Key Points
- The London and South East London National Champion Schools Rugby League finals will be held in January.
- All five finals are scheduled at Chiswick RUFC, the home of London Broncos Women.
- Nearly 1,500 boys from almost 50 schools across London and South East London joined qualifying rounds.
- St James’ Boys School in Ashford excelled, reaching two finals.
- Nine schools from Years 7–11 will compete in January finals, showing strong regional breadth.
- South East London and South London teams dominate four out of five finals.
- Winners will advance to the National Champion Schools ‘Round of 16’.
- Rick Jones, Chair of the London Rugby League Foundation, commended the “fantastic talent” displayed across London and the South East.
- National fixtures include the Stephen Mullaney Memorial Final at Wembley Stadium.
- Finals for national age groups are scheduled between April and June 2026.
As the New Year begins, schools from South East London and beyond are gearing up for one of the biggest youth Rugby League events in the region — the London and South East National Champion Schools finals. With nearly 1,500 young players, the contest highlights the growth of the sport across the capital’s southern and eastern areas.
Why are the London and South East London finals so important?
As reported by Matthew Shaw of TotalRL.com, the upcoming London and South East London National Champion Schools Rugby League finals will be staged in mid-to-late January at Chiswick RUFC, home of London Broncos Women. The finals bring together the top school teams from across London and the South East — especially those from South East London boroughs like Bromley, Lewisham, and Greenwich — as they fight for regional supremacy and a shot at national recognition.
According to Rick Jones, Chair of the London Rugby League Foundation,
“Nearly 1,500 boys players from nearly 50 schools across the region took part in regional qualifying competitions in order to progress to the London Festivals, where the best half-dozen teams from each age group competed for a place in the London finals.”
The event reinforces Rugby League’s emergence as a popular sport in South East London, an area traditionally known for football but now gaining prominence for producing talented Rugby League players.
Which schools from South East London have made their mark?
Rick Jones shared that St James’ Boys School, based in Ashford, was the standout performer during qualifiers, reaching the finals in both Year 10 and Year 11. However, South East London schools have also been highly competitive, led by Langley Park School for Boys in Beckenham (Bromley), which reached the national quarter-finals last year.
“South London teams reached four of the five finals, however, nine different schools reached the London finals overall across the Year 7 to Year 11 age groups, showing the breadth and depth of the competition across the region,”
Jones said.
Langley Park, in particular, has been flying the flag for South East London Rugby League over the past few seasons, helping the area gain recognition as a key development hub for the sport.
How has participation grown across South East London?
The South East London Rugby League scene has shown impressive growth through school-level engagement. Programmes supported by the London Rugby League Foundation have extended to schools across Bromley, Bexley, and southeast boroughs such as Lewisham, encouraging hundreds of pupils to take up Rugby League for the first time.
Jones added:
“Given the strength of the South-East schools, we look forward to them providing strong competition to those from the heartlands.”
His comment reflects the growing confidence among South East London educators and coaches that their pupils can compete with counterparts from Rugby League’s traditional strongholds in the North.
What’s next for the winners from South East London?
The winners of the London and South East London finals will advance to the Round of 16 in the National Champion Schools Competition. From there, they could face northern powerhouses from Yorkshire, Lancashire, or Cumbria.
Jones reflected on last year’s results:
“Langley Park progressed to the national quarter-final in the Year 7 competition last year, only losing to the eventual winners from St Helens, while St James Boys and Dorothy Stringer lost tight matches in Cumbria and Hull, and Hemel Hempstead school lost to a side from Warrington.”
This performance solidified South East London’s growing role within school-level Rugby League, demonstrating that the region can now produce teams capable of challenging established Rugby League institutions.
When and where do the finals take place?
The prestigious finals will take place at Chiswick RUFC, located in West London, but the majority of competing teams hail from South East London and Surrey.
“As usual, the Boys Year 7 Stephen Mullaney Memorial Final will take place at Wembley Stadium before the Betfred Challenge Cup final on Saturday, May 30, while the Year 8, 9, and 10 finals will be during the week of June 29 and the Year 11 final will be on Wednesday, April 22,” said Jones.
These locations offer young players from South East London a chance to showcase their skills on some of the nation’s most iconic Rugby League stages — from community venues to Wembley itself.
Why is South East London important to British Rugby League?
South East London’s rise as a Rugby League hub is part of a broader vision to expand the sport beyond its northern heartlands. Over the past decade, initiatives led by the London Rugby League Foundation and the RFL have planted lasting roots in boroughs such as Greenwich, Bromley, Lewisham, and Croydon.
Schools like Langley Park, Harris Academy Falconwood, and Crown Woods College have become regular participants in junior competitions, developing local players who have gone on to represent London Broncos’ youth and academy teams.
Jones noted the developmental importance:
“They help identify and nurture young talent, inspire camaraderie, and maintain Rugby League’s values of teamwork, respect, and sportsmanship.”
What does the future hold for South East London Rugby League?
The future appears promising. With strong representation in 2026 finals and steady participation growth, South East London is firmly establishing itself as a Rugby League powerhouse within the capital. The network of committed schools and community clubs ensures that young athletes continue receiving the opportunities and exposure required to progress through the sport.
As January’s finals approach, anticipation is building not only in West London, where matches will be hosted, but especially across South East London, where Rugby League enthusiasm is reaching record levels. For local players, this is not just about winning silverware — it’s about cementing their region’s place in Britain’s Rugby League story.
