The highlight of the 4 match tour will be the final game against a Western Australia representative side being played as a curtain raiser to the NRL clash between Russell Crowe’s South Sydney and Brisbane Broncos as they take their game on the road to the nib Stadium in Perth.

Head coach John Fieldhouse assisted by fellow Lancastrian Kevin Thompson had their final session last Sunday in preparation for the 3 week tour and the former GB international Fieldhouse believes his 26 man squad are geared up to deliver the tour mission of returning undefeated.

John Fieldhouse,
“The squad we’ve assembled is one filled with ability and were equipped to do the job in hand. Since the last major open age tour 2 years ago to the South Pacific we’ve had a high turnaround of players with many furthering themselves into the pro game. From that tour we have 7 players with great experience and I’ll be looking to them to lead the debutants throughout the tour.”

Fieldhouse and his management have named Skirlaugh prop forward Trevor Penrose as the tour captain and Leigh East fullback Ryan Fieldhouse as the on field captain. The pair will be joined by Kells centre Scott Lofthouse to make a trio of team leaders that will offer guidance and tour tutorage throughout the 3 weeks stay.

On the appointment Penrose said “It’s a great honour to captain the tour squad and something I’m very committed to doing to the best of my ability. The guys have gelled together very well and we’re all confident we can go over to Australia and give a good account of ourselves both individually and as a team of amateur players.”

The touring party will depart from Manchester airport on Monday 6th June arriving in Perth late Tuesday evening after a gruelling flight which includes a brief change at Dubai.

Head coach Fieldhouse has warned his players to be ready to hit the ground running as they prepare for their first game versus Rockingham Sharks 4 days after their arrival.
Fieldhouse said “We’ll have to look after ourselves on the flight and I’m looking for some genuine hard work. It’s important that we get a good start to the tour and that stems from the effort I expect from the lads in training when we arrive.”

International manager Mick Turner has passed his thanks onto the Western Australia Rugby League for the invitation to visit, the organisation as looking to develop the code in the west and hopeful to launch a NRL club bid in the not so distant future.
Turner said “It’s a massive opportunity for the players and management and I’m thankful to WARL and our sponsors for making the tour happen. The chance to play in front of 20,000 spectators as a NRL curtain raiser is to be a truly momentous occasion and the perfect spectacle to conclude the tour. ”

Interested parties can keep in touch with all the developments of the tour through many media outlets. Follow @barlaontour on twitter, like ‘BARLAontour’ on facebook or visit the dedicated touring website www.barlaontour.co.uk to keep upto date with all the touring news and video highlights.

Full Touring Squad
Trevor Penrose tour captain (Skirlaugh)
Ryan Fieldhouse team captain (Leigh East)
Stuart Smith (Skirlaugh)
Michael Johnson (Skirlaugh)
Carl Booth (Myton Warriors)
Chris Walker (Oulton Raiders)
Rhys Davies (Egremont Rangers)
John-Paul Brocklebank (Egremont Rangers)
Brett Philips (Seaton)
Scott Lofthouse (Kells)
Pat Foulstone (Shaw Cross Sharks)
Tom Radley (West Hull)
Sam Radford (West Hull)
Gary Philips (Wigan St Patricks)
Danny Mason (Wigan St Patricks)
Adam Holland (Leigh East)
Lee Fewlass (Myton Warriors)
Craig Jeffels (Castleford Lock Lane)
Steve McDermott (Halton Simms Cross)
Mike Randall (Halton Simms Cross)
Mike Ledger (Thatto Heath Crusaders)
David Lowery (Kells)
Tim Elliott (York Acorn)
Carl Puckering (East Hull)
Tom Bradbury (Leigh Miners)
Adam Thomason (Leigh Miners)
Tour Management
Mick Turner - International Manager
John Jefferson - Team Manager
John Fieldhouse - Head Coach (Leigh East)
Kevin Thompson - Assistant coach (Thatto Heath Crusaders)
Stephen Thompson - Physio (York Acorn)
Spen Allison - Chairman
Jamie Hobbs - Media Manager (Sharlston Rovers)
Chris Mulgrew - Equipment Manager

Tour Itinerary
Mon 6th June - Depart Manchester Airport 14.15 to Perth via Dubai
Tues 7th June – Arrive Perth 17.15
Sat 11th June – GAME 1 vs Rockingham Sharks
Weds 15th June – GAME 2 vs North Beach Sea Eagles
Tues 21st June – GAME 3 vs Fremantle Roosters
Fri 24th June – GAME 4 vs Western Australia, curtain raiser to
South Sydney Rabbitoes v Brisbane Broncoes at nib Stadium Perth.
Monday 27th – Arrive Manchester Airport

Article from BARLA ON Tour Website

Jamie Hobbs
BARLA GB Lions Media Manager