Rugby league's first ever Indigenous Youth Tour to Europe will depart Rugby League Central this Friday, November 8, for a life-changing experience which celebrates both the indigenous culture and the opportunities the game can provide for young indigenous Australians.
The New South Wales Rugby League, in conjunction with KARI Aboriginal Resources, will send 32 players from towns as far reaching as Goodooga, Coonamble and Gulargambone to take part in the tour which coincides with the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
The touring party will be farewelled by NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley and will also receive a special good luck message from indigenous Kangaroos superstar Greg Inglis, who has generously shouted the whole team a trip to Disneyland Paris.
The side is made up of many of this year's NSW Under 16s side which defeated Queensland 32-12 at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium in a curtain raiser to the NRL All Stars versus the Indigenous All Stars match.
"The NSWRL continues to invest heavily in indigenous programs and we have a great history of providing the NRL with players from our elite programs," NSWRL Indigenous Rugby League Manager Ricky Walford said.
"We had five players from our NSW Indigenous Under 16s side progress through to make the actual NSW Under 16s side which beat Queensland before State of Origin Game One in Sydney, and that is credit to (NSWRL Indigenous Programs Officer) Steve Hall and our pathways programs.
"The tour is not only about the football aspects, it is about building these kids into future role models for their community and broadening their horizons through some unique educational opportunities."
The touring party departs Rugby League Central Friday afternoon with the first stop on the trip being Barcelona.
The group will then travel through France where they will visit the grave of an indigenous soldier buried at the Somme as well as take on combined French Under 16s and Under 17s sides.
After a game against the London Broncos Academy, the tour will draw to a conclusion at the World Cup semi final double-header at Wembley Stadium.
The squad will assemble at 12pm and vision and interview opportunities will be available from 12.30pm onwards.
The touring squad is as follows:
Jade Anderson- Sydney
Ngangarra Barker - Newcastle
James Bower-Scott - Bega
Tyrell Charters - Condobolin
Kiah Cooper - Newcastle
Phillip Combridge - Dubbo
Daine Colin-Cox - Dubbo
Troy Dargan - Sydney
Tyrone Davis - Kempsey
Kyle Derrick - Coonamble
Jake Gillett-Gow - Penrith
Bailey Hartwig - Forbes
Vann Harris-Kennedy - Goonellabah/Lismore
Sam Humphries - Wagga Wagga
Marika Kelly-Sagono - Macksville
Keedan Kelly - Macksville
William Kennedy - Bathurst
Christopher Kirby - Lake Cargelico
Robert Lane - Goodooga
William Last - Sydney
Jayden Merritt - Dubbo
Ryan Millgate - Gulargumbone
Caleb Gordon - Newcastle
Jessie Thompson - Wagga Wagga
Ethan Roberts - Grafton
Tyrone Roche - Sydney
Daniel Roberts - Campbelltown
Martin Scott - Bega
Tyler Terare - Penrith
Ronald Sines Vale - Kempsey
Cody Walker - Yamba
Nate Welsh - Kempsey
John-Boy Quinlan - Armidale
Aubrey French - Campbelltown
Trae Moran - Newcastle
