Bringing sport to new fans

11:42am Tuesday 6th June 2006

AS THE nation becomes gripped by World Cup fever, a junior politician is hoping to get more young people into rugby.

Lewisham Young Mayor Wilf Petherbridge is planning to organise a rugby tournament for youngsters this summer.

The competition is part of the mayor's manifesto of five pledges, which was published earlier this month.

Wilf, 15, hopes the rugby tournament will open the sport up to a wider audience.

He said: "Rugby is seen by a lot of people as a white, middle-class sport.

"I think it would be great to get more kids from different backgrounds into it."

The tournament is due to take place in the summer although no date or venue has yet been decided.

Each year the Young Mayor gets £25,000 to spend on five pledges to improve the lives of young people in the borough.