Street League graduates David Purdon, Paul McCarthy and Anwar Nouray

Your Game is a partnership with the Football Association, the Premier League, Kick it Out, the Football Foundation, Street League and the Professional Footballers' Association.

More than 2,000 male and female players aged between 16 and 25, who would not normally take part in sporting competitions, will play in the invitational five-a-side event.

Teams will be selected from a range of youth and community groups working with young people of all abilities.

VENUES/DATES 5 March: Birmingham 12 March: Newcastle 18 March: Manchester 26 March: Liverpool 1 April: Sheffield 5-6 April: London 8 April: Solent 14 May: Final, Newcastle

The tournament will have regional qualifiers in Newcastle, Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, Birmingham, Portsmouth/Southampton and London in March and April.

The finals will take place at Newcastle's St James' Park ground on 14 May.

It is hoped the event will encourage those who take part to eventually join teams affiliated to the FA.

It will also give them the chance to explore training opportunities in football and the media.

Sports Minister Richard Caborn said: "This is a fantastic idea, and really shows the power that sport has to engage and inspire.

Watch the BBC Your Game trail

"Your Game is an effective way to get people involved in football, reaching out to those in deprived communities who may not otherwise have the opportunity."

So far 100 different community groups have signed up for the initiative, which it is hoped will become an annual event.

BBC Regional News, the Community Channel and the BBC Sport website will report on the tournament as it develops.