RESPECTED sports writer, broadcaster and television presenter John Inverdale has issued a challenge to rugby clubs in the UK.

It is to go out to South Africa to lend a developing hand to struggling township clubs.

That sporting gauntlet has been picked up by Sedgley Park's under 16s squad.

They intend to visit Motherwell RUFC in Port Elizabeth (South Africa's third largest Township), formed in 1992 by a members of the local community concerned by the plight of the Township youth, faced with unemployment, poverty, illiteracy, Aids and HIV.

It runs three sections: Juniors, Ladies and Seniors.

In particular the juniors, under-13s, 15s and 18s, are essential to the continued success and growth of the club, as they go on to provide the bulk of the senior squad.

But the club does not own it's own ground and therefore has to hire a stadium in order to play fixtures.

Such is the shortage of cash that evening training sessions are sometimes only possible when illuminated by car headlights, as the club has to ration the electricity it uses.

Most of the players are students or unemployed and are unable to make away games, resulting in points being docked.

Due to the general lack of funds, the club struggles to clothe (kit and boots) its players, especially when all its teams are playing at the same time and at different venues.

At the moment it only has four sets of jerseys to cater for six teams.

The juniors and ladies currently share two sets, with the three senior teams sharing the other two. Most players also share boots.

Sedgley Park Under 16s have therefore decided to accept the challenge issued by John Inverdale.

They intend to embark on a social, cultural, educational and sporting tour of South Africa in August 2005, in particular to visit, forge links with, encourage, clothe and coach Motherwell RUFC and another township club, Tygerberg RFC in Cape Town, incorporating four matches in 13 days.

The cost of the trip for the 30-strong squad is £35,000, which needs to be raised over the next 12 months.

The boys and their parents have committed to an exhausting schedule of car boot sales, bag packing, car washes, sportsman's dinners, fashion shows, a Valentines ball and an Irish night to raise the funds.

In addition to training during the week and playing on Sundays, there is also the small matter of studying for GCSEs.

As Under 15s, last season was one of the squad's most successful, being one of three Sedgley junior teams to reach a Lancashire Cup final.

In addition, captain Martin Hazelwood represented Lancashire, while three others played for the Lancashire B squad, and a further 12 represented Greater Manchester.

To finance the trip to help bridge the sporting gap between between the haves and have-nots, the Sedgley youngsters are looking for contributions from individuals and businesses.

They would also welcome donations of kit to take with them.

If you can help, contact Stuart Khler on: 01257 423977, or 07835 792168. You can also E-mail him at: stuart.kohler@365web.co.uk