2012 has been the most successful year ever for Rugby League in London with more people playing the sport than ever before.

The high-profile triumph of Surrey-based Howard of Effingham School who became the first team from the South to win the Year 7 Carnegie Champion Schools final at Wembley highlighted on the sport’s biggest stage the progress which has been made.

This progress has also been mirrored in the London Youth and Junior competitions which are sponsored by Liontrust and enjoyed a successful 2012 featuring 1,200 players across 40 teams that played a total of 269 games.

RFL Regional Development officer for London Andy Gilvary said: “In 2004 there were just 16 youth and junior teams in London with 56 games played, four years later in 2008 there were 110 games played across the entire programme.

“The league has almost tripled since then in terms of playing opportunities with 269 games in 2012.

“A total of 1,500 players and over 65 teams were involved across the minis, Under-12s, -14s, -16s, and -18s competitions which climaxed in July and we are delighted with this continued progress which is down to the hard work of both development staff and volunteers.”

RFL London Regional Manager Dan Steel said: “It’s been a great year for the youth, junior and mini competitions in London and both the men’s and women’s competitions in London have also grown and strengthened.

“There were 105 women registered for the Southern Women’s League which is double those registered in 2011.

“A successful 9s launch for the men’s league season helped all teams get to the starting line and this summer 207 from 230  league games were played giving a 90 per cent completion rate.

“The season also featured 38 games in the Challenge Cup, a play-off series with 24 games and a successful Grand Finals and Challenge Cup final day, all of which bodes well for the future.”

For more information on London Rugby League visit: www.londonrugbyleague.co.uk