Danvers, who finished third in the 400 metres hurdles in Beijing last year, fancies the chances of London South against teams representing Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, London North, Glasgow, Sheffield and the host city at the Cardiff International Arena on June 10.

 

Teams will consist of athletes who have a strong connection with the city they represent, plus each team will include two overseas “players.”

 

The mixed teams will compete for a share of the £75,000 prize pot over, what UK Athletics, claims will be a "dynamic, fast-paced format which incorporates 10 track and field events plus relays."

 

Danvers, who was born in Camberwell and went to school in Croydon but is now based in Los Angeles, said: “I love the idea of representing London South and to captain the team is just wicked.

 

"I’m really looking forward to getting it on with the rest of the city team in the Super8 competition.

 

"We are made of tough stuff in South London and I look forward to proving it on June 10.”

 

UK Indoor 800m champion Jenny Meadows was confirmed last week as the captain of Manchester, and more big names will be announced in the coming days.

 

From 2010, cities will bid for franchises and will work closely with clubs in their area to create each team.

 

The Super 8 format is also designed to be adopted by schools where the curriculum makes the staging of a full scale athletics matches increasingly difficult.

 

The two-hour format of Super 8 could be adopted for inter-class or inter-school competitions with boys and girls competing together in the same team. 

 

The pilot event in Cardiff will be preceded by a Super 8 schools pilot on the same day.