Storm's first GB squad member, Tom Bold

South London Storm have received a boost this week with the announcement that they have their first Great Britain international squad player.

Tom Bold has been playing for South London Storm RLFC Juniors (now named the Croydon Hurricanes) and South London Schools sides since he was 11. He also represented London & The South at U13, U14, & U15 ages inter-regional games against Wales, Cumbria, North West Counties, North East Counties and Yorkshire. He has now been called into the Great Britain Amateurs U18 squad to face the French.

He has also just been offered a professional contract with Super League side Harlequins RL for whom he has been playing U18 Academy rugby last year. Tom is currently playing winter rugby for the South London Storm U21s side and is in the training squad for Harlequins Under 21s Senior Academy side.

Storm have had internationals come through the ranks in the past, Iain Lane (Scotland Students), Adam Janokowski (England U16) and at senior level Corey Simms, Rickey Davey and Gavin Calloo (West Indies) and Louis Neethling, Louis Boschoff and Guisbert Huismenn (South Africa) but have never had a GB International.

?This is the highest honour for any Under 18 player in the country and is absolute proof that we are approaching the way we bring youngsters into the game in the correct way. Tom has been a great asset to the club both on the field and off and this is a well deserved call up.? Commented club Chairman Paul Brown.

?We are all very proud of Tom and wish him all the best in the Squad training and hope for him to be in the 17 and get a GB shirt. It would be a great honour for him and the club to be this close to an international cap.?

?I just hope I can play well enough in the trials and training to get the chance to pull on the shirt, it would be an amazing honour to do this, if not then this experience will help me grow in to a better player.? Tom commented on in his initial selection.

Great Britain?s first game is on Tuesday 21st of February against France 'Espoirs' (U18s) - Great Britain also play Holland as a warm up game before playing France in the return away fixture. The team will also host Australian touring sides during the year (was Penrith Panthers U18s and AIS - Australia Institute of Sport - last year).