The Northern Rail North West Emerging Schools competition is a joint RFL, Northern Rail boys’ nine a-side rugby league tournament featuring teams from year 7 to year 10 (11 to 15 years old).

Since its launch in May, the competition has seen eight regional festivals played with winning sides qualifying for prestigious finals at the Leigh Sports Village in June. Two of the finals will be staged as a curtain-raiser to the Leigh Centurions’ Co-operative Championship fixtures on 7 and 22 June.

Complementing the rugby competition, the Northern Rail Crime Management Team has made 30-sec Rail safety awareness videos about ‘The Dangers of 25kv Overhead Electricity’ and ‘Speed’ and these videos were endorsed by Leigh Centurions’ captain John Duffy. The videos were produced in-house for the schools participating in the competition and in targeting the secondary schools in this way meant just under a quarter of a million young people were exposed to vital rail safety messages.

By supporting and promoting diversionary activities such as playing Rugby League, Northern hopes that this will prevent boredom that young people often cite as a reason for trespassing on the tracks and committing anti-social behaviour.
David Wilkinson, Northern Rail's Community Safety Manager said of the partnership: “We're delighted that our association with the North West Emerging Schools’ competition will offer young people a truly memorable experience as well as developing their interest in sport.
“We are really passionate about being involved in the communities that we serve and working in partnership with the RFL in the North West is an excellent example of how young people can have fun and learn new skills and discipline in a safe and supervised environment.”

The 25kv Electricity and Speed Rail Safety Messages with endorsements from Leigh Centurions Captain, John Duffy can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eoZPLFIKMU and http://youtu.be/1PaNDKDQciw

Year 7

Cansfield (Wigan) V St Peters (Manchester)

Year 8

Cansfield (Wigan) V Holy Cross (Lancashire)

Year 9

Byrchall (Wigan) v Cowley (St Helens)

Year 10

Philips (Bury) V Wright Robinson (Manchester)