PLAYERS from York’s four amateur rugby league clubs will represent the city this weekend in a tournament in Ukraine.

Organised by York Acorn coach Leigh Paul-Rientoul and New Earswick All Blacks’ committee member Gary Dickenson, the trip is designed to kick-start the rejuvenation of York & District Amateur Rugby League.

It follows the success of the East v West ‘Yorigin’ clash at Clifton Park in December - arranged in memory of York RL ‘legend’ Stuart Evans who was a long-serving match official and administrator and a big advocate of York & District ARL.

Both Italy and Poland have pulled out of the tournament which means York will now be playing three games against Ukrainian representative sides.

The 12-man squad will also attend a civic function on Friday night in the host city of Kharkiv where they will be interviewed by Ukrainian TV.

“It’s a big thing for all the players and gives those who might not get picked by Yorkshire or Great Britain an opportunity to represent their local area,” said Paul-Rientoul, who developed links with Ukraine RL while touring with the BARLA Great Britain Under-23s in 2009 and 2010.

“Everyone is really looking forward to it,” he added. “We have had six or seven training sessions and we are hoping to make the tour an annual event which would be a boost for amateur rugby league in York.”

The original plan had been to involve three players from each of the four local clubs - York Acorn, New Earswick All Blacks, Heworth, and York Lokomotive.

Injuries and issues surrounding availability, however, have led to enforced changes.

Heworth’s only representative is Liam Jackson after Callum Worthington pulled out this week due to a broken arm.

Team-mate Liam Richmond had also been invited to attend but was unable to commit in time. Worthington has been replaced York Acorn’s Ben Cooper and Richmond has been replaced by New Earswick’s Adam Kirby.

Also travelling from New Earswick are Liam Gargan, Dean Smith and Tom Holmes.

Acorn are represented by Karl Harton, Brandon Harris, Matt Chilton and Cooper.

The Lokos’ are representated by Jarred Smith, Ricky James and Jon Cambridge.

Paul-Rientoul says the players involved are not necessarily the ‘best’ in the area but people who will benefit from the experience or who deserve the opportunity.

On the backroom staff, Paul-Rientoul is joined by All Blacks’ player-coach Jack Stearman, administrator Dickenson, Tom Dunmore from the Lokos, and Mark Cram from sponsors Commercial Cleaning.

The majority of the trip is self-funded but sponsors are providing a new kit and training gear which was due to be presented to the squad on Wednesday night at Clifton Park by Leeds and Great Britain international Jamie Jones-Buchanan and former Super League player-turned actor Adam Fogerty.