AMATEUR Rugby League at local level has received a massive boost with the naming of the North West Counties under-16 squad to tour the Southern Hemisphere in 2001.

For six rising stars of the Millennium have been included in the 40-strong party, which will jet off on a 32-day 16-match trip of a lifetime to Fiji, New Zealand and Australia.

They are Carl Forber, James Graham and Michael Saunders (Thatto Heath Crusaders), James Roby, James Lacey (Pilkingtons) and Ian Gwilliam (Blackbrook), who is a son of ex-Saint Alan and cousin of Jonathan Gwilliam, a member of the 1993 NWC tour team

A second trans-world trip came in 1997, and both proved outstanding successes, with local lads such as Lee Briers, Tim Jonkers and Alan Cross going on to make their marks in the professional game.

As well as Fiji the demanding itinerary takes in games at Auckland, Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Bundeburg, Surfers Paradise, Brisbane and Sydney, with the return journey being via Los Angeles

A management team has been finalised, including St. Helens-based estate agent Barry Hyland, who will act as business manager, as he did in 1997. Other locals heading for the Antipodes are assistant coach Ray Jacks, who also made the journey last time. Bumps and bruises etc will receive the skilled attention of physiotherapists Helen Pennington and Jodi Whittle, who is the girl-friend of Saints Test scrum-half Sean Long.

North West Counties officials, parents and support groups have been working tirelessly to raise the estimated £170,000 needed to finance the tour and, with 12 months still to go, there is more than £64,000 in the kitty.

However, as Barry Hyland pointed out, the hard-working committee is still seeking a major sponsorship of £15,000, for which the company concerned are guaranteed mega-publicity courtesy of kit logos, press releases etc.

Various other packages are on offer from £500, while a bumper fund-raiser is in prospect when a junior rugby competition and family fun day is held at Newton-le-Willows on Sunday, June 25.

Further details on sponsorship and other NWC tour matters can be obtained from Barry Hyland on St. Helens 454441 (office) or 612560 (home).