Some positive news for Rugby League in London, today is the London Primary & Junior School's Final Day! even better many of our young players tweeting about it! congratulating them..
It was back in the late 70's a friend & myself started The St Helens YMCA Under 16's side, the YMCA the largest building in the town centre, with6 60 bedroom hostel, gym, restaurant, and youth club, had not played rugby league since the late 1920's
We became the first northern team to visit London for a week, to play two new Under 18 RL sides, both Arsenal and West Ham gave free tickets, we even returned then a year later to play games once more. Now to see the fruit of that that school RL is still strong, sadly that is not the case in the North! We joined a then North West Counties League for Under 16's, at one stage St Helens had 9 teams in the league? then St Helens RLFC started a Under 16 team, the following season it was down to 2 under 16's sides in the town left, we could not compete, even out Under 18 side folded.
Will RFL even learn? thanks to those committed teachers and supporters in London who are still going strong! I Respect them. |