38 YEARS OF FRIENDSHIP

The four men who started off the whole tour back in 1970..

Some 38 years ago the first party of Shaw Cross boys journeyed the length of France to visit the birthplace of French rugby league. The bonds forged between Villeneuve and the Sharks are as strong as ever.

Many people over the years have become involved in this historic event. More than 1,700 boys have now taken part in the exchange and all stay with host families during the visit, a great opportunity to sample everyday life in France & England.

Added to this boys take in local cultural attractions and socialise with their opponents, forging long lasting friendships.

Organised into 'Minimes' and 'Cadets' the touring side always plays another two teams before ending the tour the night before the journey home playing against the hosts.

It takes a lot of organising and if it were not for the people that do this then it would not be where it is today. From the organisers of the daily trips right down to the players themselves it is a credit both to Shaw Cross, French organisers and the game in general the amount of effort that goes into this.

FRENCH TOUR 2008

Latest News - Sqauds arrived back at east Midlands safe and well.

Next year we will be the hosts so anyone already wanting to be a host family should contact Alan Smith. you can find the contact details on the Contact Us page.

FRENCH HOST STAFF:

FORT  JACKY & ALAIN DAURIAC 

TOURING PARTY:

Leaders for 2008 Tour are Alan Smith, Mark Wilcock, Matt Cawthron, Dave Harrison, Darryl Bastow & Simon Hagger.  

Date	Opposition	Result	Score
Monday March	Trentals	Won	42-0
Wednesday March	Tonnens	Lost	20-22
Saturday March	Villeneuve	Won	32-0

SHAW CROSS SHARKS  42 Vs 0 TRENTALS

Man of the Match: Alex Harrison

SHAW CROSS SHARKS  20 Vs 22 TONNENS

Date	Opposition	Result	Score
Monday March	Trentals	Lost	0-10
Wednesday March	Tonnens	Lost	8-16
Saturday March	Villeneuve	Lost	4-28

In recent years, Shaw Cross have spread the word even wider by visiting developing countries for rugby league such as South Africa and the groundbreaking trip to Serbia & Montenegro in 2005. Other trips including the one to Australia also add to the fine history of the club internationally. In 2007 the club visited the Czech Republic.

Long may the hard work, commitment and most important of all, the friendship continue between the Sharks and these countries.

Sharks players Matthew Myers and Danny Smith along with Mick Turner spread the word in South Africa on BARLA's Tour June 2007.

Pendant les années, des centaines de personnes ont soutenu cet échange, y compris plus de 1.700 jeunes treizistes.  Tous les rugbymen ont pu bénéficier des visites culturelles et sportives au sein de leurs familles d’acceuil et ont pu voir aussi la vie de tous les jours dans les deux pays. 

Au niveau rugby, les sélections françaises et anglaises comprennent toujours des « minimes » et des « cadets ».  Les deux équipes jouent toutes les deux trois matchs, le dernier match étant contre les hôtes Shaw Cross ou Villeneuve la veille du voyage-retour.

Un échange comme celui-ci nécessite beaucoup d’organisation – les Comités des deux côtés de la Manche ont fort travaillé pour que l’échange soit un succès.  Avec l’aide de tous ceux qui ont contribué pendant les années, le futur de l’échange est assuré, mais il reste du travail à faire pour continuer.

Côté anglais, la Comité comprend les membres suivants : Alan Smith, Dougie Hird, Alan Lancaster, Lisa Chandler et Jonny Burland.

A nous de leur dire tous un grand merci pour tout leur travail pendant les années de l’échange, également aux leaders et organisateurs français.