Sussex Schools Rugby League
Brighton & Hove Rugby League, in partnership with Sport Brighton (the sports arm of the University of Brighton) and Brighton & Hove Council School Games Organisers, are building a Sussex Schools Rugby League programme.
If you’re interested in bringing Rugby League to your school, either in-curriculum delivery or after-school club, please get in touch at philward@brightonhoverl.com
How we can help
- Resources pack – lesson plans for teachers covering all core Rugby League skills for both Tag and Tackle
- Access to festivals (primary – Brighton & Hove) and tournaments (secondary – Sussex wide) for competition opportunities
- Equipment Pack to support in-school delivery (limited amount left!)
- Teacher CPD events
- Taster Sessions run by our coaches in your school
We are most interested in developing on-going partnerships with schools that want to make Rugby League a core part of their sporting offer going forward.
Get in touch for more information
Secondary Schools
Cardinal Newman pick up narrow win to secure Sussex Schools RL9s
22nd May 2023
The boys tournament was a competitive affair, with the tournament coming down to the same two schools as the girls competition with St Oscar Romero and Cardinal Newman duking it out in the final. A tough game for both sides as the hits came flying in and both teams fought to gain an advantage. St Oscar Romero took the lead 8-6 and looked to be good for the win, repelling attack after attack. A slick passing moving from Cardinal Newman sent their winger in for a try to take the game 10-8. It meant that Cardinal Newman took the win on the day, but there was nothing between the two teams and it will be interesting to see what happens if the two teams meet again in the South of England.
Final Rankings:
- Cardinal Newman A
- St Oscar Romero
- Cardinal Newman B
- BACA


St Oscar Romero wins first ever Sussex Schools RL9s
15th May 2023
The girls tournament started with a lot of players taking their first steps into rugby of either code. St Oscar Romero’s school in Goring-by-Sea put on a dominant display with some powerful runners and equally good tacklers as they picked up the competition win, with Cardinal Newman in a creditable second place. Teams from Longhill and BACA can be proud of their performances in their first outings as a team. It’s also the first ever girls rugby league tournament to be hosted in Sussex.
Final Rankings:
- St Oscar Romero
- Cardinal Newman
- Longhill
- BACA
RLWC Y8&9 Tournament a Celebration of the Game
10th October 2022
Our first Rugby League secondary schools festival in Brighton & Hove to celebrate RLWC 2021 as part of our Inspired By campaign to develop community Rugby locally.
Well done to participants from BACA, Cardinal Newman, Longhill & Patcham schools who took part in some great Rugby League action.

Primary Schools
Brighton & Hove Rugby League run primary schools festivals, predominantly in the summer term (around May)
These festivals tend to follow a similar format:
60 minutes – Coaching sessions with Sports Leaders
60 minutes – round robin fixtures
These events fall on the “Development Festival” part of the School Games framework and so no results are recorded and there is no overall winner. For many students, this is their first ever exposure to any kind of rugby.
25th May – Y3&4 Tag Rugby League (pictured right)
13th October – Y5&6 Tag Rugby League RLWC Celebration Event
