Nine communities across the country are to pilot the government's new Olympic and Paralympic-style school sports competition from early 2011.

Schools in London, Kent, Greater Manchester and North Yorkshire are among the areas to pilot the competition, which is to culminate in county finals during next summer. Hertfordshire, Lincolnshire, Tyne and Wear, the Black Country and Cornwall are the remaining five that will launch the initiative, which will feature a range of Olympic and Paralympic sports.

In addition to the county finals scheduled for summer 2011, young people are to compete within their schools and against others in a series of competitions that will lead to a national final in 2012. Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt said: "Win or lose - competitive sport teaches children important life lessons - in commitment, discipline and teamwork.

"Our new Olympic-style school sports competition will spark a revolution in school sport, and leave a lasting legacy from London's Games." The new competition form part of the government's efforts to leave a legacy from the 2012 Games, with national governing bodies to help finalise details for the scheme.