A BID to bring international Rugby League World Cup games to the Tees Valley in 2021 has been officially kicked off by a 15-year-old schoolboy.

Matty Lynn, a hooker with junior rugby league team Yarm Wolves, took part in a stunt in the shadow of Middlesbrough's Transporter Bridge in which he booted a ball roughly in the direction of the famous landmark.

However he appeared not to be directly aiming at the beam of the bridge – which incidentally is 160ft high when above the road – presumably to avoid the ball ending up in the River Tees.

The teenager, whose favourite player is Sam Burgess, said: “I would love it to have the World Cup up here.”

His dad Pete, a secretary at the club, which only began last year and now has four teams, added: “The World Cup would be fantastic for the North-East.

"It would give it a higher profile here and help grow the grassroots game.”

If successful, the bid could give the region an economic boost of up to £8m and attract visitors from across the world.

It includes a proposal to host group games and a semi-final, as well as provide a base for the Australian national team.

The submission highlights "exceptional" potential venues including Middlesbrough FC's Riverside Stadium and The Northern Echo Arena, in Darlington, used by Mowden Park RFC, along with Rockliffe Hall, which has hosted international sporting teams.

In 2015 Mowden Park held an open day for the New Zealand All Blacks which attracted thousands of schoolchildren and saw the club praised for its "outstanding" facilities.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, a former rugby player himself and Leeds Rhinos fan, said: "We have produced an excellent application that explains why we would be a great fit to host the Rugby League World Cup and spread its message.

“They [the World Cup organisers] have been really supportive and love the fact this is a region wide bid, not a single town or city.

"A few years ago very few people in the area would have even thought about bidding for something like this, but we have got a very good bid which we think could be successful.

"We’re doing our bit and now it’s down to everyone in the Tees Valley to show their support to bring this world-class event to our area."

Dave Budd, Mayor of Middlesbrough, said: “This is a huge chance to showcase Tees Valley as a vibrant, modern, cultural hotspot to a global audience.

"Securing games in this top-quality competition will mark us out as the place to be and, by capturing the region’s community spirit, will help rugby league grow.”

Mark Ellis, from Middlesbrough Football Club, said: “We have the excellent resources and facilities necessary to host international games of this size with a successful track record in hosting Team GB before the 2012 Olympics and a number of England U21 international games. "However, we are confident that it is the passionate people of Tees Valley that will get behind the tournament and make it a lasting success with a strong legacy.”

Lee Rust, managing director at Darlington Mowden Park, said: “The club has a proven record of welcoming international teams from across the world with open arms.

“New Zealand All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen sung the praises of our outstanding facilities when Mowden Park played host to the All Blacks on their way to winning the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

"This bid gives us another perfect opportunity to highlight not just the Arena, but also the North-East.”

• To show your support for the bid and to find out more visit www.enjoyteesvalley.com/rugby and use the hashtag #BackTheBid and #TeesValley2021 on social media.

The Tees Valley Combined Authority is giving away free rugby balls and shirts in a competition running until the end of the month. To have a chance of winning send a tweet on Twitter to @teesvalleyca using #TeesValley2021 and explain why you are backing the bid.