Hopwood Rugby Team become National Champs

Date published: 26/01/2006

On 25 January in front of a packed stand at Castleton Gabriels, Hopwood Hall’s Rugby League Academy clinched the Student Under 19 National Cup Final with a 18 -14 win against St Helens. Hopwood’s team spirit got them through the game, despite losing Captain Andy Gray and Scrum Half Gavin Clough early on with injuries.

Hopwood had been on a team building weekend a few days before the match, which started with training at college on the Saturday then onto a restaurant in Manchester for a meal and later moved to Laser Quest in Rochdale. The team also went ten pin bowling the day of the game just to calm their nerves. These activities came at the end of two weeks of intensive training leading up to the final which included video analysis of the St Helens side. The extra preparation certainly did the trick, as St Helens were hot favourites to win the cup, remaining unbeaten until yesterday’s game.

Last year, the Academy played host to the New Zealand Kiwi Rugby League team who trained at Hopwood in preparation for the Tri Nations Championship. The Kiwis went on to become world champions, winning the tournament 24-0 against Australia. 

Matt Calland, Head Coach of Hopwood’s Rugby League Academy said: “The lads are ecstatic with their win over St Helens and are proud to be bringing the trophy back to Hopwood Hall. Their team work and determination made them worthy winners.  This really gives the Academy a boost, as we can now say that Hopwood is the home of national champions. I think the Kiwi’s success must have rubbed off on us!”