The Australian Fijian Rugby League yesterday confirmed its first match of the AFRL’s inaugural tour of Great Britain against National League Two team Workington Town. The match is scheduled to be played at Derwent Park on Nov 30 and will be the Australian Fijian’s first match of its three match tour.
The AFRL received confirmation from Workington Town CEO June Kennedy which will see the Australian Fijian’s stay with tradition of international rugby league teams kicking off an English tour in Cumbria. The tour will also see AFRL Chairman James Pickering return to his old club where he was instrumental in helping them in to Super League in 1994/95.
“James Pickering is an absolute legend in Workington.” said Kennedy.
“He is in our hall of fame here and the Town is full of excitement about him coming back to visit. I was here at the club when he was part of our team that got us back into the top flight. He visiting will bring back lots of fond memories for me and everyone in Workington”
The Australian Fijians will arrive in Workington on the 29th of November and take part in promotions with the Workington club with a lot of the events being focused around James Pickering’s return to the town.
“It’ll be great to go back to where it all began for me before I came to Australia to play for Canterbury.” said Pickering.
James Pickering (above) in his playing days at Workington Town and also in his role as AFRL Chairman (pictured below).
“Workington is a Rugby League mad town and our boys will enjoy the experience of playing in Cumbria. For me personally I’m really glad that we are kicking off our tour in Cumbria as all other visiting league teams to the UK do. It’ll be a true test for our boys battling the conditions and the hostile Workington crowd but that is all part of the experience for us. We are just glad that June Kennedy and Workington Town have given our boys the opportunity to come and play there.”
The Australian Fijians are just awaiting confirmation of their match against the Rochdale Hornets for their match itinerary to be complete.
Days at Workington Town
Tour organizer Steve Driscoll said “We have had good discussions with Mike Ratu from the Rochdale Fijians who is liasing with the Hornets for us. Hopefully we will have confirmation from them soon then our matches are all locked in.”
The Australian Fijians will depart Sydney on November 25 and return on Dec 17.
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