Tours
As Rugby League expands more countries are looking for visiting teams from the UK
Touring events can prove to be great cultural experiences and as well as making lasting contacts and friendships, going on tour will also help support the development of the game in the host country.
Before planning a tour, you may want to consider if there are more affordable ways to meet your aims without needing to tour overseas – playing games in a different region linked to a major event could be a great way to introduce a young group to touring domestically.
Touring countries and overseas associations looking for regular touring sides include Czechia, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Serbia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine and Wales.
It is important to carefully consider the aim of your tour. Will it be for development, as an opportunity to try new things in a different environment, or solely for fun and relaxation?
Is touring the right thing for the age-group you have in mind? How will you fund the tour and ensure that it is inclusive for all members of your team, ensuring that everyone can take part, not just those who can afford it?
You should also consider whether touring is beneficial to your opposition. The game of Rugby League is at very different stages of development across the world – will your tour be developmentally appropriate for the hosts?
You must also consider the most appropriate timing for your tour and the destination, always keeping your overall aim in mind. When planning a tour approval must be obtained in advance from both the RFL and the national federation of the host team. If you’re planning a tour for children, it is essential that you read our Touring with Children Guide and the RFL Safeguarding Policy.
Applying for Permission
Fully complete the form above and send to touring@rfl.uk.com
Clubs - Applying for permission to tour overseas
- Download the Outgoing Tour Application Form.
- Fully complete this form. You will need to obtain approval from the host country you are visiting. For this you should get assistance from your host club, or contact the host country directly.
- When touring Clubs must ensure they comply with the RFL Safeguarding Policy and Operational Rules specifically around qualifications (Operational Rule C3:2:4).
- Clubs will be insured by the RFL’s Personal Accident and Public Liability policies for playing rugby league whilst on tour, providing RFL approval has been granted. Details of the cover can be found HERE. For the avoidance of doubt if a Club is not compliant with the Policy and the Tour is not approved there will be no insurance cover provided by the RFL policies. Before a Club tour it should provide all participants with confirmation of what cover is in place.
- Please note that this insurance does not cover temporary injury, loss of earnings, medical and legal expenses or any other type of injury not mentioned in the policy. You will need to obtain additional travel insurance (which will cover you for any repatriation costs should a player become injured during the match and need specialist travel home). For this cover we recommend Bartlett’s Insurance company who can be contacted by phone on 0113 258 5711 or by email on mail@bartlettgroup.com. An example of the rates for this cover can be found HERE.
- Once completed and signed, send your application to touring@rfl.uk.com
Clubs - Applying for permission to host an incoming tour
- Download the RFL Tour Hosting Application Form.
- Fully complete this form. You will need to obtain approval from the NGB of your visiting team. The visiting team should assist you with providing this information. You will also need to speak to the relevant Competition to ensure that matches do not conflict with the playing calendar.
- Once completed and signed, send your application to touring@rfl.uk.com
Organisations
All organisations and members of organisations who intend to arrange an international match or international exchange must complete and return the overseas application form above no less than six months prior to the intended tour date.
The Community Board International Group are responsible for agreeing and sanctioning all Tours.
- English Lions
- English Lions Youth
- Lionhearts
- University & College RL
- GB Police
- GB Teachers
- GB Armed Forces
- Royal Navy
- Royal Air Force
- The Army
- England Women
- England Wheelchair
- BARLA Rep Teams
Tour Checklist
- Itinerary
- Consent forms including medical and disability record
- Luggage
- Cost to participants
- Codes of Conduct while on Tour DBS’S as needed for supervising adults
- Communication with Parents
- Ratios of staff to children (minimum of two adults at all times without exception and never one on one)
- Roles and responsibilities e.g. Tour manager and Supervision rota
- Club Home Contact (person appointed from club to deal with emergencies)
- Overnight arrangements
- Risk Assessment carried out and actions completed (possibly more than once)
- Transport /Forms of transport
- Supervision Accommodation and Room Allocation
- Catering on Arrival
- Emergency Procedures First Aid & Physio provision Local medical services/hospital Incident reporting National
- Emergency numbers British Embassy contact details (if travelling abroad)
- Insurance - Travel Insurance, Personal accident insurance for travelling abroad, which may extend to medical expenses, repatriation costs.
- Medical issues
- Vaccinations
Contact Us
For more information, contact the RFL Community Game Competition Delivery Team by e-mail: tours@rfl.uk.com.