The Saints Schools Cup was launched in 2023, and the festivals now see hundreds of schools come together every year from across the region.
Aiming to extend Northampton Saints’ offering to local schools and spread the game of rugby, the Saints Schools Cup will see over 1,000 children from 250 schools across Northamptonshire, Milton Keynes, Cambridgeshire, Suffolk, and North Essex compete across eight regional tournaments – before 16 schools meet for Finals Day at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens to decide the nominated winners, selected for showing outstanding rugby values throughout the Schools Cup.
The programme will be open to primary school children in Years 5 and 6, and will see local schools compete in a series of tag rugby festivals, showcasing the rugby skills learned in PE lessons – as part of their regular curriculum or Saints’ other popular school programme, Saints in the Schools – while also being introduced to grassroots club rugby.
The Saints Schools Cup not only provides a platform for schoolchildren to compete in rugby but also promotes the values of the sport such as teamwork, respect, and discipline. By partnering with grassroots clubs, the tournament will help connect schoolchildren with local rugby communities and provide a pathway for those who wish to continue their rugby journey beyond school.
Dates and Venues
Suffolk
Venue: Ipswich RFC
Date: Tuesday 3 June
South Northants
Venue: Bugbrooke RFC
Date: Wednesday 10 June
Central Northants
Venue: Northampton Old Scouts RFC
Date: Friday 6 June
Bedfordshire
Venue: Bedford Athletic RFC
Date: Tuesday 4 June
Milton Keynes
Venue: Milton Keynes RFC
Date: Wednesday 11 June
North Northants
Venue: Stewarts & Lloyds RFC
Date: Friday 13 June
Cambridgeshire
Venue: Cambridge RFC
Date: Thursday 5 June
Buckinghamshire
Venue: Aylesbury RFC (TBC)
Date: Thursday 12 June
Provisional Finals Day (subject to main pitch availability)
Venue: cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens
Date: Tuesday 17 June
If you’re interested in getting involved in the Saints Schools Cup in 2025, please email [email protected]. Entry to the tournament is FREE for schools taking part in Saints in the Schools in 2024/25 – with entries from new schools subject to a small fee of £35 (+VAT).
For more information on all the school programmes Saints’ Community Team offer, please email [email protected].
