RUGBY Lions are aiming to be the pride of their academies after joining forces for an annual sports tour.
Sporting students from Bede Academy, in Blyth, have teamed up with players from their sister schools in the Emmanuel Schools Founadtion - The King's Academy, Middlesbrough, Emmanuel College, Gateshead, and Trinity Academy, Thorne - to form an elite Lions squad for a week-long match tour of Scotland.
The squad will compete against three teams during their stay starting with an opening game against Boroughmuir Rugby Club, then on to The High School of Glasgow before completing the tour with a match against North Berwick High School.
Bede Academy has selected five of their players for the 25-man squad including Jay Robinson, 16, Jack Fennell, 15, Richard Harland, 15, Adam Simmons, 15 and Matthew Smith, 15.
Teacher Andrew Sutherland, who is accompanying the boys on tour, said: “Bede Academy’s representation on the Lions team continues to grow each year.
“We have a couple of players who, alongside representing the academy, also play at county level which gives us a strong foundation going into our games.
“All the boys chosen for the team have come through a rigorous selection process, via our inter school’s 'Olympics' trials, and all are extremely competitive and looking to make their mark on the tour.”
As well as playing their own matches, students will be given a tour of Murrayfield Stadium, scale the heights at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena and sightsee around the Scottish capital.
Student Jack Fennell, 15, who plays centre midfield for Blyth Town Football Club, said: “As well as football I’ve been playing rugby since Year 6. Getting into the Lions squad is very competitive and a real achievement.
“It’s good to be able to meet other students from different schools and I think we have a strong team that can do really well."
Adam Simmons, 15, who plays for Blyth Spartans Rugby Club, added: “I love playing rugby so it was important for me to try out for the Lions team.
“As well as playing in the games I’m looking forward to getting to know the other players and in our free time doing some climbing at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena.”
