Three York primary schools, a Premiership referee, and Sports Minister Richard Caborn are set to take the World Cup by storm tomorrow - not in the Far East, but in Huddersfield.

The Sporting Chance World Cup, sponsored by Yorkshire Water, will see 32 primary schools from around the region go head-to-head in a massive six-a-side football tournament.

Following the same format as the FIFA World Cup starting next, all participating schools will represent a nation competing in the real tournament, with players wearing the official replica shirts of their chosen country.

The three York schools will represent the following nations: Woodthorpe Primary School will be Tunisia; Wheldrake School will be Italy; Sherburn Hungate Primary School will play as Nigeria

All players will be presented with a medal and Yorkshire Water has ensured that all players can keep their replica shirts after the tournament.

Special guest at the event will be the Sports Minister Richard Caborn, who will be there to cheer on all 32 schools playing in the tournament and and to referee

a quarter-final match, starting at 2.40pm.

Football celebrities from past and present are also expected to attend, including Premiership referee Steven Lodge, who officiated at the 1997 FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Middlesbrough.

Lodge will take charge of the Sporting Chance World Cup Final.

The Sporting Chance initiative was launched in May 2000. The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of the importance of school sport and the benefits of sport for all children.

This year the campaign is sponsored by Yorkshire Water, who are co-ordinating tomorrow's tournament.

Kevin Whiteman, Yorkshire Water's Managing Director said: "We expect the Sporting Chance World Cup to be an exciting and enjoyable event, and I am sure our teams will play with as much passion and good spirit as will be seen in the Far East.

"Let's hope this is just the first taste of World Cup action that our

young players get. You never know, in 2012 we could be cheering on some of these players in the FIFA World Cup."

Kicking off at Huddersfield's Syngenta sports complex at 10am, the tournament will involve primary schools teams from all over the North of England.

Many schools are already planning cross-curricular activities towards the big day.

Matt Cusden, a teacher at Woodthorpe Primary School, said: "The children are really excited to be representing Tunisia and are ready to cause a World Cup giant-killing by lifting the trophy."

Updated: 12:05 Friday, May 24, 2002