Hindpool Tigers club captain Nathan Sneesby will head to Jamaica for the North West Lionhearts’ upcoming tour next Monday.

This will be Sneesby’s second tour in the Caribbean after representing the BARLA U23’s squad in the same country back in 2014. The Lionhearts have three games scheduled over the 16-day trip; one against the Jamaica semi-pros and two against the Jamaican Residents, with a ‘nines’ tournament nestled in the middle.

In order to cover the costs of the trip, Sneesby had to rely on fundraising and donations throughout the year. Hindpool themselves have made donations through their annual comedy night, a contribution from the Masters team and also from money raised in their monthly bonus ball.

The North West Men’s League arranged a boxing event for all of the players selected for the tour, with all ticket sales contributing to subsidising the total cost.

To complete the fundraising, Sneesby organised a FIFA competition and a race night that were both held at the club.

Having been presented with squad number 16, he is quietly confident of getting some decent game time and is really looking forward to the challenge that lies ahead.

Sneesby said: “I am looking forward to having another chance to go on tour, especially after rupturing my ACL back in 2015, six months after I got back from the previous tour and hopefully I can do the club proud. I would like to say a massive thank you to my family, friends, work colleagues and everyone down the club who have helped donate towards me getting the funds to go, by donating, turning up to fundraisers or buying raffle tickets after match days.

“Thinking back to the last tour, I remember the Jamaicans being pretty tough and aggressive and continued coming at us all game, so I am expecting nothing less this time around, but they will have probably developed further since.”

Joining Sneesby on the tour is Paul Rickelton who takes on the role of ‘hydration specialist’. Paul has been stalwart member of the Lionhearts over recent years, participating in tours to Canada, Serbia and Italy/Sicily.

Although taking up a part of the staff quota for the trip it is understood that he will participate as a player in at least the ‘nines’ tournament.