More than 150 young footballers will take to the Vicarage Road pitch tomorrow, as part of a nationwide scheme to kick out knife crime.

The Kickz programme, backed by the Football Foundation, Premier League and police, will raise awareness of their “It doesn't have to happen” campaign by staging 12 regional football tournaments across the country.

Teams from Watford, Chelsea, Brentford, Fulham and QPR's own Kickz programmes will compete tomorrow for the chance to qualify for the finals at Derby County's Pride Park and Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium.

Kickz works with 39 professional football clubs and more than 21,000 young people to build “safer, stronger, more respectful communities”.

The “It doesn't have to happen” campaign was launched by the Home Office, and aims to educate young people about the consequences of knife crime.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: “We all have a role to play in stopping the minority of young people carrying knives and getting weapons off our streets. That is why I am delighted to be working with the Football Foundation's Kickz projects to give young people the opportunity to feel confident, make the right choices and say no to knives.”