Young Black Cats ready to rock the Bridge

Pupils from St Bede's Catholic Comprehensive and Easington Colliery Primary schools are heading to Stamford Bridge to compete in a prestigious national football tournament.

Both teams overcame schools from across the North East to book their places as Sunderland AFC's representatives at the Premier League Schools Tournament national finals.

Reigning champions St Bedes, who won under 13s competition at Goodison Park last year, will hope to retain their crown after narrowly defeating St Wilfrids RC College at the Academy of Light earlier this week.

Joining the girls at the home of European giants Chelsea will be Easington Colliery who will compete in the under 11 mixed tournament following a big win over Tanfied School in the under 11s mixed regional final.

The girls have done exceptionally well in the qualifiers and it's great for them to be going down to Chelsea to defend their title. There has been some tough competition in the first round and of course against St Wilfrids here in the final.

Gemma Brown, PE Teacher at St Bedes

The Premier League Schools Tournament increases participation in football for boys and girls, and offers schools nationwide the chance to team up with their local Premier League club.

One of the highlights of the Premier League Communities calendar the competition allows hundreds of youngsters the chance to experience the thrill of being treated like a top-flight footballer.

Created to increase participation in football, each of the 20 Barclays Premier League clubs stage their own competition to select schools to represent them on finals day, with thousands of players battling out for a place in the national finals.

The teams will prepare in the same dressing rooms as world class players such as Eden Hazard and Diego Costa; wear Sunderland AFC's famous red and white stripes; come out of the tunnel to the official Premier League anthem; play on the same pitch; and have top-flight referees such as Martin Atkinson and Andre Marriner officiate their matches.

You can follow St Bedes and Easington Colliery day at Stamford Bridge and keep up to date with all the action at @SAFCFoL on Twitter and using the hashtag #plschools.