ARGENTINA
RUGBY TOUR F R I D A Y
4 T H
J U L Y
T O
T H U R S D A Y
2025
1 7 T H
J U L Y
A MESSAGE FROM THE HEADMASTER When showing people around our school, I always pause in front of the walls of photos of sporting occasions over the years, whether at AKS or at the heritage schools. People are always eager to pore over them to find themselves or friends they knew, in a formal team picture or a snap of a heroic goal or simply a candid capturing of a great match. Their memories are frequently sharper than the slightly blurred images
from
decades
past,
and
it
says
something about the key part that sport played in their school days, a thread running through their lives well beyond their time in education. Taking up a noticeboard all by itself is the collage of pictures from our international tours. The spirit of those transcends both sport itself and the idea of winning – it’s a lifechanging experience for the people who are prepared to put in the hours on a bleak Lancashire weekend, turning out for their teams and coming to the practices whatever the weather and whoever the opposition. The spirit is one of participation as much as success: if people want to play for the school, we will try to make it happen, and rugby should be more than the 1st XV. And it is a spirit that has served us well, with our top team ultimately triumphing over Stonyhurst in a famous Lancashire Cup Final at a packed evening at Flyde Rugby Club, when a bunch of once-struggling Year 7 youngsters, together with their coaches, worked hard to get themselves to the top and succeeded. As our tour squad head over the Atlantic, I know that they too will do themselves and their school proud, and forge amazing memories that will live long and inspire still another generation of AKS sportspeople in the years to come. The photos will be great, I am sure, but to live it: amazing! David Harrow
A MESSAGE FROM MR HOLMES This has been a fantastic season for rugby at AKS, and to top it off with a tour to Argentina and Uruguay is the icing on the cake. The 1st XV has enjoyed the most successful season in the school’s history—winning the Lancashire Cup, making a strong run in the national cup, and winning all but one of our Saturday fixtures. The squad claimed victories against a number of prestigious rugby-playing schools, including Stonyhurst and Lancaster Grammar. The U16s also had a strong season, winning the Lancashire Bowl, aided by the integration of the U15s—who will also join us on tour. This makes for an extremely exciting group of players travelling with us. In addition to team success, we have had a record number of homegrown players selected for the Sale Sharks Elite Player Group, as well as representation at county level for Lancashire, regional level for the North of England, and at the national level for the Independent Schools Representative Side. This is a testament to the hard work of the boys and the dedicated support of our coaches and volunteers. As a school, we pride ourselves on playing expansive rugby based on strong decisionmaking. We are very much looking forward to the challenges we will face in South America, where we expect to encounter a combination of flair and physicality. This experience will be invaluable in preparing our younger players for the intensity of the domestic season as they move up into the senior squad. Finally, I would like to thank everyone who has made this tour possible—Inspire Sports, our sponsors, the host families, and the staff who have generously given up their time to plan and attend the tour.
A. Holmes
RUGBY TOUR MATCHES DAY 4: MONDAY 7TH JULY 2025 14:30hrs: MATCH 1 – AKS LYTHAM 1 V ST GEORGE’S COLLEGE QUILMES 14:30hrs: MATCH 1 – AKS LYTHAM 2 V ST GEORGE’S COLLEGE NORTH
DAY 7: THURSDAY 10TH JULY 2025 18:00hrs: MATCH 2 – AKS LYTHAM 1 V CARRASCO POLO RC 19:15hrs: MATCH 2 – AKS LYTHAM 2 V CARRASCO POLO RC
DAY 12: TUESDAY 15TH JULY 2025 14:30hrs: MATCH 3 – AKS LYTHAM 1 V SAN CARLOS RC 14:30hrs: MATCH 3 – AKS LYTHAM 2 V SAN CARLOS RC
THE STAFF TEAM
ALAN HOLMES
RICHARD CHADWICK
SIMON DAWS
Preferred Nickname/ name: Holmesy Age on Tour: 43 Playing Position: Fly Half Height: 5'9" Favourite Rugby Player: Keith Wood Tell us one interesting fact about yourself:I played in the Senior Lancashire Cup winning team for 4 years on the bounce, with Fylde then Preston Grass Hoppers.
Preferred Nickname/ name: n/a Age on Tour: 37 Playing Position: 10-15 Height: 5'12....... Favourite Rugby Player: Matt Perry / Brian O'Driscoll / Will Greenwood Tell us one interesting fact about yourself:....... former estate agent
Preferred Nickname/ name: Dawsy Age on Tour: 30 (+15) Playing Position: 7 Height: 6ft Favourite Rugby Player: Thierry Dusautoir Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: Hidden talent: Steak & crisps consumption / Unique experience: Punched by a dolphin / Funny moment: ...... Punched by a dolphin / Hobbies: Golf & exploring
GRAEME MCINTYRE
ANDREW PARKER
Preferred Nickname/ name:Mac Age on Tour: 52 (birthday on tour) Playing Position: Hooker/rangy full back Height: 5ft 8 Increasing Favourite Rugby Player: John Jeffrey Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: The only player on tour to play in an international,(against the Andorran sevens team)
Preferred Nickname/ name: Age on Tour: 57 Playing Position: Hooker Height: 5'10" Favourite Rugby Player: Jamie George Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: I like paddleboarding (Oh, and I can burp at will)
THE SQUAD
HARVEY ASHWORTH
ETHAN BANKS
GEORGE CHAPMAN
Preferred Nickname/ name: Harvey Age on Tour: 18 Playing Position: Loose Head Prop Height: 6ft 4
Preferred Nickname/ name: Banksy Age on Tour: 15 Playing Position: Back Row 7,6,8 Height: 6'1 Favourite Rugby Player: Pieter-Steph du Toit Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: I am part South African
Preferred Nickname/ name: Chappers Age on Tour: 16 Playing Position: Second Row Height: 5'10 Favourite Rugby Player: Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: I can play the drums
HENRY CLARKSON
HENRY COOPER
SAM CURRAN
Preferred Nickname/ name: n/a Age on Tour: 15 Playing Position: 10,12,15 Height: 5ft 8 Favourite Rugby Player: Fin Smith Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: I have a good reverse pass
Preferred Nickname/ name:Henry or Coops Age on Tour: 16 Playing Position: 6 or 7 Height: 5ft 11 Favourite Rugby Player: Jim Renwick Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: I ride dirt bikes.
Preferred Nickname/ name: Sammy Age on Tour: 16 Playing Position: Scrum Half Height: 171 cm Favourite Rugby Player: Leigh Halfpenny Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: Really good at flags
THE SQUAD
TOBY CURRAN
CHARLIE DAWSON
XAVIER DINELEY
Preferred Nickname/ name: TC Age on Tour: 18 Playing Position: 9 or 10 Height: 5’9” Favourite Rugby Player: Own Farrell Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: Saw lions while on safari in Kenya
Preferred Nickname/ name: Daws Age on Tour: 15 Playing Position: Hooker/flanker Height: 5’11” Favourite Rugby Player: Doddie Weir Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: The most powerful pound for pound player on tour even more so than Stan.
Preferred Nickname/ name: Xav Age on Tour: 16 Playing Position: Fly Half Height: 5ft 9 Favourite Rugby Player: Fin Smith Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: Hidden talent: I played for Blackburn rovers academy when I was 8.
OMAR ELGENDY
CHARLIE FLEETWOOD
LEO GOLDER FREND
Preferred Nickname/ name: Omar Age on Tour: 17 Playing Position: Wing Height: 5ft 9 Favourite Rugby Player: Zander Fagerson Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: I’m double jointed
Preferred Nickname/ name: Charlie Age on Tour: 15 Playing Position: Winger Height: 1.82M or nearly very nearly 6 foot. Favourite Rugby Player: Joshua Tuisova: Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: One handed fingertip pushup, swam with sharks, (I love barbecue sauce)
Preferred Nickname/ name: Scootz Age on Tour: 18 Playing Position: 2 Height: 5”8 Favourite Rugby Player: Joe Marler Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: Funny moment- Holmsey’s South Africa karaoke.
THE SQUAD
DAVID HOWARTH
CHARLIE KELLS
ALFIE KELLY
Preferred Nickname/ name: David Age on Tour: 15 Playing Position: Prop/ 8 Height: 5'1" Favourite Rugby Player: Ellis Genge Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: I’m good at call of duty
Preferred Nickname/ name: Kelsey Age on Tour: 17 Playing Position: Wing Height: 5'8 Favourite Rugby Player: Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: Gym golf
Preferred Nickname/ name: Kelly Age on Tour: 17 Playing Position: 9 Height: 5ft 10 Favourite Rugby Player: Tell us one interesting fact about yourself:
ZAC LAW
JACOB LEVER
SAMUEL LORD
Preferred Nickname/ name: Zac Age on Tour: 16 Playing Position: Centre Height: 169cm Favourite Rugby Player: Manu Tuilagi Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: I also play for Warrington Rugby League.
Preferred Nickname/ name: Jacob Age on Tour: 16 Playing Position: Full Back Height: 6ft 1 Favourite Rugby Player: Marcus Smith Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: Played for Liverpool when I was 8.
Preferred Nickname/ name: Lordy Age on Tour: 18 Playing Position: Second Row (Lock) Height: 6'4 Favourite Rugby Player: Eben Etzebeth Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: I won most improved player on the 2022 South Africa tour and I hope to continue my exceeding mediocrity. Or, I am a relative of Professor Brian Cox, which explains my frightening genius.
THE SQUAD
KEINAN MARKER
LEO MATTHEWS
STANLEY MATTHEWS
Preferred Nickname/ name: Keinan Age on Tour: 16 Playing Position: Scrum Half Height: 5'9" Favourite Rugby Player: Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: The 9 who can’t kick.
Preferred Nickname/ name: Leo Age on Tour: 16 Playing Position: 7 Height: 5'11 Favourite Rugby Player: Sam Underhill Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: Benched 100kg two years before my brother did.
Preferred Nickname/ name: Stan Age on Tour: 18 Playing Position: 6 Height: 6’1 with shoes Favourite Rugby Player: Harvey Ashworth Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: Got told I was too fast for back row in year 10.
ROBERT MAYOR
LUCAS MCCARTHY
ROMAN MCCORMACK
Preferred Nickname/ name: Robert Age on Tour: 17 Playing Position: Second Row Height: 6ft 3 Favourite Rugby Player: Joe Marler Tell us one interesting fact about yourself:
Preferred Nickname/ name: Lucas Age on Tour: 17 Playing Position: Second Row Height: 6'4" Favourite Rugby Player: Tell us one interesting fact about yourself:
Preferred Nickname/ name: Rome Age on Tour: 16 Playing Position: Second Row Height: Favourite Rugby Player: The Broon from Troon Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: Has smiled less on the rugby field than Martin Johnson
THE SQUAD
TOMMY MCGUIRK
DANIEL MCNICHOLAS
ZAKK MOORE
Preferred Nickname/ name: Tommy Age on Tour: 17 Playing Position: 13 Height: 180cm Favourite Rugby Player: Ollie Lawrence Tell us one interesting fact about yourself:
Preferred Nickname/ name: Leo Age on Tour: 16 turn 17 Playing Position: Flanker Height: 6ft Favourite Rugby Player: arcus Smith Tell us one interesting fact about yourself:
Preferred Nickname/ name: Zakk Age on Tour: 16 Playing Position: Winger and Scrum Half Height: 5’8 Favourite Rugby Player: Harvey Ashworth Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: I like other sports aswell.
DANIEL MURRAY
ADETOKUNBO OMOTADE
EDWARD OTTER
Preferred Nickname/ name: D. Muzz Age on Tour: 17 Playing Position: Prop (tight head) Height: 188cm Favourite Rugby Player: Bundee Aki Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: I’m half Austrian half Irish
Preferred Nickname/ name: Toks Age on Tour: 17 Playing Position: Second Row/ back row Height: 6'2" Favourite Rugby Player: Courtney Lawes Tell us one interesting fact about yourself:
Preferred Nickname/ name: Eddie Age on Tour: 15 Playing Position: Second Row Height: 187cm Favourite Rugby Player: Itoje Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: Bllack belt in karate.
THE SQUAD
MATTHEW POPLE Preferred Nickname/ name: Matthew Age on Tour: 16 Playing Position: Hooker Height: 6ft 1 Favourite Rugby Player: Tell us one interesting fact about yourself:
FINNIAN REYNOLDS Preferred Nickname/ name: Finn Age on Tour: 18 Playing Position: 14 Height: 5ft 11 Favourite Rugby Player: Kolbe Tell us one interesting fact about yourself:
JAKE RAE Preferred Nickname/ name: Jake Age on Tour: 17 Playing Position: Centre Height: 5ft 11 Favourite Rugby Player: h Tell us one interesting fact about yourself:
WILLIAM SAYERS Preferred Nickname/ name: Will Age on Tour: 16 Playing Position: Wing, 14 Height: 5ft 9 Favourite Rugby Player: Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: Into the Gym
HENRY REYNOLDS Preferred Nickname/ name: Henry Age on Tour: 15 Playing Position: Inside Centre, 12 Height: 6’1 Favourite Rugby Player: Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: Kite Surfing
JOSHUA SQUIRES Preferred Nickname/ name: Winger/centre Age on Tour: Playing Position: Winger/centre Height: 6ft 2 Favourite Rugby Player: Tony Stanger Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: A very powerful runner but has skipped leg day every time he goes to the gym.
THE SQUAD
WILLIAM SWIFT
JASPER SYKES
EDWARD THOMPSON
Preferred Nickname/ name: Swifty Age on Tour: 17 Playing Position: Prop, Back Row Height: 6ft 1 Favourite Rugby Player: Jack Willis Tell us one interesting fact about yourself:
Preferred Nickname/ name: Jasper Age on Tour: 18 Playing Position: Hooker and Flanket Height: 5ft 8 Favourite Rugby Player: Dylan Hartley Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: Can play guitar and saxophone
Preferred Nickname/ name: Edward Age on Tour: 17 Playing Position: 7 Height: 5’11 Favourite Rugby Player: Marcus Smith Tell us one interesting fact about yourself:
FELIX TWITCHETT
JACK WILLIAMS
WILLIAM WYLES
Preferred Nickname/ name: Felix, FE Age on Tour: 18 Playing Position: 12 Height: 6ft Favourite Rugby Player: Finn Russel Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: 5th In the world boxing at the age of 9.
Preferred Nickname/ name: Jack Age on Tour: 15 Playing Position: Flanker Height: 5ft 10 Favourite Rugby Player: Jac Morgan Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: I’m better than Charlie Dawson at Seige.
Preferred Nickname/ name: Will / Wylesy Age on Tour: 17 Playing Position: 15/Wing Height: 6ft 1 Favourite Rugby Player: Tom Robyn Tell us one interesting fact about yourself: I can do a card trick.