The 2026 Saints Academy Tour, proudly sponsored by ASW Solicitors, saw our youngsters get to experience the start of the Rugby League World Cup!
Following the Saints’ hard-fought win over Central Coast Sports College, the players’ recovery was of the utmost importance, with another tight four-day turnaround before taking on Westfield Sports High School on Sunday afternoon.
Recovery and rest days also offer the chance for our lads to do some important team bonding and enjoy some group activities.
Together, our tour group went white water rafting at Penrith Whitewater Stadium, where teamwork is essential, whilst also getting the chance to enjoy the extreme sport in a fun way (following some training!).
Our tourists then got to experience one of the great fixtures in rugby league, Australia versus New Zealand, as the 2026 Men’s Rugby League World Cup kicked off at the Allianz Stadium – home of the NRL Champions Sydney Roosters. What was served up as the opener of the competition was a thriller, and should serve as an inspiration for our youngsters wanting to strive for the highest levels of our sport.
As the team prepped for the third game of the tour, the boys were active at training, with the rigours of full-time professional sport being experienced by the team in a way that the trip was designed to challenge them. Our players are used to training hard during the year, but never in the consistent, almost daily manner that the tour calls for.
A trip to Manly followed, firstly to 4 Pines Park, where the Saints were given a brilliant tour of Manly Warringah Sea Eagles’ facilities, including discussion about how their players develop and work on their own game.
The Saints Tourists then got the chance to try out a classic Australian activity: surfing. They were given a lesson on the front of Manly Beach before trying their hand at it in the beautiful open waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Wonderful experiences for our youngsters, with game three of the tour to come up next…
