St Peter’s High School has written its name in the record books by becoming the first school to have all five year groups qualify for the national stages of the Carnegie Champion Schools competition.

When the RFL re-launched champion schools in 2002 the Wigan school managed to get two sides – year seven and year eight – to the finals, whilst their progress has continued in recent years with the year 11 team winning the national final in 2006.

“We’ve not managed to get to another final since 2006 but as a whole the rugby at St Peter’s has continued to go from strength to strength,” said teacher Neil Ashton.

“To be the first school to have all five teams in the national competition is a phenomenal achievement for our school.

“We are quite a small school often competing against schools twice our size, especially since the formation of Academies.

“We have over 100 players involved which means that more than 20% of all the boys in school play Rugby League.”

RFL North West Regional Manager Dan Parkinson also paid tribute to the schools efforts.

“This is a fantastic achievement for St Peters, the local area and all involved at the school. To get one team through to the Champion Schools National stages is great, to get five teams through is outstanding. Every player deserves a great deal of praise for this achievement.

“Special thanks must go to Neil Ashton who not only has managed to support all five teams through into the national stages, but has managed the local Wigan & Leigh competition seeing over 53 games being played back in September. Congratulations once again!”

Wigan Warriors head coach Shaun Wane last week called in at the school to congratulate them on their efforts.


For more information on the Carnegie Champion Schools competition visit http://www.therfl.co.uk/championschools