NEW Earswick All Blacks ARLC are going out on tour Thursday to play Balkan Super League champions Red Star.

Founded in 2006, Red Star are the most successful side in the short history of the competition, which features 14 teams from eight countries.

The Belgrade-based outfit were invited to participate in this year's RFL Challenge Cup alongside 51 teams from Great Britain and Ireland. They were beaten 38-10 at National Conference League division three side Millom.

All Blacks' long-term plan is to make touring a regular offering for the clubs' players to offer them new experiences, including offering a touring squad for the juniors.

For now, though, it is just about giving the players something to enjoy after their Yorkshire Men's League premier division campaign, and Serbia was the practical destination with Stearman's assistant Mark Baines having gone out last year with the YML touring squad.

Player-coach Stearman explained: “It’s the same day as the Super League Grand Final and the idea was the play them then watch it with their lads, have a good time all together.

“We’re travelling Thursday and coming back Monday so we can train Friday, play Saturday and do touristy stuff on Sunday.

"It's to offer something different for the juniors, knowing full well that we eventually could offer a touring side for them.

"It's an option that makes All Blacks a different place for people to experience new things.

"Maybe once every two years we could go abroad.

"It's the start of something different."

If it were to become a regular fixture in the club's calender, All Blacks would need a funding pot for future tours, which would be an "opportunity for businesses to get involved and contribute to," added Stearman.

Alongside the 17 players travelling are six staff and supporters.