The International Association of Lions Clubs of the British Isles and Ireland are now inviting registrations for their 2008-09 International Five Nations Youth Football Competition.

Any U14 boys team playing in its local league and affiliated to its County FA can represent their local Lions Club in this special competition.

In England, Scotland and Wales it is for boys under the age of 14 as at 1 September year. In both the Republic and Northern Ireland there is a similar competiton too and the tournament organisers plan for the winners of each competition to meet each other.

This gives those eligible boys, who must belong to a bona fide football club, or school team, affiliated to the appropriate FA, the opportunity to play against teams they may never have heard of from all over the United Kingdom, with the Northern and Southern Semi-Finals and then the National Final being played at a prestigious professional stadium.

Previous semi-finals have even been refereed by a leading former Premier League referee, Mr. Dermot Gallagher, with Championship and League Referee, Graham Scott, in charge of the final held at Port Vale FC. This season's final, which takes place on Saturday 24 May 2008, will be held at the home of Rushden & Diamonds, Nene Park.

If your boys' football club becomes sponsored by your local Lions Club, you may well get help with the costs of travelling to away games, or help with the costs involved in staging a home game, like paying for match officials and refreshments after the game. Lions might even pay for overnight accommodation on the evening of the Final!

However the competition also welcomes youth football clubs to independently enter their teams if they prefer.

Are you and your team up for the challenge? Call 0121 441 4544 for more information, and the chance to enter in season 2008/9.

Alternatively, ask your youth football team manager to contact the HQ at: Lions Clubs International, 257 Alcester Road South, Kings Heath, Birmingham, B14 6DT or by email to mdhq@lions.org.uk.

There are over 900 Lions Clubs throughout the UK and, through their youth programmes, each is dedicated to providing challenges and opportunities for youngsters that they would not otherwise enjoy.

More information can be found at www.lions.org.uk