Last updated 11:47, Tuesday, 09 September 2008

WEST Cumbria Under-18s kick off their inaugural Gillette National Youth League campaign against Saddleworth Rangers on Sunday – with a little help from Whitehaven and Workington Town.

The National League clubs have offered to host the new outfit’s home games.

In addition to West Cumbria, new sides from Wales and London have entered the competition, which comprises 20 regular season rounds, leading to a top-six play-off and a Grand Final on Sunday, April 19. Kick-off at Derwent Park is at 1.30pm on Sunday.

The road to international selection for Under-18s starts at Cumbria Sports Academy, in Whitehaven, on Sunday, September 28, when Copeland, Allerdale, Barrow and the North-East meet in a regional festival.

Top performers will progress to a national carnival in Rochdale on October 18, where they will represent the North.

And from this event, the Great Britain Community Lions will emerge.