A SQUAD of teenage Rugby League stars are packing their bags for five-week trip of a lifetime.

For nine players from local clubs are included in the 44-strong BARLA North West Counties under 15 party to tour Fiji, New Zealand and Australia next month.

They are Neil Budworth, James Hitchmough, Mark Tagg, Tim Jonkers (Blackbrook Royals), Lewis Davey (Parkside), Steven Greenall, Daryl Lacey, David Mills (St. Helens Crusaders), Stuart Millett (Ashton).

St. Helens is also well represented from an official angle with Alan Reid tour manager; Geoff Tasker business manager and Barry Hyland team manager, while Terry Byrne, Ronnie Dootson and Ray Jacks comprise the coaching team.

Former Great Britain, Widnes and Saints forward George Nicholls is tour adviser for the 15-game trip to the Southern Hemisphere, and the major sponsor is Albany Life for a tour which follows in the wake of a similar venture by the NWCL in 1993.

A buffet reception for sponsors will be held at the Haydock Thistle Hotel on Wednesday, July 2, from 7.30pm, and the party will fly out from Heathrow next day, Thursday, July 3.

A 48-page full colour souvenir brochure commemorating the tour has been produced and can be obtained from Mr. Tasker on St. Helens 756788 or Mr. Hyland 612560.

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