RUGBY'S young stars want to take their skills down under but need £25,000 to do so.

Players at the Oxford Cavaliers Rugby League Club (OCRLC) in Botley are trying to raise funds to allow them to visit the Australia, for a tour next year.

Leading the fundraiser is John Connaughton, head of youth development at the club, who believes the youngsters need a positive experience through sport to keep them active.

He hopes that the under-16s, under-14s and under-12s squads will be able to take part in the sporting event.

The PE teacher at Bartholomew School in Eynsham said: "We are currently the only amateur rugby league club in Oxfordshire and over the past five years it has been my aim to develop a youth section.

"We now have an under-16s squad, an under-14s squad and an under-12s development squad ready to compete in 2018.

"As a youngster growing up in Oldham [Greater Manchester] I had a second education outside of school and this was through rugby league.

"It gave me an opportunity to socialise and meet new people, kept me active and taught me how to lead a healthy life as well as teaching me discipline with training and playing within the rules during match days.

"As a secondary school PE teacher I see technology becoming more and more important in youngsters' lives and this is having a huge impact on their health and fitness, so I want to give these youngsters all the opportunities I had while growing up."

Mr Connaughton hopes the tour will ignite a fresh passion in his players with a view to continue playing for longer.

He added: "There are many young children at rugby union clubs in Oxfordshire and because of the large numbers at clubs they are eventually lost to the game if they are seen as not being good enough to take the next step.

"This is a real shame and is seen quite often at about the age of 16 or 18.

"This is the age when players can become disengaged and be lost from the game.

"I believe my players have the ability to go as far as they want to in the game and want them to experience elite level rugby league and have the most memorable experience whilst doing so."

During the tour, the squad hopes to face Australian opposition as well as receiving some of the best coaching and education about the importance of nutritional and psychological sides of the game

To help support the team visit gofundme.com/oxford-cavs-youth-development-tour