Two Year 11 students have gained contracts at Leeds Carnegie Rugby Club, scholarships for a Grammar School in Leeds as well as being chosen for the England U16 Team.

Jack McPhillips and Lewis Boyce are both students from Macmillan Academy and are more than familiar with the intensity that comes with sporting excellence. Both these students play for Macmillan Academy, are members of the outstanding Middlesbrough U16 team and are currently part of the Leeds Carnegie Academy.

As well as representing Macmillan Academy's rugby team both boys have had to compete within many important trials where a scout from Carnegie has come to assess their abilities and potential. From these trials, Jack and Lewis were encouraged to apply to Prince Henry Grammar School in Leeds in order for their talent to be channelled, nurtured and developed.

After successful trials each one of these students has been awarded a scholarship at Prince Henry in Leeds in order to pursue their higher education with additional support with their sporting excellence.

Mr Stanton, a Senior Leader and rugby development teacher at Macmillan Academy expressed his pride about this achievement: "To get two students to reach this standard is an honour and an outstanding achievement which is testament to an excellent year group."

The pressure for these students will be significant as they will have to continue to perform and develop at a top level while competing not just against other teams but against fellow players to keep their positions. Nevertheless, both these students have showed commendable tenacity and personal resolve to reach this level and it is clear that many believe them capable of great things in the future.

Macmillan Academy's Principal Phil Latham added, "We are delighted by the achievements of both Jack and Lewis. As well as their success on the rugby pitch, they are excellent role models for younger students at the Academy and have shown what is possible with hard work and dedication."