The growing popularity of Rugby League in the capital was highlighted at Staines RFC where more than 2,000 people were involved in the 2009 London Rugby League Junior Grand Finals day.
Over 200 games were played involving 40 teams and 1,100 players from under-12s to under-18s. All watched by 1,000-strong crowd. The winning teams in each age group will parade around The Stoop on Saturday afternoon during the engage Super League match between Harlequins RL and St Helens.
It’s just another indicator of the strength of the regional league structure, which looks set for yet another year of growth in 2010.
Andrew Gilvary, Regional Development Officer for London and the South, said: “With more players, volunteers, coaches and rugby league community members than ever before, the future of the game looks set again to progress in 2010.”
And after the success of this year’s competition, the Stoop looks set to stage this well-supported event next season.
“Junior Rugby League in London and the South continues to grow as the popularity of the sport becomes firmly embedded in our region,” continued Gilvrary. “The Grand Finals were a superb example of how a community can come together to celebrate a sport such as Rugby League in a positive and competitive manner.”
Final Scores:
U12s: Richmond Warriors 42-18 Croydon Hurricanes
U13s: Elmbridge Eagles 38-10 Feltham Falcons
U14s: Elmbridge Eagles 40-4 Greenwich Admirals
U16s: West London Sharks 22-18 Elmbridge Eagles
U18s: South London Academy 46-26 Greenwich Admirals
Ian Bridge
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[...] this comes on the back of some fantastic news from the Harlequins RL club too about youth development at grass roots in the city, with masses of kids involved. So we can’t put this down to any lack of effort on the [...]