Jason Baitieri
Former Catalans Dragons player and France captain. Hills Bulls junior who turned one tour into a professional career.
How This Tour Was Born
My name is Jason Baitieri, and the Young Achievers Tour is deeply personal to me. Over 20 years ago, my father Tas Baitieri worked with the NSW Rugby League academy in Narrabeen, during a time when international development tours were offered to junior rugby league players across Australia. I was fortunate enough to be one of those young players who took part.
It led to opportunities overseas, the courage to move to France, and a professional career that saw me play over 300 Super League matches with the Catalans Dragons, as well as proudly represent France as captain over many years. The friendships, discipline, confidence, and life lessons I gained from that original tour stayed with me forever.
Most recently, players such as Kotoni Staggs have also taken part in the Young Achievers development tour and gone on to achieve elite success — including earning the honour of representing the NSW Blues. This clearly shows how early international exposure can help accelerate growth, maturity, and high-performance readiness.
The Young Achievers Tour has been created to give today's players the same life-changing opportunity — not just to grow as rugby league players, but to grow as young men and women.
Tour Itinerary
September 24 – October 9, 2027. Based in Canet-en-Roussillon, France with day trips across the region, finishing with a leg in Paris.
An overview only. Further activities may be added to the tour before the itinerary is finalised, and the program can be tailored to the objectives of the school and governing body. Enquire for the full day-by-day itinerary and daily schedule.
Everything Included
No hidden costs. The tour fee covers everything every athlete needs for a world-class experience.
Return Flights
Return international flights from Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport to Barcelona and home from Paris.
Accommodation
Malibu Village resort in Canet-en-Roussillon — apartments with kitchenettes, lounges, balconies, and 3 pools. B&B Hotel Malakoff in Paris.
Most Meals
All meals included while based in Canet. Daily meals covered until Paris. Breakfast included each morning in Paris.
All Transport
All European coach transport between cities, match venues, and cultural destinations throughout the tour.
Insurance
Full player travel and sports insurance coverage for the entire duration of the tour.
Six Fixtures
Six international fixtures across three double-header match days — Pia Donkeys, Carcassonne, and Toulouse Olympique. Three games per team.
Full Apparel
Complete on-field tour apparel plus a New Balance off-field apparel package for every player.
Video Analysis
Professional video analysis of matches with structured reviews and player development feedback sessions.
Cultural Activities
Go karting, Barcelona, Euro Disney Paris, Carcassonne, Toulouse, Perpignan, Collioure, and swim sessions at the Olympic pool Piscine Europa.
Heard from Past Participants
Participating in this tour at the age of 16 was my first time overseas and an experience I've never forgotten. Playing rugby league against local French teams was incredibly valuable for my development, exposing me to a different style of play and challenging me at a critical stage as a young player.
Beyond rugby, the tour helped build confidence, independence, perspective, and teamwork — and the friendships formed along the way continue to influence how I operate in my business career today.
I had the privilege of going on the Young Achievers Rugby League Tour when I was 16 years old. To this day, I still cherish the memories from that experience.
The tour was so much more than just rugby league. It gave me the opportunity to play alongside athletes from across the state and taught me invaluable lessons about teamwork, leadership, and respect. Travelling internationally at that age built my confidence, independence, and resilience.
The Young Achievers tour was a defining experience in both my sporting journey and personal development.
Taking part in a two-week rugby league tour to France as a young Australian player was life-changing. Playing against French teams, experiencing the culture, and building friendships that still last today shaped me both on and off the field.
That tour became the starting point of my professional journey, leading to over a decade playing Super League with the Catalans Dragons. More than a tour — it was an experience that changed my life.
I did the Young Achievers tour when I was 16 — almost 20 years ago — and it's still one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
Playing footy was only part of it. The trip opened my eyes to the world, let me experience new cultures, and helped create lifelong memories and friendships. Being opened up to this at such a young age genuinely shaped who I am today.
The Young Achievers Tour I was fortunate to be a part of in 2006 was full of life experiences and memories that I still reflect fondly on today. Brought about by the vision of the great Tas Baitieri, the tour afforded a passionate group of teenage rugby league players the opportunity to travel and play abroad in a unique environment.
The touring party was a combination of players from the city and rural areas of all different backgrounds and we soon struck up friendships that last to this day. Combined with incredible off-field opportunities like climbing the Eiffel Tower, walking the Champs-Élysées and exploring the Louvre — the Young Achievers tour will always be a highlight of my rugby league journey.
Today
Secure Your Place on Tour
To maintain elite standards, player welfare, and personalised development, the tour is strictly capped at 36 participants. Places will fill fast — this is a genuinely limited opportunity.
The all-inclusive tour fee covers return international flights, all accommodation, most meals, European transport, insurance, match fees, training sessions, video analysis, full tour apparel, and all cultural activities. Enquire today and Jason will talk you through the current pricing and payment options.
📞 Tour Information
Contact Jason on 0433 119 584 for all information surrounding the tour.
Register Your Interest
Fill out the form below and Jason will be in touch personally. Places are strictly limited to 36 players — don't wait.
Tour Information
For all information surrounding the tour — including safety, supervision, accommodation, meals, insurance, and payments — please get in touch directly.
Contact Jason on 0433 119 584 for all information surrounding the tour.
Player Registration Form
Complete the form below to register interest in the 2027 Young Achievers Rugby League Tour — as a parent, a school or a rugby league club. Jason will follow up within 48 hours to confirm your registration and discuss next steps.