Since it’s inception in 2003, the Carnegie Champion Schools Program has become firmly embedded in the South of England as the competition structure continues to grow with significant momentum on an annual basis. The 2009 / 2010 initiative saw over 190 boys and 40 girl’s teams go head to head in their local festivals and fixtures, all vying for a place in the coveted London and the South East regional finals. Notably, over the past 7 years 1003 boys teams (and 70 girls teams since 2008) stemming from over 100 schools across 10 County Sports Partnerships have been engaged in the Carnegie Champion Schools scheme in the region.

For the first time in the history of London and the South East, a school from South of the heartlands have made it to the Carnegie Champion Schools National Finals. The Essex based school, Brentwood County High’s Year 8 side finally overcame the disappointment of their trail to Wembley in 2009 when they were knocked out in the last 16.

After a year of regrouping, with support from teacher of the year Daniel Iacono, the year 8 boys confidently cruised through their semi final regional round 32-4 against their Hertfordshire counter parts JFK. With the unpredictable weather disrupting the Regional finals at the Stoop, Brentwood progressed to the national rounds of the competition first up pushing Buile Hill from Salford to one side 46 – 10. It was however, Wade Deacon from Widnes who had dashed their hopes in 2009 that were next to face the boys from Essex in the quarter finals.