The Background
Lions in Pink are six former Royal Engineers who all served together in the British Army. Each one of us has different memories when it came to watching international rugby tours and of course our favourite, hence the name Lions in Pink. No matter where we were in the world, We were all able to watch the tests on the goggle box, and more often than not we were fortunate to have a beer in our hands. Unfortunately due mostly to operational commitments, none of us were able to take in the epicness of an actual tour experience. So, for two of us (Andy & Stu) a pact was made, that once their service was completed, they would travel and watch the mighty roar tour.
Fast Forward to 2017, New Zealand. Andy and Stu Embark on an Epic 6 week tour of the North and South Islands, with Pink Suits in hand.
“Why Pink Suits you say”? Andy can be quoted as “We have all been to plenty of events and matches over the years and one thing is clear, there are thousands of us who are pretty faceless in the crowd, all loyal and proud wearing our teams colours, but pretty faceless none the less. The ones who stood out were the rugby clubs, Vet’s teams and touring clubs, who brought their rugby social activity to the match or tour. After years of planning and a trip half way around the world, I didn’t want to be another faceless Lions supporter. I wanted to meet as many Lions and Kiwi supporter’s as I possibly could and for some reason, I thought wearing the brightest suit imaginable would do the job. It soon proved that I had massively underestimated the power of a pink suit.”
Whilst touring, three more Lions in Pink turned up in the guise of Dave, Jason and Heath, with Scott grumbling back in Blighty planning his SA 2021 trip in his mind during every game. An epic adventure occurred from camper vans to lost Welsh men. Hospitality of the highest order to humbling generosity. The tour was made and the Lions in Pink Solidified for future tours. We agreed on South Africa 2021 one day in Wellington, and the rest is yet to be written.
ABOUT US
The Concept is Born in Wellington N.Z.
So it was, after talking with a multitude of fans and ex pat tourists, forming a lasting friendships with so many Kiwi's and tourists alike, that we found a lot of fans paying a serious amount of money to follow the tour, and not really getting the rugby style tour mentality they in most cases craved.
Every where we went people wanted to talk to us, party with us and have a craic, why couldn’t we provide that sort of tour environment. All of us had at various points organised and transported people across the globe, and we knew how to look after these people. Whether it on operations or more civil trips such as diving in South Africa or Snowboarding in Austria. We have the skills to move and organise people, we knew we could make a great tour. So we went for it Lions in Pink as an idea was formed In Wellington, N.Z. 2017
Choosing Lions in Pink
What will Lions in Pink Tours do for you
Lions in Pink Tours will fly you out of the U.K. via various commercial aircraft and into your tour location. Safe Movement through the country following the tour as it travels through the length and breadth of the host nation, collecting memories, collectables and friends as we progress.
The Lions in Pink Tour group will travel collectively or in small groups and rendezvous (RV) for particular events or indeed if you fancy skipping an RV and meet at the next one. The choice is all yours.
The LIPT tour team travelling with you, will direct and facilitate all elements of your move from location to location ensuring that there is always a focal point that communicates and directs all elements with little effort from you the tourist, other than getting to the RV on-time….
Our Mission
Lions in Pink Tours will become synonymous with the Rugby spectacle in each of the host nations tours and be seen as the first line of focused fun and enjoyment by the entire rugby family travelling, as well as the host nation supporters. We will set the standard and along with many other Lions fans ensure that we create the loudest roar that our players deserve. Don’t forget if you want kangaroo courts, fines and flash cards you can participate as much or as little as you wish.
Our Purpose
Travelling Rugby Supporters banding together for a rugby tour is the most dynamic and fun filled experience possible. The unity and camaraderie that will be enjoyed will create memories to last an eternity.
Our How
A group of like minded supporters out for the pure fun of it all, sharing the thrills and expectations, highs and lows; mixing with the locals and embracing the South African Rugby culture, environment and spectacles.
Your Why
A barrage of new friendships, memories of explosive and exhilarating experiences will abound and the Lions in Pink will depart each host nation having had the most spectacular rugby supporter’s tour ever.
It's upto you!
Book a place and get a seat for the ride of a lifetime, pay a deposit to secure your spot, rehearse some rugby songs and be prepared. Come and join us for a rugby adventure that you won’t forget and you will want to repeat, time and time again.
Lions In Pink Team
Who are Lions in Pink?
Lions in Pink Tours are made up of 6 former British Army lads who all served together in the Royal Engineers at various points in our careers, with over 135 years service between us.
During our careers as we rose through the ranks, we regularly organised and executed international travel plans for the movement of personnel and equipment along with all the logistics that this entails. It was during this time our attention to detail in the planning and execution was learned and finely tuned.
The team prides itself on our organisation and planning, along with a huge amount of overseas experience in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, USA, Canada, Europe and more. This experience will ensure that whilst your having fun, your safety is also being looked after.
We have brought together a team whose aim is to provide you with an amazing experience on tour, that will fit your budget and along the way, create the most enjoyable and lasting memories we can. We plan to focus on having lots of laughs along the way with numerous social days/nights planned in during the tour.
Stu James
Favourite Sport - Rugby and Ballet
Favourite Position - Centre
Best Sporting Moment - Lifting the Rugby World Cup
Best Sporting Memory- New Zealand Tour 2017
Stu works in the Improvised Explosive Devise Threat Mitigation field working with the U.N. in Somalia and Ethiopia. A lifelong Rugby Fan and still a player, he is highly recognisable with his flaming beard and distinctive Laugh, Stu will ensure your trip to SA is a fantastic one.
Andy Walton
Favourite Sport - Snowboarding & Kitesurfing, Rugby & Football
Favourite Position - Full Back
Best Sporting Moment -
Being in Istanbul watching Liverpool FC win the Champions League
Best Sporting Memory -
Taking my daughters to the Rugby World Cup Final in Paris (even though we lost)
Andy Currently works offshore around the world as a commercial deep sea
diver. Brought up on football for the majority of his life following Liverpool & England both Home & Away. He made his crossover to a rugby fan after
seeing how fans should behave interacting and socialising with each other
regardless of the result. It was during a pre-Lions game social in Wellington, NZ. that his idea to extend the invitation to other Lions fans and create the Lions in Pink Tour came about.
David Johnston
Favourite Sport - Moto GP and International Rugby
Favourite Position - Loosehead prop
Best Sporting Moment - Six Nations Grand Slam in 2003
Best Sporting Memory- New Zealand Tour 2017
David is a former Construction Engineer and Project Manager, who has worked in Travel since 2011, he has managed and created websites for Virgin Holidays, Travelbag, Holiday Collections, Travelcitydirect, and many more.
David was recently Head of Online Trading at Virgin Holidays before moving onto their U.S. Branch Virgin Vacations. Having also worked with such companies as Skyscanner and Travelsupermarket, he is all too familiar with the right holiday at the right price for your budget and is here to make sure you get the best holiday we can offer.
Heath Byron
Favourite Sport - Rugby & Surfing
Favourite Position - Centre, & staying upright on a board
Best Sporting Moment - Seeing the expression on both my son's faces when they achieve in sport
Best Sporting Memory-
Springboks World cup win in 1995
Heath is the African Boy in the Lions in Pink crew; born in Zimbabwe and educated in South Africa he’s the home grown element of the group. The African export has lived, travelled and partied in many countries so brings the international flavour to the management.
A Bomb Disposal Engineer by trade he is linked to the team through decades of working with them all; although he took off for Australia after years of living in the UK and Europe. Torn between land based fun and waterborne sport there is always time for fun - he loves life and everything is a glass half full rather than half empty. Heath has extensive knowledge of the South African turf, playing paddocks and nocturnal habits of the locals so will ensure that you are hosted and taken care of at all times.
Jason Dempsey
Favourite Sport - Rugby
Favourite Position - In the stand, quenching my thirst
Best Sporting Moment - New Zealand 2017
Best Sporting Memory- 2003 World Cup, Watched in the Sergeants Mess, Brunei
Jase currently works as a Subcontractor to the United Nations Office of Project Services (UNOPS) as the Senior Programme Consultant.
Jase has a wide range of experience in the Tourist industry formerly owning his own Charter company in Mallorca.
A widely traveled person with good knowledge of South Africa and its watering holes & culture!!!
Scott Willson
Favourite Sport - Rugby
Favourite Position - No.8
Best Sporting Moment - Six Nations Grand Slam in 2003
Best Sporting Memory- My Son the Swim Champ