Our 2010/11 academy side will make history next month by becoming the first girls’ team to represent the club at the prestigious Super Cup NI.
The annual tournament attracts teams from all over the world and has featured players over the years who have gone on to be world-class stars within the sport including Paul Scholes, David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Back in 2022, the decision was made to introduce a girls’ programme into the tournament schedule with a Premier (U16s) and Junior (U13s) section. The announcement was met with a great response with many seeing it as a positive for the women’s game here in Northern Ireland and afar.
This year’s tournament will kick off on Sunday 21st July, with the traditional parade and opening ceremony. Action will then take place throughout the week before finals day on Friday 26th July which will take place at Dixon Park, the home of Ballyclare Comrades, for those in the girls’ section of the tournament.
The draw for the group stages of the tournament were made towards the end of last month, with our 2010/11 side, managed by Peter and Mollie Gilmore, pitted against Crusaders, NE Rush (USA) and Surf Select (USA).
Looking ahead to the tournament, assistant manager and girls academy director at the club, Mollie Gilmore said:
“I’m really excited for the girls; it’ll be their first time together at a tournament and there’s no better place to start than the Super Cup NI.
“With it being the first girls’ team to represent the club at the tournament, myself and Peter want to make sure that the team set good standards both on and off the pitch for the younger teams in the academy to look up to and aspire to be.
“Primarily, the main focus of the tournament for us will be to make sure that the girls are enjoying playing together and bonding as a team. It will be a great experience for them playing against sides like Surf Select and NE Rush, who have travelled all the way over from America for the tournament.”
