Schofield to Lead BARLA Again

Garry Schofield leads a touring Great Britain side to South Africa as the BARLA Under-19 side embarks on a five-match tour of South Africa on Thursday morning.

The tour will provide Schofield with a sense of déjà vu because he captained the highly successful BARLA Under-18s tour to New Zealand in 1983, just before he turned professional.

A number of other future professionals like Mike Ford, Deryck Fox and Gary Divorty accompanied Schofield on that tour.

“I was made up to be offered the position of head coach of the tour and I can’t wait to get out there with the boys,” said Schofield.

“I’ve coached the Yorkshire Under-19s in the last two years and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. The standard is very good and I hope I can play a part in these guys progressing their careers.

“We’ve assembled an excellent squad and I’ve got a first-class tour management behind me. We’ll be playing some expansive football over in South Africa and we’ve picked a squad of talented players who will suit that style.”

The first match is on Saturday (22 May) against South Africa Schools who Schofield’s men will meet again in their third match.

They will also come up against a South Africa Junior Development side, South Africa Students and the South Africa Rhinos Under-21s before returning on 8 June. The squad will be based near Johannesburg.

Regular updates from the tour will appear on Twitter from Schofield (@GarrySchofield6) and the tour's media manager, Richard de la Rivière (@RichdelaRiviere).

The Squad
Mark Ballard (Leigh East), Matthew Bell (Thatto Heath Crusaders), Peter Caddy (Wath Brow Hornets), Pat Foulstone (Shaw Cross Sharks), Ross Gainford (Kells), Adam Gant (Westgate Wolves), Matthew Huby (Wath Brow Hornets), Kenny Hughes (Thatto Heath Crusaders), Tom Hurdus (Saddleworth Rangers), Zach Johnson (Shaw Cross Sharks), Danny Jones (Leigh Miners Rangers), Kurtis Marsh (Pilkington Recs), Adam Masson (Shaw Cross Sharks), Jack Murray (Egremont Rangers), Daniel Rooney (Maryport), Danny Rowse (Castleford Lock Lane), Karl Sandford (Thatto Heath Crusaders), Steve Scholey (Maryport), Thomas Spencer (Wigan St Pats), Anthony Tognola (West Hull), Liam Thompson (Queens), Alex Walmsley (Dewsbury Celtic), Lewis Wilson (Kells), Greg Worrall (Oldham St Annes).

Management: Dave Roberts (Tour Manager), Colin Phillips (Assistant Tour Manager), Garry Schofield (Head Coach), Mark Robb (Assistant Coach), Andy Scaife (Physio), Mick Worrall (Equipment), Joe Cobb (Referee), Richard de la Rivière (Media Manager).

Itinerary
22 May: South Africa Schools (Vanderbijlpark)
26 May: South Africa Junior Development (Welkom)
29 May: South Africa Schools (Potchefstroom)
2 June: South Africa Students (Pretoria)
5 June: South Africa Rhinos Under 21s (East Rand)