GB rugby coach Tony Smith, with Castleford Tigers coach Terry Matterson, kicked a ball over specially-designed posts to mark the new technology and sports college honour on Friday.
The Cutsyke Road school earned its name for excellence in sport and because 70 per cent of students achieved five A-C grades in their GCSEs – despite its sports centre being destroyed in a blaze last January.


Headteacher Roy Vaughan hailed the new title as a "tremendous success story".
He added: "Our new status is especially pleasing considering the loss of the sports hall.
"This is a glowing testimony to the effort and hard work of pupils, staff and governors."


Former students, including England cricketer Tim Bresnan and Wakefield Wildcats player Brett Ferres, also attended the launch.
Bill Clift, chairman of the school's governors, said: "Without great academic progress our bid for sports status would have failed.
"We are one of only two schools nationwide with dual status, despite not having a sports hall.


"The staff and pupils have been phenomenal – the community has a school it can be proud of."
Schools' secretary and Normanton MP Ed Balls opened the event with his wife, Pontefract and Castleford MP Yvette Cooper.
Work on the school's new sports hall is expected to begin in July and be complete by March 2009.