By Phil Caplan, Date: 13/8/12

Under 18s players from nine different clubs in the Midlands are set to depart for Belgrade for a two match series against hosts Serbia U18s and Lebanon U18s this week.

The party, the first from the region to tour, departs on Thursday 16th August and returns the following Monday and will represent England in the prestigious event.

 

The team have received a good luck message from the British Ambassador to Serbia, Mr Michael Davenport, who said, “I welcome the participation of a team from the Midlands in the Rugby League European Federation Under 18s Tournament taking place in Belgrade. I wish them every success and am delighted that this important tournament will be taking place in Serbia, where rugby league has attracted increasing support and gained in popularity over the last few years.”

Team Manager David Butler added, “The Midlands involvement is exciting, it allows us to offer competitive international opposition for the representative side, adding to the experience that the sport can offer young men in the region. We are very proud to represent England at the event and the tour party is prepared to conduct itself to the highest possible standards to demonstrate how far the game has come in our part of the country to the rest of Europe. Our players know the value and importance of developing international rugby league and are looking forward to playing their part.”

Included in the coaching party is stalwart Pom Tutt from Telford Raiders.

Midlands Under 18s: Michael Bennett (Nottingham Outlaws), Adam Bromley (Birmingham Bulldogs), Will Cox (Leamington Royals), Joe Frobisher (Nottingham Outlaws), Alex Heath (Telford Raiders), Ryan Home (Telford Raiders), Tom Hughes (North Derbyshire Chargers), Daniel Hyams (Nottingham Outlaws), Ben Lewis (Telford Raiders), Harry Marks (Coventry Bears), Alasdair McDougall-Stone (North Derbyshire Chargers), Reece Needham (Nottingham Outlaws), Jack Pearce (Derby City), Denham Samuels (Telford Raiders), Oliver Sankey (Birmingham Bulldogs), Connor Slater (Coventry Bears), Nick Tasker (Nottingham Outlaws), Myles Turner (Northampton Demons), Hershall Ward (Leicester Storm), David Wilson (Nottingham Outlaws), Chris Zaric (Birmingham Bulldogs) Coaches: James Carter (Leicester Storm), Dan Poulton (Wolverhampton Wasps), Pom Tutt (Telford Raiders). Team Manager: David Butler (Rugby Football League).

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