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Following Superman’s £1000 donation at the start of 1986 inviting the club to reciprocate their visit to BARFC by joining them in Tokyo a decision was made to make this visit as part of an ambitious World Tour. A subcommittee was set up with David Perry of CVT, Kevan Tee another experienced Travel Agent, Club Chairman Phil Rees and Patron and Committee member David Williams to the fore, but greatly helped by enthusiastic volunteers, began organising and fundraising for the event.

The two David’s were mainly responsible for organising the fundraising including 2 Golf Days, Lotto, Dances, Sponsored Supermarket packing, Sweeps. Sponsored walks and Donations including £1200 from Club Treasurer Barrie Morris. These efforts raised an average of £700 each person towards the £1600 a person cost of the trip.

 Kevan Tee sorted the agreed travel arrangements for the countries Hong Kong, Tokyo, Honolulu, and Los Angeles proposed to visit. Phil then organised any hosting including with Superman in Tokyo and the 4 games being played in the various countries visited.                     

Following this 2-year monumental effort a party of 46 in 1988 flew form Gatwick to Hong Kong on Cathay Pacific via Dubai. Big Dai Williams got so drunk; he went around the plane with his hat asking for tips to give to the crew, just like being on tour and collecting for the bus driver.

 Then it was Hong Kong to Tokyo via Seoul on Korean Airways. Tokyo to Honolulu on Korean, Honolulu to Los Angeles on Korean. Los Angeles to London on BA. They visited Macau and China and a day trip to Tijuana in Mexico

 The Ath played a first and seconds match against Superman RFC, a 1^st game against Lei Rhinos, Hawaii and a 1^sts game against Belmont Shore winning all games.

All hosts made the Athletic welcome. Superman especially pushed out the boat with both formal and informal events as well as putting out two teams against the Athletic, and in 2000-2001 returned to the Athletic on a very momentous occasion involving a wedding and a funeral which will be discussed in the appropriate history section.

In Hawaii post-match the club enjoyed an open air hog roast with the pig roasted in a pit in the ground – see pics section. Also, the splendid beach is illustrated.

Some memorable incidents:

 Ronnie Webb threw away his chop stick and demanded a knife and fork when eating a meal in China. Eifion Owen ran out of a restaurant in Hong Kong without eating. He did not like the sweet and sour pigeon heads. Mal Jelfs smoked a cigar in the steam room in the hotel in Hong Kong. Alan and Irene Jones went to Mexico twice in the same day. Dai James played a spaceman in Hollywood Studios.

The Japanese at that time could not believe the tattoos Gareth Knill had as they were normally attributed to a criminal. The lads ran around Tokyo in the middle of the night in their Japanese dressing gowns and slippers. When stopped by the police, all the police wanted was a photo of them.

On a ferry from Macau to Hong Kong, Michael, David’s 4-year-old son shouted out, No Sleeping on Tour, much to the annoyance of the Chinese. Gareth Knill thought Hawaii was the best place he had ever been to, despite not leaving the hotel. The Chinese thought Mike Evans was a Buddha.

In Hawaii Gary Dalton and Tony Griffiths were drivers of jeeps hired for an off-road experience, Unfortunately, Tony hit a post in a petrol station set up to protect the pumps. The bumper was forced against the tyres rendering the jeep immobile. The petrol station had a bar, so while Gary and Tony set out in the hot sun to find a rope to pull out the bumper their passengers sipped cold beers. Tim Wood had paid for the hire of the jeeps on his credit card so was apprehensive when returned. Some astute parking right up against a wall hid the dented bumper much to Tim’s relief.

 Most of Tour Party:-David, Pat, James, and Michael Perry, Brian, Sheena, and Rachel Lewis, Eileen David plus partner, Graham Glendinning and wife, David Jones and wife, David and Jayne James, Alan and Irene Jones, Martin and Mike Miller, Ronne Webb, Phil Rees, Pedro,, Stuart Thomas, Tim Wood, Keri Beer, Tony Griffiths David Phillips, Gareth Knill, Mike Evans, Kelvin Leyshon, Kevan Tee, Gary Dalton, David Williams, Malcolm Jelfs, Graham Phillips, Barry Kenworthy, Haydn Lewis, Tony Nott, Peter Gaytten, Steve Piliiner, Ed, Tog