Kirklees College students selected for the Yorkshire Colleges squad

Following the regional trials on 2nd February, four Kirklees College students have been successful in gaining selection for the Yorkshire College under 19 squad to play in The Regional Championships, which are to be held in Nottingham on March 23rd.

With only 19 places up for grabs and over 60 players at trials, it is a great achievement for the four Kirklees College players. Ben Spaven (Level 3 Sport), Nathan Lawrence (Level 3 Sport), Leon James (Level 3 Health & Social Care) and Luke James (Level 3 Health & Social Care) will now represent Yorkshire against the North West, Cumbria, the South West and London/South East in the annual championships which also serve as a key part of the selection process for the England Colleges. The players combine their College rugby and study commitments with playing for their community clubs: Dewsbury Celtic (Nathan Lawrence), Shaw Cross Sharks (Ben Spaven) and Thornhill Trojans (Luke and Leon James)

Batley Bulldogs half-back and Kirklees College Rugby League academy coach, Ben Black, said: “the four guys have done really well to get selected for the Yorkshire squad. Trials are never easy and when there are over 60 players fighting for 19 spots, you know it’s going to be competitive. But they deserve the opportunity they’ve got and I’ve no doubt they’ll do really well on the day.”

Ben Spaven, in his second year at the College is excited about the opportunity: “We’re all really looking forward to playing at the event in Nottingham next month. We have three training sessions before then so we’ll have the opportunity to get to know the other lads and hopefully we’ll be in with a good chance of winning on the day”

For further information on the LoveRugbyLeague.com sponsored Kirklees College Rugby League academy, go to www.kirkleescollege.ac.uk/sportsacademy or if you are interested in coming onto the academy for the 2013/14 academic year, please email sportsacademy@kirkleescollege.ac.uk for further details.