St Bede’s and St Joseph’s Catholic College in Bradford has now won three consecutive national titles in girls’ rugby league, claiming a third consecutive championship in the Rugby Football League’s (RFL) Champion Schools tournament.
The Year 9 team secured the 2026 title on June 30 with a commanding 50-4 victory over Liberty Academy Hull at the Castleford Tigers’ stadium, believed to be the first girls’ side in the competition to win three titles in a row.
Victory marks not just a winning streak, but the rise of a formidable force in the sport.
A spokesperson for the college said: “To defend a national crown is difficult, but to do so three years running marks us as a true legacy in the girls’ game.
“We have officially joined the elite ranks of the nation’s greatest sporting programmes, such as the legendary boys’ squads at Castleford Academy, setting a new benchmark for excellence.”
Action from St. Bede’s & St.Joseph’s Catholic College against Liberty Academy Hull (Image: Martin Taylor)
Farida Mak, captain of the Year 9 side, scored five tries in the final, capping a season that the college believes has redefined expectations in the girls’ game.
The spokesperson described the team as “a modern legacy”, saying: “The girls’ game has grown rapidly, and by winning three years in a row, we are defining the standard for the modern era of girls’ rugby league.
“We can confidently state that our team has achieved a level of dominance rarely seen in the history of the competition.
“While the final score shows our dominance, the real story is where these students started.
“Ninety-nine per cent of our students had never played rugby, nor had they even seen it or watched it on TV.
“It was a completely new sport when the Community Lions Foundation introduced it to the girls, and they have gone from strength to strength.
“To say they came from a zero-rugby background makes me incredibly proud of what they have achieved for three years running.”
The team’s journey has inspired the wider community, with several players now representing West Bowling and being identified for professional development.
Of the team’s rise, the spokesperson said: “I don’t just see students; I see the future of Yorkshire rugby and the next generation of England internationals.”
Success has also relied on community support, with the college recognising contributions from parents, staff and coaches.
Thanks were extended to West Bowling coach Joe Simpson and the head of PE at St Bede’s.
Looking ahead, the team is aiming for a fourth consecutive title in the 2026–2027 season and is currently seeking sponsorship for a new kit.
Anyone interested in supporting the team can contact the Community Lions Foundation at saimaclf07@gmail.com or 07980 933224.
The spokesperson said: “Congratulations to every single player, every coach, and every supporter who has poured their heart into this.
“You have set the gold standard and you have made us all incredibly proud.”