Year Y Boys Rugby Final – WEMBLEY!

The Sirius Academy Year 7 Boys Rugby Team had the time of their lives at Wembley this weekend. For those of your that don’t know, we did lose the game unfortunately, however, the opposition were much bigger and more experienced than us, with ten of our students only starting to play rugby when they joined at Sirius back in September, so just to get to the National Final was a huge achievement. We are proud to say that we are the second best team in the country.

In the build up to the semi final, Kofi Smiles from Radio Humberside came to the Academy to a training session, where he not only interviewed the boys, but also joined in with the training. All the week leading up to the semi final, we were on the Radio for Kofi’s Class of the Week, with different students talking each day on what getting to the final would mean to them.

When we won the semi final to become National Finalists and earn a place at Wembley, the attention the boys received was unreal. The morning after,  they came into the Academy and were greeted by all the Year 7 students and teachers stood up clapping them into the assembly.

The week before we broke up for half term, we had ex Sirius Academy West student, Hull KR player and current Man of Steel Mikey Lewis down to talk to the boys about playing at Wembley, preparing for big games and his journey so far in rugby league.  The next day they went to Sewell Group Craven Park to watch Hull KR training and got the opportunity to shake their hands and congratulate each other on getting to play at Wembley, with lots of Good Luck messages and the chance for a big squad photo.

The week leading up to the final, Captain George S and forward Isaac H went to the RFL Press Conference at Oulton Hall, Leeds, where they were made to feel like true professionals, and met some rugby heroes, including England Captain George Williams, and Warrington Head Coach Sam Burgess.

The Year 7 Boys were also in for another treat when they were invited to the University of Hull to meet the Hull FC players. Some inspirational words were given by Gaz Ellis  before the Hull FC players presented the Sirius boys with their new training tops for the weekend and an opportunity for a big squad photo. The boys did some training with Callum Kemp and Logan Moy, where they surprised Mason P  and Max W by giving them a pair of their boots.

On Friday, before the boys set off for Wembley, the boys were provided with breakfast at the Academy whilst they watched the most amazing video, with Good Luck messages from all their family and friends, created by Mrs Willis. The surprises did not stop there, as they were given a Good Luck cake, made by Miss Shaddick and Mr Beech, and then walked out to the coach to all the Year 7 students, Year 10 rugby team and family members clapping them through. They must have felt ten feet tall. Thank you to Mr Burnham for organising, and also for his support at Wembley.

After checking into the Hilton Hotel Watford, the team set off to Wembley for a VIP stadium tour, where they visited the main changing rooms, walked down the tunnel to pitch side and up to the royal box. The boys were amazed with seeing the pitch for the first time from the tunnel area as they took photos and videos that they will treasure forever. After a walk down Wembley Way, they stopped off at McDonalds for tea, before heading back to the hotel for some chill time before lights out at 9pm.

All the boys were up early and down, ready for breakfast at the hotel restaurant before getting on the bus at 7:30am to Wembley Stadium for their big game. The boys were shown to their changing rooms and put on their new kit (shirt provided by the RFL). The captains were called to the tunnel area for the coin toss, which George won and asked to receive the ball from KO. Just before 10am the teams lined up in the tunnel and walked out to some amazing support from family members as their names were shouted out over the tannoy (special guests in the crowd included our very own Mr Gordon, Mr Burnham, Mrs Welch, Mr Reed and Miss Smalley).

Unfortunately, the game did not go in our favour, but the experience was incredible. Player of the match for Sirius Academy West went to Lenny K for his strong runs in attack and aggressive defence, Lenny did also go over for a try, but the referee disallowed it. The boys were understandably upset at the end of the game, but picked themselves up and walked up the famous stairs to receive their medals from the Royal Box.

The team stayed to watch the Women’s Challenge Cup Final, and shortly after that game they got to parade around the pitch, where they got a standing ovation from the crowd. Lenny and George spoke to Radio Humberside on the concourse about their experience, before the team settled down to watch the main event as Hull KR went on to beat Warrington Wolves, with ex Sirius Academy West Student Mikey Lewis winning the game for them with his outstanding conversion, to make the final score 8 – 6 and bringing the challenge cup back to Hull.

Many thanks to the staff for their support over the weekend, all the family members who came to Wembley to support their child, our driver Carl from Les Holland Coaches – who was amazing with the lads throughout, Hilton Hotel Watford, who could not do enough for us and the RFL who were so organised and helpful over both days at Wembley.

Special thanks to sponsors Youngs Foods, Sapphire Signs and Les Holland Coaches.

But the biggest thank you goes to the Year 7 Boys rugby team for not only being the first team at Sirius Academy West to get to Wembley, but also for their conduct throughout. You were a credit to the Academy and should be extremely proud of yourselves. Thank you for making all our dreams come true (mine included). This is something we will remember for the rest of our lives. I have got 4 more years with you – lets see what else we can achieve together!

Miss Gay.