RFL makes Challenge Cup Final a day to remember for hundreds of schoolchildren

Spectators and armchair supporters watching Saturday’s Challenge Cup Final between Huddersfield Giants and Wigan Warriors will have noticed hundreds of children taking part in a pre-match parade on the pitch at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.  

Around 300 children from 19 community clubs nationwide took part in the parade, which followed a successful Challenge Cup Final Primary RL Festival on Saturday morning at the New River Sports Centre in Haringey, home of London Skolars. There were U7s, U9s and U11s age groups that made up the festival with 100 games played during the mornings activity. 

Stephen Guan, the RFL’s Southern Regions Development Manager, said: â€œWe aimed to give children a fantastic and fun playing experience, an opportunity to play teams from outside of their regions, and for all players to improve their skills and experience a positive playing environment. It was a delight to see so many kids with smiles on their faces enjoying the sport of Rugby League.   

"The festival was less about finding a winning team and more about maximising playing time for the players. All the coaches were excellent on the day and really bought into the spirit of ‘Enjoy the Game’ with their encouraging and supportive behaviour. A big RFL ‘thank you’ goes to all those coaches, managers and parents who got all the teams down for the morning’s activities and also to the volunteers who helped make the day such a success. Having the opportunity to walk alongside the pitch at the state-of-the-art Tottenham Hotspurs Stadium ahead of the Challenge Cup Final was the icing on the cake and will be something they’ll remember forever.”  

The following clubs took part.  

Beverley Braves, Beverley 

Bassetlaw Bulldogs RLFC, East Markham 

Leamington Royals, Leamington Spa 

Medway Dragons, Gillingham, Kent 

Newsome Panthers, Huddersfield 

Cadishead Rhinos, Cadishead, Manchester  

New Ravens RL, Birmingham  

West Bowling ARLFC, Bradford 

Normanton Knights, Normanton  

Shrewsbury Lions, Shrewsbury 

Doncaster Toll Bar, Doncaster 

Elmbridge Eagles, Elmbridge 

Shine All Golds, Bristol 

Portico Vine ARLFC, St. Helens 

Blackbrook Royals, St Helens 

Brixton Bulls, Brixton, London 

Farnley Falcons, Leeds 

London Skolars, Haringey, London 

West Oxfordshire Levellers, Witney, Oxfordshire 

Once final details for the 2023 Challenge Cup Final have been confirmed, registrations will open for the 2023 Primary RL Festival and Pitch Parade.