In the Autumn of 2021, soon after they had joined Cockburn School in Year 7, a group of boys first trained as a team, coached by PE teachers Mr Battye and Mr Law. At the time, only five of the boys played rugby outside of school for community teams. Most had never played rugby before.
They went on to become back-to-back Leeds 9-a-side champions in Year 7, Year 8 and Year 9. They won these finals each year on the pitch at Headingley Stadium. In Year 9 and Year 10 they won the Leeds Schools Cup back-to-back, playing the finals locally at the South Leeds Stadium.
They became recognised as one of the best teams in the country, becoming one of the top 10 teams in England and Wales (they came 8th) in their Year 10 season.
In March 2026, they broke a record. They had again made it to the final of the Leeds Schools Cup at South Leeds Stadium. Their opponents were Brigshaw High School, who they had beaten in last year’s final. A win for Brigshaw would make them the record-breaking school to have won the most school rugby finals of all schools in Leeds. A win for Cockburn School would make them a record-breaking school becoming the first to win back-to-back champions in Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11. A lot was at stake!
At half time, Brigshaw were 16-0 ahead. A very disappointing half for Cockburn School and a mountain to climb. The boys came out for the second half and quickly put themselves on the score sheet with a converted try. Then came another, and another, to see Cockburn take the lead.
There followed an excellent closely fought finish that at one point had Cockburn School with 22 points to Brigshaw’s 20. The end of the match saw Cockburn School forge ahead to win the game 34-24 before proudly lifting the Wilson Cup as back-to-back-to-back champions.
The John Holmes player of the match trophy went to the Cockburn School captain, Jordan Day.
The majority of the team now play for school and outside of school at community level and multiple students on Club Development Pathways (15/18 Community Level). Three of the students were selected on the Leeds Rhinos Scholarship and were part of the scholarship team that won against Bradford Bulls in March. Jordan Day (Cockburn School Captain), Dillon Eshun (Cockburn School Vice-Captain) and Dylan Baira.
The team have won seven trophies in 5 years. They are Cockburn School’s most successful sporting team ever.
Jordan Day, captain, said:
“From not knowing how to play in Year 7 to winning so many finals in Year 11, we are thankful to the school for their extra-curricular dedication. Thanks to Mr Battye and Mr Law for giving us these opportunities to learn the sport which has led to some of us moving towards a career pathway in rugby.”
Mr Battye said:
“It has been an absolute joy and pleasure to coach them since Year 7. They have shown incredible resilience and commitment to the team, dedication to their development of skills and have always supported one another on and off the field. I will miss them all and I wish them the very best for all their future endeavours.”
Mr Law added:
“Coaching this outstanding team over the years has been an absolute pleasure. I am extremely proud to have watched them progress and grow on and off the field to the point they are at now. I wish them all the best for the future, and I am sure they will all achieve success.”
Mr Dixon, Headteacher, said:
“This team are a perfect example of ‘Transformation to Excellence’. They have continually worked hard to improve, learnt from their coaches, and shown great resilience. I am extremely proud of them all.”
This is not the only news for Cockburn School rugby. The Year 10 team also lifted the Harrison Shield becoming Leeds Schools Cup winners at South Leeds Stadium, and they did this in style. They beat a strong Farnley Academy team 73-3. Ceidoff Baafi was named Player of the Match, receiving the Bill Ramsey Award.
This victory makes the Year 10s back‑to‑back champions, and should they win again next year, they will match — and potentially surpass — the historic achievements of the current Year 11 team, having already won in Year 7 following a shared final after a draw with Brigshaw.
This post is based on a press release issued by Cockburn School
Main photo: Back to back to back champions: the Cockburn School Year 11 team hold the Wilson Cup aloft
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