| Spotlight on Schools Floodlit Rugby |
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The Northern Schools Under 16s Floodlt Cup is celebrating its twentieth anniversary season, and over the next two weeks (from Wednesday 13th January) the quarter-finals stage begins after the Christmas break.
Kirkham GS, Stonyhurst College and Manchester GS represent the remaining Lancashire contingent, Lancaster RGS losing 12-10 to King's School Macclesfield.
Sponsored by the University of Central Lancashire, spectators are in for some top-quality, early evening matches.
UCLAN's Nick Passenger is looking for the high standard of rugby enjoyed in this competition to continue. "This is a great competition which offers schools the opportunity to face new opposition, and enjoy a floodlit experience and the facilities of a National League club", he said.
Manchester Referees Society is supplying the match officials, for every weekly match all of which kick off at 6.15pm.
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Quarter Finals
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Semi Final
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Final
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WINNERS
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Wilmslow HS
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v (13th Jan)
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Kirkham GS
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v (10th Feb)
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RGS Newcastle
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v (20th Jan)
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________
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Kings.Sch,.Macclesfield
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FINAL at Preston G/Hoppers
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Wed 3rd March
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7.00 kick off
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Lymm HS
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v (27th Jan)
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__________
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St.Ambrose,.Altrincham
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v (24th Feb)
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Stonyhurst College
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v (3rd Feb)
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________
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Manchester GS
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| Background... |
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For sixteen years, Liverpool St Helens hosted an Under 16s Schools Floodlit Tournament, throughout arranged by the Liverpool Referees Society's international match official, Dave Matthews.
In the early days, Lancashire and Merseyside schools formed the bedrock of the entries, but the successful format encouraged the inclusion of Cheshire schools, and beyond.
Wanting to rebuild their own Junior section with mid-week, evening training sessions, LSH’s Moss Lane ground became unavailable and the future of the competition was threatened.
Preston Grasshoppers were then persuaded to take on the event. Now, in the third season as hosts, the competition continues to be one of the biggest of its kind in the country.
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| Floodlights... |
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At the time, Preston's new floodlighting (for which funding was partly achieved through RFU support) was the key to the event progressing at Lightfoot Green. With up to 22 school teams entering from across the North, from Northumberland to south Cheshire, and using the same pattern as previously followed at Liverpool St Helens, matches take place weekly on Wednesday evenings through to Christmas with a mid-March final.
Not only is this a well-established competition, it has been well-supported by the northern county schools who were excited at the prospect of it moving to Hoppers. In recent seasons, rugby followers have been able to watch some entertaining rugby football on Wednesday evenings.
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| UCLAN step in to save the event... |
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ANNUAL UNDER 16s
SCHOOLS KNOCK-OUT
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sponsored by
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Preston Grasshoppers
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Click here for
and
website
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Previous Winners
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1989-90
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De La Salle School
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1990-91
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Merchant Taylors School
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1991-92
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Merchant Taylors School
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1992-93
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De La Salle School
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1993-94
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St Anshelm's College
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1994-95
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Stonyhurst College
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1995-96
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Stonyhurst College
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1996-97
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Stonyhurst College
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1997-98
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King's School, Macclesfield
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1998-99
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Arnold School
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1999-00
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Manchester GS
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2001-02
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Lancaster RGS
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2002-03
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St Ambrose College
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2003-04 *
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St Ambrose College
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2004-05 *
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St Edward's College
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2005-06 *
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St Ambrose College
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2006-07 +
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Lancaster RGS
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2007-08 $
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Hutton GS
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2008-09 $
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Lancaster RGS
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| 2009-10 $ |
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Competition sponsored by SYSCO |
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Final sponsored by UCLAN |
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Competition sponsored by UCLAN |
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In the current economic climate, the Grasshoppers' club, with its other extensive youth and community commitments, would have struggled to fund the tournament and there was some doubt as to whether the weekly event would go ahead.
After sponsoring the Floodlit Final in 2006/07, The University of Central Lancashire has become the event's headline sponsor adding an increased level of sponsorship, partly thanks to the University's Nick Passenger, himself a Lancashire squad coach with local club and school connections.
Dr Adrian Ibbetson, Academic Director of Sport at UCLAN, said “We were impressed with the competition when we got involved last season and think that it is most important to support sport in this age group to help ensure that youngsters continue to participate as they approach the end of their school years and move on. We intend to maximise our investment by involving other faculties within the University, giving students valuable practical experience. Preston Grasshoppers has great facilities and, as our local club, we are keen to develop relationships to mutual benefit.”
Preston Grasshoppers partnership with The University of Central Lancashire can be seen as of great benefit to both organisations.
Speaking at the time, Hoppers' Vice-President and event co-ordinator, Henry Porteous, added, “This is great news. This floodlit competition has proved extremely popular with the schools and gives Under 16s players an opportunity to experience different opposition in a professional environment. We are delighted to be working with UCLAN and will do our utmost to ensure that we justify their generous investment and, just as importantly, that the participants enjoy the experience.”
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