To boldly go where no (other) integrated side has gone before...

Llanelli Warriors South Pacific Tour 2017

So, 12 years after the Llanelli Warriors club 1st traveled to New Zealand to follow the Lions we did it again, sort of... This is the story of how the Warriors decided to retrace the "Most Ambitious Sporting Project Involving People with Learning Disabilities" and add to it!

 Ever ambitious, even whilst touring New Zealand in 2005, the Warriors were considering what else could be done. How do you go beyond taking a rugby tour further than New Zealand?

 Given we live in Wales, what other environment could compete with the land of the All Blacks?

 For once the WRU did some forward planing and announced it's touring plans well in advance, and there it was - Wales to tour the Pacific Islands WHILST the Lions were in New Zealand!
Initially it looked as though travelling to NZ, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa just wouldn't be possible. Then Fiji was cancelled and the Tonga match was moved to New Zealand. So with the Lions and Wales in New Zealand plans were laid. It became apparent though, that going to Samoa was actually cheaper than staying in NZ during a Lions tour.
 For me personally, this was what I was really looking forward to. The Warriors had been to New Zealand, I had even played for a local side, whilst I was thrilled at the idea of doing it again, Samoa was the difference. Whilst New Zealand and Wales are talked about as great rugby cultures, what the Island nations have achieved with a tiny population and minimal resources is unbelievable. And of those three countries, Samoa is the one that stands out to me.
 I've watched Wales lose to Samoa in Cardiff, not their famous 1991 World Cup Challenge, but in 1999 when Wales were on something of a roll under Graham Henry. Wales record was Won 5 Lost 3. They are always competitive at every World Cup and players of Samoan heritage litter the rugby world. There was also the fact that Wales had toured there twice more than any other non Island nation.

The full Wales - Samoa record CLICK and Wales record v Tonga CLICK

So that was the tour, plans and funding were already well underway before the Tongan venue was confirmed and before the Samoan leg was added). Whereas the 2005 tour was mainly organised and arranged by Dean Gilasbey, this time Jamie Evans stepped into that role.
There were some awesome efforts on the fundraising front with these events standing out:
November rugby dinner at the Selwyn Samuel Centre with guest speaker Tom David
The monthly discos and curry nights organised (mainly by Vannessa Morgan), these increased in popularity and Vanessa worked very hard on these and other events even after her son Ryan was unable to tour. Quick mention for Gary's quiz which have become a feature of the curry nights.
Ieuan Davies - fund raiser extraordinaire, Ieu was happy to ask anyone and everyone to help out and raised loads of money.
Brecon RFC - via Ieuan, Brecon decided to support the Warriors despite never having any contact. They raised money at their annual dinner and we look forward very much to a fixture soon.
Roy Davies - continued support not only in sponsorship from his RD Haulage company, but also at other events such as the bike ride and sponsorship from Llansawel ladies.
The bike ride.
Llansawel Ladies.
@One_Mrs_k
Rugby Q&A with Peter Rees and supported by Burry Port women, Burry Port and the Mayor. JustGiving - nearly £1,500 raised form various donations with a special mention for London Welsh, Croeserw and Gwlad RFC but thanks to all who donated.
We were definitely feeling the love!

 So a schedule was set. 32 intrepid explorers put their names down, fixtures were arranged, flights were booked, and we were off... (Once Jamie had discovered he had miscalculated and we lost a day)
This was the schedule.

Warriors Tour to New Zealand and Samoa itinerary:
Wed 14/6/17: Travel to London, Flight from London 21:25
Thu 15/6/17: Travel (via Bangkok)
Fri 16/6/17: Arrive Auckland 10:45, attend Tonga v Wales, NZ v Samoa
Sat 17/6/17: Travel to Hamilton, FairField United Yellowbellies v Llanelli Warriors Maori v Lions 19:35 (Rotarua) on tv
Sun 18/6/17: South Auckland Kiwis v Llanelli Warriors (Hamilton Marist RFC)
Mon 19/6/17: Travel to Te Kuiti for unveiling of Sir Colin Meads statue
Tue 20/6/17: Cycle ride and Hot Baths, Attend Chiefs v Lions (19:35)
Wed 21/6/17: Travel to Auckland, depart 16:25, Arrive Apia 21:15
Thu 22/6/17: Vaiala Ulalei Sports Club v Llanelli Warriors
Fri 23/6/17: Attend Samoa v Wales
Sat 24/6/17: Pualele Paddle Club - paddling in bay at Apia (NZ v Lions 21:35 on tv)
Sun 25/6/17: Depart Apia 21:55, Arrive Auckland 1:10
Mon 26/6/17: Tour of brewery
Tue 27/6/17: College Rifles RFC v Llanelli Warriors (Hurricanes v Lions on tv)
Wed 28/6/17: Depart Auckland 13:10
Thu 28/6/17: Arrive London

To Begin at the beginning...
Bright sunny morning, quick run to George for more pants/socks, Last visit to Jenkins Bakery for two weeks (!) and once everyone had turned up/dragged themselves out of Witherspoons we were off.

AS ever the 1st job is to give out the tour program, unfortunately there were printing issues and it didn't come out very well so here for the 1st time in Giant Technicolor is (click)

The Llanelli  Warriors South Pacific Tour Program.

1st tour group foto - Llanelli Town Hall

Lee & Flash, the quote is from the NZTV program about the Warriors from 2005 Click

The 1st leg of the journey was pretty straight forward. Good contacts meant we had an Edwards coach and for once on a Jamie Evans organised trip there were no issues as we shot down the motorway to Heathrow. Good to start appointing the tour slave although it takes some time for some of the Tour Virgins to get the idea with one having to be told early on "What do you think this is? a bloody holiday!!"

Colin with the Slave hat on en route to Heathrow

There was a stop at Magor for people to be able to buy Welsh items (as per tour rules) and work out the buddy system. Simon Day loses his Welsh item! Write on Welsh flag - wrong way round :(
 Most of the time at Heathrow is spent in the "pub" - 1st drinking games of tour), Jordan loses Welsh items.

Flight to Bangkok - sit round airport, beer even more expensive.

Flight to Auckalnd, ARRIVE NEW ZEALAND!!

met by old allies and organisers Bernard 'Gappa' Gittings and Ian 'Marshy' Marshall,

A quick pick up by A-B Buses and we quickly decamp to BASE X hostel

all is good - travel is over, it's time to begin the tour!!

Photo Album: We went there by Plane and by Car (and by Bus)

Next installment: 1st Kiwi pub, Wales v Tonga, New Zealand v Samoa and karaoke...