College rugby team make history by becoming grand final winners
Friday 4th AprilHopwood Hall College’s Rugby Academy have made history by winning the Premier Division Grand Final.
The 13-strong team took the title after facing off against the Castleford Tigers at Rochdale Mayfield Rugby League Club.
It was an action-packed clash which saw Hopwood’s budding sportsmen triumph, with the final score sitting at 30 – 28.
A huge crowd gathered to cheer on the players, including friends, family, college staff and community members who have been following the team’s success throughout the season.
In addition, the students also received motivational words from some of the sport’s biggest names before taking to the pitch.
Rugby League legend Kevin Sinfield, who competed for Leeds Rhinos, England and Great Britain, recorded a rallying message for the young players.
Meanwhile, Matty Ashton, who studied rugby at the college before landing a spot as a Winger for Warrington Wolves, wished the team luck before the biggest game of their lives so far.
The 26-year-old told the squad to ‘give it their all’ and reminded them that, whatever the result, they’ll be making lifelong memories.
Matty later appeared at the end of the game to present the winners with their trophy.
Hopwood’s players are all part of the college’s Rugby Academy, a popular training programme that has led to countless students becoming professional athletes.
Other students regularly progress to a wide range of sports-based careers, including coaching, fitness instructing, personal training and more.
Ben Cox, Programme Manager for Sport at Hopwood Hall College & University Centre, said: “I couldn’t be more proud of the lads on our Hopwood Hall College Rugby Academy!
“The players have performed exceptionally all throughout the tournament and certainly deserved to be competing in the Grand Final.
“I’m over the moon with what they’ve achieved – they are officially history makers!”
