Hull school rugby team to play at Wembley before Challenge Cup final

Archbishop Sentamu Academy's Year 7 boys are first out onto the hallowed turf on Saturday for the 'Champion Schools' final

Author: Laurence GriffinPublished 11th Aug 2023
Last updated 11th Aug 2023

Hull KR face Leigh Leopards in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley, but they're not the only Hull rugby league stars making the trip down south for the weekend.

Just a few minutes down the road from Craven Park, Archbishop Sentamu Academy's Year 7 rugby team have been training for their own final.

They'll take part in the traditional curtain-raiser match in the morning, before Leeds Rhinos face St Helen's in the women's final at midday, followed by the men's game at 3pm. B

y sheer chance, they'll also play a team from Leigh in the form of Bedford High School.

Team Captain Ellis said:

"I'm excited and nervous at the same time but hopefully we go and win it. We've had a lot of hard games and a lot of hard training sessions.

"It'll be life-changing and a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all of us. It'll put a bit of toughness in us and just make us want to win more."

It will be a big day for rugby in Hull, but not everyone on the team will be completely behind the Rovers. Oscar is one of those players with allegiances elsewhere - he said: "I'm on the other side, I'm a Hull FC fan but it'll be good to see both Hull teams, and we've got a team from Leigh playing against us so it'll be a good battle.

"I'm proud, it's history - not just for the school but also for Hull, so if we get there and win it, it'll be even better. I'll get a bit nervous on the day but I think I'll get through it, and the team will as well."

Archbishop Sentamu Academy's team is no stranger to success, thanks to its sports scholarship programme.

Pete Grayburn has been coaching the team and preparing them for the big day:

"We've tried to play it down as much as we can, but we've got to enjoy the experience and yes, it would be fantastic to win at Wembley but for this group it's about going there and enjoying the occasion because of the best rugby league players in the world don't get this opportunity."

"The school's backed us a lot, but we wanted to kit them all out with travel and take them out for a meal and make the experience enjoyable. There's been several companies that have helped us, as well as parents, guidance and the wider community of East Hull and beyond - without their support this trip wouldn't have happened."

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