The Carnegie Champion Schools Tournament which is open to every Secondary School in England, Wales and Scotland is the world's biggest Rugby League knockout competition and one of the greatest success stories for the sport.

The RFL in partnership with English Schools Rugby League re-launched the Champion Schools Tournament in 2002 and since then it has continued to grow each year.

Rugby League has seen an immense growth in schools over the last few years which will support the development of the sport in the future and this competition has played a vital role in introducing Rugby League to an ever increasing number of young people throughout the United Kingdom.

In the 2008/9 tournament a total of 1,678 different teams took part in the competition, which is an increase from last year of 175 teams. The number of boy's teams is up by 152 and the girls saw an increase of 23 teams.

Yorkshire had the greatest increase of teams compared to the 2008 season with an additional 88 teams, jumping from 551 to 639.

Other areas that also saw a dramatic rise in teams were London, Wales and the North West. London's number of teams increased by 27, Wales saw an additional 17 teams and the North West had an extra 31 teams.

Overall, 27,537 students took part in this year's Carnegie Champion Schools Tournament. This is an extra 2,911 players from last year and an increase of 22,369 players from when the competition was re-launched in 2002.

The RFL's National Development Manager, Andy Harland said: "The Carnegie Champion Schools Tournament has been a huge success again this season and I would like to thank all of the players, teachers, parents and volunteers from the schools that have contributed to this competition.

"They are committed to working well with the RFL and English Schools Rugby League and this is demonstrated by the progress of the competition.

"The tournament has grown and developed at a rapid rate and has given thousands of young people the opportunity to participate in Rugby League for the first time.

"It also provides young players with the chance to enjoy competing together, learning skills and generating memories that may well stay with them for the rest of their lives and Rugby League careers".

In 2007 a group of young players became the first teams to play Rugby League at the new Wembley Stadium after its re-opening. West Yorkshire schools Castleford High and Freeston High met in the 2007 Carnegie Champion Schools Year Seven final.

The match will be played as a curtain raiser to the Carnegie Challenge Cup Final at Wembley on Saturday 28 August.

There has been a long tradition of schools curtain raisers before the Challenge Cup Final and this provides a tremendous opportunity for a group of youngsters to showcase their skills on a massive sporting stage