MATT FOSTER and Jason Ramshaw are to lead a British Police team on a tour of New Zealand next month.

They were invited to join the police touring party after building close links with the West Yorkshire force in Keighley through the Cougars' community programme.

"We work very closely with the police, particularly during the Summer Play Scheme and the PAWE Scheme, but it is a tremendous honour to be invited to join the tour," Foster said.

Foster and Ramshaw worked alongside each other to take rugby league into schools before 'Rammy' retired from rugby league and initially joined a police-led project to helped trouble youngsters through sport. More recently he joined York RLFC where he has been building a community scheme based on the Cougar project and working on the club's coaching team.

During the tour they plan to meet up with New Zealand-based former Cougar players including Greg Hiley and Mark Brook-Cowden.

Both players had to raise £2,000 towards the cost of taking part in the tour and Keighley-based businesses were quick to give their support. Sponsors have included Kadtel, South Street Metals, Brunskill Windows, Carta Sport, MCC Auto Centres, Jeremy Crowther, Nigel and Wendy Simpson and Chattfields LDV Vans.

Matt Foster is also still looking for backers to support the tour and he can be contacted on 07947-818162.

During the tour they will play three Tests in New Zealand and a Development game in Singapore.

n The pictures (right) shows Matt Foster and Jason Ramshaw with coach John Hamer and Adrian Walker and Nigel Simpson of shirt sponsors Kadtel.