Wrexham: Rathbone 'grateful' for chance on Down Under Tour
Phil Parkinson's side will play games in Australia against Melbourne Victory on July 11 and Sydney FC on July 15, and Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand on July 19.
The Reds' party flew out yesterday and it is a trip that Rathbone is looking forward to.
"This is what is special about being part of this club," said the 28-year-old.
"Not just being part of the community and working with the staff and the players but to get this type of opportunity.
"There are not many clubs, especially in the Football League, that get an opportunity like this so I am incredibly grateful."
Rathbone joined Wrexham from Rotherham United for a then club record transfer fee days before the 2024-25 League One campaign kicked off.
He missed out on the club's second pre-season tour to America but he says the trip Down Under will make up for that.
"I never did America because I signed just before the season started so this is my first pre-season trip with Wrexham, and it is a good one," he said.
"The furthest I have been in pre-season is Tenerife and Croatia.
"I am really excited to go out there and experience it.
"It is pinch yourself stuff, it is incredible to get the chance to do this.
"As a player, that is why it is so great to be here at this moment in time.
"It is a club that is really on the up and you get to experience really special things."
Wrexham are preparing for the new Championship campaign having secured an historic third successive promotion last term when the Reds finished runners-up in League One.
They might only be friendlies but Rathbone views them as crucial in the build-up to the new season which starts with a clash against Southampton at St Marys on Saturday August 9.
"I don't really know much about the A-League but another fantastic experience for us," he said.
"They are all games that we will take very seriously because we are preparing for a big campaign ahead of us.
"With this manager and this squad of players, we know the standards we have set and we know what a really good Wrexham side looks like.
"It is all about building yourself up, and making sure you are ready for the first game of the season."
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It has been an eventful summer for Rathbone on the back of a successful first campaign at The Racecourse when he played his part in the latest promotion and won the Player of the Season award.
"I had a fantastic summer," said Rathbone. "It couldn't have gone any better.
"We won promotion, then the great trip away with the lads (to Las Vegas), I got married and went on honeymoon to the Amalfi Coast where we had a really good time so perfect."
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