England Calling: Kingsley Rugby Trio Earn National Selection
At Kingsley, we are immensely proud to celebrate a truly exceptional achievement by three of our Rugby Academy scholars, who have been selected to represent England at Under-18 level. Rhys Hadley, Ratu Samuela “Sam” Bola and Jonson Tuhakaraina have been chosen for the prestigious England Lambs U18 team following one of the most competitive schoolboy selection processes in the country. Each school in England was permitted to nominate up to five players, with hundreds attending regional trials nationwide.
From those trials, the top 100 players were invited to a final national selection camp at Harrow School in London. Following a rigorous assessment process, approximately 35 players were selected to compete in a national series and to embark on an international tour to the Far East. We are incredibly proud to share that Kingsley is the only school in the country to have had three players selected for the Lambs — a remarkable achievement for the boys and a testament to the strength of our Rugby Academy programme. It reflects not only their individual talent and determination, but also the hard work, vision and commitment of Tom Skelding, Mark Slee and the wider coaching team.
A Journey Built at Kingsley
Since the Rugby Academy launched two and a half years ago, Rhys, Sam and Jonson have been central to its growth and success. Under the expert guidance of Tom Skelding and Mark Slee, they have developed not only as high-performing athletes but also as leaders within our school community.
Rugby Academy Coach Tom Skelding said:
“We are thrilled. It has been great to see how well the boys have done this season, both for their school and now on this prestigious platform.
Mark Slee and I have worked closely with the squad since the Rugby Academy at Kingsley started two and a half years ago, and it has been a joy to witness their development.
These young men, who are also part of our leadership group, have shown incredible dedication and skill throughout a rigorous selection process. It’s inspiring to see how they’ve applied the lessons learned at Kingsley to achieve this milestone.
We look forward to following them through the England Lambs series and their upcoming tour to Sri Lanka.”
Assistant Coach Mark Slee added:
“To see three Kingsley players selected is a huge achievement and something the whole school community should be proud of. The boys have committed themselves fully to the programme — in the gym, on the training field and in matches — and they thoroughly deserve this opportunity.
This recognition reflects not only their individual talent but also the collective hard work of the coaching team and the culture we are building within the Rugby Academy.”
For us as a school, this moment represents far more than representative honours. It is a powerful reflection of the dedication these young men show every day — and of the supportive, ambitious environment we strive to create at Kingsley.
A Personal Milestone
For Sam Bola, the selection marks a particularly emotional chapter in his journey. Sam moved from Fiji in 2023 on a rugby scholarship, embracing both a new country and a new community. Sam said:
“Being selected for the England Lambs is a blessing and a huge step in my rugby journey. I am grateful to God and to everyone who has supported me. Leaving home was tough, but people around me at Kingsley, from Mr Skelding and Mr Slee to my teammates and friends, have helped me grow on and off the pitch.”
Rhys Hadley also reflected on what the opportunity means to him:
“For me, the opportunity with England Lambs was one where if I didn’t give 100%, I would regret it for years to come. Getting the email after each stage and finally the one confirming selection was unlike anything in my rugby journey so far.
I’m extremely honoured to be trusted with the famous pink shirt and want to become the best player I can in it.”
Their words capture the ambition, gratitude and resilience that define their Kingsley journeys — and we could not be prouder of all they have achieved.
Backing Them All the Way
We will be proudly following Rhys, Sam and Jonson throughout the England Lambs series and their upcoming international tour to Sri Lanka — and we are right behind them every step of the way. The boys are currently fundraising to support the international leg of the tour, including travel, accommodation and kit costs. They are running a raffle with over £4,000 worth of prizes generously donated by local businesses.
- Tickets: £5
- Raffle draw: April 5
- ENTER HERE
To support them and be in with a chance of winning a prize, please visit:
This is an extraordinary achievement — for the lads, for our Rugby Academy, and for Kingsley as a whole. We are immensely proud and will be cheering them on all the way.
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