Hull FC’s Academy will embark on a three-week tour of Australia in 2027. The tour – which the club believe shows their vision to produce their own homegrown talent – will be the first of its kind for the club’s Centre of Excellence, with the aim to ‘further develop some of the club’s future stars, and offer invaluable personal and cultural experiences.’
The Black and Whites will head Down Under in February/March 2027 and play against three NRL youth sides. The Academy will train and live as full-time professional athletes with many plans to visit and use some of the best rugby league facilities in the world.
The club will confirm full details and plans for the tour throughout the next 18 months, with the tour’s ultimate aim to ‘aid the development of some of the city’s brightest young sporting talent to best prepare them to enter the first-team environment in the years ahead.’
It is a significant financial and logistical investment from club owners Andrew Thirkill and David Hood, plus CEO Richie Myler, who are fully behind the club’s long-term vision to nurture and develop their own players, with the likes of Davy Litten, Lewis Martin, and Harvey Barron currently starring in the first-team.
Speaking on the announcement of the Academy Development Tour, Head of Youth Richard Tate, said: “This is an unbelievably exciting opportunity that we are able to offer our young players.
“Preparing for the tour over the next 18 months will be both fun and challenging, but we are already looking forward to the trip and the benefits it will provide our young players.
“I’d like to offer huge thanks to Richie and to our owners, Andrew and David, for supporting our vision of our youth development going forward and allowing us to offer this incredible experience.
“In my time at the club, youth has always been held in high regard, but this announcement shows the full nature of that new support in our continued vision to produce our own homegrown talent.
“This is more than just a tour; it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It will expose our players to new cultures and life experiences and state-of-the-art sporting facilities on the other side of the world and will ultimately challenge them both on and off the field, strengthen their relationships, and inspire personal growth.”
Hull FC last visited Australia in 2018, with the first-team going on a two-week tour of New South Wales, playing against Wigan Warriors and St George Illawarra Dragons.
Meanwhile, Myler believes the latest trip Down Under will be the ultimate experience’ for the club’s young players. He added: “This is a hugely significant announcement for the Centre of Excellence and the club as a whole.
“A development tour of Australia offers our young athletes the ultimate experience for a youth player – an incredible opportunity to not only experience some of the best facilities in the sport and a totally different culture, but it will also help them turn from boys into young men and gain experiences they will carry with them throughout the rest of their careers.
“While the club has already made a significant investment to help facilitate the tour, the generosity of our supporters and club partners will also play a significant role in assisting us, and I would like to thank anyone in advance who is able to offer their support, be it big or small.
“I know how much hard work will go into this project over the next 18 months to make the tour a success, and I thank everyone involved in advance for their tireless efforts.”
Hull will appoint a tour committee featuring representatives from across the club and the community, as well as support from several individuals from within the game based in Australia.
The club have also confirmed that supporters and club partners will be able to pledge their support to the development tour with a wide range of events and fundraising initiatives set to take place throughout 2025 and 2026. Full details will be confirmed in due course.