The start of the Annual Yorkshire Challenge Trophy will begin on August 1st between Yorkshire Amateur and the Yorkshire Regiment, appropriately on Yorkshire Day.

It is the continuation of a close relationship between the two which began a couple of seasons ago when the regiment returned from Basra and came to Bracken Edge for a homecoming game.

Such was the success of the day it will now become a permanent pre-season fixture for Yorkshire Amateur.

A spokesperson for the club said: "We wanted to show our support for our local regiment and the hard work they do for us all and this seemed like the obvious way to do it.

"Ammas have long supported the army and have been lucky enough to have also been sponsored by them in previous years.

"This is about giving something back and we are honoured they have agreed to make this an annual game in our pre-season fixtures.

"We have also decided to donate the gate monies to the Yorkshire Regiment Benevolent Fund each year as, again, it will ensure both serving and ex-serving soldiers of the regiment will benefit directly from the game.

"We hope people will come along and support the teams in what I'm sure will be a great game"

As a warm up to this and as part of their pre-season Ammas have been invited to a team building day at York Barracks and will be put through their paces on the assault course and shooting range.

The first ever Yorkshire Challenge Trophy will kick-off at 7.30pm.