To represent our fantastic State of NSW at any level is an honour and a privilege and for those who get the chance to do so experience a sense of achievement and pride in doing so. To represent NSW overseas, goes up another level as, not only are you representing NSW you are representing our great country Australia.
The squad is as follows:
1. Hayden Peacock (Giants)
2. Callum Blinco (Parramatta)
3. Matheson Johns (Giants)
4. Jack Davey (Macarthur)
5. Dylan Wagner (Easts)
6. Tyler Field (Parramatta)
7. David Farkas (Easts)
8. Rhys Schreuder (Giants)
9. Matt Johnstone (Easts)
10. Joel Patterson (Penrith)
11. Jackson Clarke (Easts)
12. Dane Clarke (Giants)
13. Hayden Ashcroft (Easts)
14. Josh Calcagno (Macarthur)
15. Brock Jamieson (Macarthur)
16. James Woolmington (Easts)
17. Sam Press (Manly)
18. Alex Maher (Easts)
19. Rhys Fagerlund (Country South)
20. Reece Chappell (Easts)
21. Jake Clisby (Easts)
Coach – Craig Sheridan
Manager – Glenn McDougall
Trainer – Steve Wilson
Trainer – Daniel Clements
Trainer – Peter Nissen
President – Steve McDonald
Vice President – Rod Sheraton
Treasurer – Steve Greer
Secretary – Cameron Smith
Ambassador – Paul Sironen
Sponsor representative – Liam Roach (Brydens Lawyers)
The NSW Police Rugby League had not toured overseas as a standalone identity since the all-conquering side of 1990 who went through the UK undefeated.
2023 through a lot of dedicated work by the NSWPRL committee and our sponsors, the dream became a reality when a tour was organised to play in the UK and for the first time ever, against the French Police in southern France.
On 8 September 2023, the NSWPRL squad met at Sydney airport to fly direct to Heathrow England, and onto our first port of call Barcelona Spain.
Unfortunately, our QANTAS flight was delayed by three hours.
Once up in the air, the squad was excited about the chance to have two and a half weeks touring, training and playing rugby league and being with each other seeing a few places most had not been before.
Because of our delay in Sydney, the five-hour window we had to travel from Heathrow to Gatwick airport to connect with our Barcelona flight was reduced.
The bus trip to Gatwick had us on edge knowing our chances of meeting our connection was reduced, but our sponsor Bryden’s Lawyers representee Liam Roach, took off as we entered the Gatwick airport and despite his ‘Forest Gump’ effort to sprint towards the Vueling check in counter, we were slightly too late, meaning we would have to re book on other flights to make Barcelona that day.
Nine of the group were booked on a late flight from Gatwick and the other twenty had to travel back to Heathrow to get to Barcelona on British Airways. Hence the Gatwick 9 or G9 crew and the Heathrow crew or H20 now known of the waterboys crew were born. G9’s governor was Glenn ‘Stix’ McDougall and the ‘Waterboys’ was our Bryden’s ambassador Paul ‘Sirro’ Sironen.
After landing in Barcelona, we checked into the Catalonia Hotel which was in a great location.
Our ambassador Paul Sironen (Siro) and Daniel Clements (Clemo) sourced a fantastic training venue only a short, picturesque walk from our hotel.
The boys trained well, and we had free time to explore the city before a team dinner that night at a great restaurant, organised by tour manager Glenn ‘Stix’ McDougall, opposite our hotel in the old bull-fighting venue.
The following day we couldn’t walk outside and thought the crowd was there to see us!! Until we realised the Catalans celebrate September 11, as its National day relating to the fall of Barcelona during the war of the Spanish Succession in 1714. The date is pivotal for Catalans to express their cultural and political identity.
After a few nights or R and R, we boarded a bus and headed to the beautiful town of Carcassonne in southern France. We stopped at the beautiful town of Narbone on the way for lunch at an Aussie ex-pat’s restaurant.
Our fullback Hayden Peacock had previously played for Carcassonne and his connections allowed us to train on their excellent stadium. Staying just around the corner from the famous Château Comtal de Carcossonne, the team had an excellent dinner at a restaurant within the historic town, within the castle, built in the early 13th century.
From Carcassonne, we travelled to another beautiful town in the south of France, Lezignan, where me met the municipal Police for a reception, and our resident French speaker Hayden Peacock addressed the mayor and reception crowd.
Our first game was against the French Police at the Stake du Moulin Lezignan, and what a fantastic experience that was. The grandstands were packed out and a band played for the entirety of the game adding to the fantastic atmosphere.
The French put on a fantastic after match function which was memorable, and we would like to thank our boys in blue French brothers for their exceptional friendship.
The following day we headed to the classic French city of Perpignan, and one of our attractions was to watch the Catalan Dragons play Leeds at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.
Our Byrden’s lawyer’s representative, Liam Roach is close mates with Les Catalan’s halfback and Sydney Roosters legend Mitchell Pearce, so it was nice to cheer on Mitchell in his final year of Super League.
From Perpignan, we travelled back to Barcelona where we flew to Manchester in the north of England to prepare for our battle against the Great Britain Police team in a few days’ time.
The hot weather in France, disappeared as we arrived at a drizzling and cold Manchester, checking into the classy Clayton Hotel.
The following day was full on as we had a training session at Pilkington grounds, a tour of St. Helens Totally Wicked Stadium and another tour booked at Anfield, the home of Liverpool soccer team.
After the Anfield tour we boarded the bus for another tour of the Merseyside Police Headquarters and followed off with a reception at Portico Vine Community Rugby League Club who hosted an ‘Aussie’ reception for us.
It was nice to see the team mix with the youngsters and supporters from the Portico Vine and a great night held by all. A big thank you to Mark Hobin and Sarah Doyle for organising this night and hosting our tours. Our tour party and the locals had a fantastic night singing Sweet Caroline with the entertainer at the function.
The following day, a large percentage of the squad attended the famous Old Trafford stadium, home of Manchester United. Craig Sheridan had organised a tour and the boys took in the history and spirit of that famous soccer club.
On 21 September 2023, our NSW team played the Great Britain Police at Totally Wicked Stadium St. Helens. The game was tough early on until NSW got their rhythm and ran out comfortable winners by 44 points to 4. Unfortunately, the win was soured with a hamstring injury to Jackson Clarke.
From Manchester we had a tough schedule of busing the squad to the Double Tree London, where the boys had to back up with a game against the London Skolars in North London.
The night was cold and miserable, and it was a credit to the team showing great discipline and resilience under the coaching of Craig Sheridan.
A great night had in London, before the tour ended and the team members either returned home or went on extended tours around the UK and Europe.
The squad as a whole, a great bunch of serving and former NSW Police officers, were outstanding on and off the field. Everyone contributed and did their job well which complemented the experience. The spirit and tightness of the group ensured there was a fantastic dynamic within the group which will harness the memories of a special trip.
On behalf of all of our fantastic sponsors Lee Hagipantelis from Brydens Lawyers, Dimeo Cleaning, Crimsafe, Police Bank, Fuji Xerox, T & M Management, JJ Robertson, the NSW Police Association and NSW Rugby League, a big thanks for your ongoing support and helped make this trip possible.
