drawn against Trinity Academy (Calderdale)

Temple Moor High School, the national finalists in 2010 and 2011 start with a home tie against St Catherine’s (Calderdale)

Year 11 sees two times national champions Brooksbank entertain Corpus Christie in their bid to make it 3 in a row whilst Sirius Academy Yorkshire champions for the last 2 years are looking to hold onto that title and go one better with a national trophy starting with a home tie against St Wilfrids (Wakefield).

To see the full draw and for further details about the competition and results please visit www.carnegiechampionschools.co.uk