Bedford High ready to make history at once-in-a-lifetime Wembley final

After a remarkable unbeaten season which included wins in the Wigan Schools and North West Counties finals, Bedford High will take on Archbishop Sentamu Academy of Hull in the Boys Champion Schools Final on Saturday, August 12.

With only the Year 7 national finals taking place at Wembley, it will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the talented group of Bedford students - especially as both schools are located in the area of each Challenge Cup finalist in Leigh and Hull.

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Bedford High are the Wigan Schools and North West Counties champions (Image: Bedford High)

With both Bedford High and Leigh Leopards representing the town on a national stage, the Year 7 team was invited to the Leopard's training session before their Super League win over Leeds last week.

This gave the budding rugby stars the opportunity to watch and meet their heroes, while chairman Derek Beaumont was also present to wish the young lads the best of luck.

Chairman Derek Beaumont with chief executive Neil Jukes, head coach Adrian Lam, and director of rugby Chris Chester (Image: SWpix.com)

Speaking to ITV News, the chairman said: "It's a dream come true, [the Challenge Cup final] it's something I've always dreamt of and the [Leopards players] have made it real.

"[Bedford High] will be on early doors and we've had a word, it's down to them to get the ball rolling and put pressure on us to follow."

With the town coming together to support both the Leopards and Bedford's journey to Wembley, a fundraising effort has been organised by parents of the school team to help purchase a new kit, training kit, accommodation, and travel to the capital.

This show of support has had a huge impact on PE teacher and former Bedford student, Rob Drinnan, who knows what a historic moment the finals will be for the school and the town.

Mr Drinnan and the Bedford High pupils who have been coming to train at weekends and in school holidays (Image: Bedford High)

Mr Drinnan said: "I've been completely overwhelmed with people's generosity to the fundraising, and just the general messages of support from people in the community.

"I've been a teacher at Bedford for 21 years and we have had successful teams before but not to the same level of this year.

"They're a talented bunch of lads and they deserve it because they have worked really hard for this. They haven't missed a training session and have even come in at the weekend and school holidays to train.

"It is a once-in-a-lifetime to get to Wembley because even if some of them make it professional, there's no guarantee they will get there. So they're excited and nervous, but also just buzzing to get there."

With the last Leigh squad to get to Wembley a primary school town team in 1994, it's up to Bedford High to get the ball rolling on what will be a historic day for the town.