The 2026 Saints Academy Tour, proudly sponsored by ASW Solicitors, has set off to Australia!
Very early on Sunday, 4th October 2026, around 3am, our touring group set off from the BrewDog Stadium and headed to Manchester Airport to cross to the other side of the world.
Our 2026 Academy Touring Saints are the ninth group of young players to tour Australia since our initial trip to the southern hemisphere back in 2004, with the same purpose now as it was over twenty years ago: to develop more young players to become stars of the future of St.Helens.
Over the years, these tours have helped the Club welcome bring through the likes of Jonny Lomax, Tommy Makinson, Mark Percival, Morgan Knowles, Matty Lees and Jack Welsby, to name just a few of the players who have been proud Saints Academy Tourists.
Many of our tourists have gone on to be part of successful, silverware-winning teams here at St.Helens, and represent their country too with international honours.
This tour is about more than rugby. It is an opportunity for our Saints to experience Australia, visit and train in some of the game’s leading high-performance facilities, gaining an insight into the standards required at the highest level.
Our players will also compete against Australian youth teams, testing themselves in demanding fixtures while developing their skill, resilience and decision-making.
Away from the field, travelling and living together as a team will build friendships, trust, independence and leadership. Through team-building activities and shared experiences, the tour will create memories that our players will carry with them long after they return home. This is an opportunity to step outside their comfort zones, represent St.Helens with pride and experience something they will remember for years to come.
2026 SAINTS ACADEMY TOUR TEAM
- Dylan Barnes – Leigh East
- Toby Bottell (C) – Thatto Heath Crusaders
- Samuel Cain-Lewis – Woolston Rovers
- Leon Davies – Blackbrook Royals
- Conor Briggs – Wigan St Judes, Orrell St James & Blackbrook Royals
- Patrick Sheppard – Woolston Rovers
- Joseph Hart – Golborne Parkside & Leigh East
- Finley Haigh – Crosfields
- Riley Heath-Ellison – Blackbrook Royals & Crosfields
- Callum Holmes – Blackbrook Royals & Thatto Heath Crusaders
- Reuben Hirst – Thornhill, Siddal & Birkenshaw Bulldogs
- Finley James – Woolston Rovers
- Isaac Kelsey – Newton Storm & Blackbrook Royals
- Cavell Kibula – Leigh Miners Rangers
- Oliver Knox – Saddleworth Rangers
- Spencer Lowe – Crosfields & Leigh East
- Alfie Lyon – Blackbrook Royals
- Tyler Mills – Crosfields
- Liam Nixon – Thatto Heath Crusaders
- Lucas Orgill – Crosfields & Woolston Rovers
- James Patterson – Burtonwood Bulldogs & Thatto Heath Crusaders
- Aidan Rawsthorne – Blackbrook Royals
- Kian Redford – Leigh East
- Owen Schuster – Waterhead Warriors
- Robbie Simpson – Crosfields & Woolston Rovers
- Matthew Sinclair – Halton Farnworth Hornets
- Harvey Woolfenden – Ashton Bears, Wigan St Judes & Thatto Heath Crusaders
2026 TOUR FIXTURES
Please note that each of these games has been listed with the local time in Australia.
Game 1
Balmain District vs St.Helens Academy
Saturday, 10th October 2026
14:30 KO
Kirkham Oval Camden
Game 2
Balmain District vs St.Helens Academy
Wednesday, 14th October 2026
14:00 KO
Mt Penang Parklands Kariong
Game 3
Westfield Sports High School vs St.Helens Academy
Sunday, 18th October 2026
16:00 KO
McCredie Oval Guildford
Game 4
Balmain District vs St.Helens Academy
Friday, 23rd October 2026
18:00 KO
Kirkham Oval Camden
Ahead of departing, we held a special night at The Marching Inn for our 2026 Academy Tourists. Gathered with their families, staff and sponsors for the Shirt Presentation, as each member of the touring squad received their individual tour shirt as they prepare to represent St.Helens in the southern hemisphere.
The Tour has been made possible thanks to the fundraising efforts of our young players, youth staff, fan donations and contributions, and Tour Sponsors:
ASW Solicitors, Autism Friendly Caravans, Village Catering Butchers, Rymora, St.Helens R.F.C.’s Players Association, Arcoframe, Bold Skip Hire, Bartons, Cargo World Logistics, Howdens, A&B Trade Paint Supplies, FPF, AVR Sport, BMC Analysis, Premier Gym St Helens, Geoff Barber Entertainment Agency, Protive Security & Surveillance, Kay Welding, Grundy & Co Excavations, DKCC Ltd, Leech Bedrooms Ltd, G. Sinclair Electrical Services, Baileys Landscapes, Haydock Reading Room, HTE Controls, LMTravel Executive, E.D.S. Carpets & Floor Coverings, Mindful Of Your Body, Unity As One Youth Club, Shukers Butchers, Gerard Coaches & O’Neills Sportswear UK.
A look through our tours over the years...
