The 2012 English Schools Rugby League Teacher of the Year Award will be shared by Neil Ashton of St Peters School in Wigan and Alison Ward of Moreton Community School in Wolverhampton.

The ESRL board chose two winners as it was felt both were deserving choices, Neil Ashton due to his invaluable work convening the Wigan Schools Champion Schools program and Alison Ward for her development work in the Midlands.

Neil Ashton is being recognised for his eight years of service to Schools Rugby League in the North West.

Alongside his full time teaching role at St Peters School, which this year has achieved all five school teams reaching the national stages of the competition, Neil is the current secretary for Wigan Schools.
He has worked with the regional team in completing local fixtures, the largest number of school games in any other area. In 2011 alone, this led to over 60 local fixtures in three weeks taking place under Neil’s management which is testament to his great work.

Outside of school, Neil is a family man and a proud dad of two girls, however he still finds time to watch Rugby League games at the weekend to support the young players that represent his school for the local scholarship clubs and community based teams.

Alison Ward has been recognised for her development work within the midlands going above and beyond to increase the profile of Rugby League within Wolverhampton.

Alongside her voluntary coaching roles in the community Alison has organised regular in schools and after school rugby league sessions and raised £800 for the benevolent fund through a school Rugby League competition.

She has also organised local trips to the four nations and Grand Final to allow pupils in the midlands to experience Rugby League at its highest level.

The pair will be presented with their awards on the pitch at the Carnegie Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium in August.

For more information about Rugby League’s Carnegie Champion Schools competition visit: www.therfl.co.uk/championschools