The mini tournament 10-15 March brings together teams from Spain, Belgium, Iceland and Northern Ireland, promising an exciting display of talent and competition.
The visitors have been taking full advantage of the Council’s first-class training facilities at Allen Park, Crumlin and Valley Leisure Centres, ensuring they are fully prepared for the sporting challenges ahead.
Off the pitch, the visiting nations have embraced the warm hospitality of Antrim and Newtownabbey, staying at three local hotels, enjoying the rich cultural experiences that the Borough has to offer. Their visit has also been a welcome boost to the local economy.
Deputy Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Rosie Kinnear commented,
“It is great to see yet another high-profile Women’s Football Tournament return to Northern Ireland and we are delighted that the visiting international teams chose to prepare, train and relax in our Borough.
The Council is proud to host the teams and support them in their preparation for the tournament. Their decision to utilise our facilities underscores the outstanding reputation of our sporting infrastructure.”
Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has hosted the Girls SuperCupNI tournament since its inception in 2022, reinforcing its commitment to supporting Girls’ sport.
The Deputy Mayor hosted a special welcome reception for the players, coaches, and managers of the participating teams, further extending Antrim and Newtownabbey's warm hospitality as the Host Destination for the Women’s UEFA Under-16s Development Tournament.
Angela Platt, Director of Women’s Football at the Irish Football Association, said:
“We would like to thank Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council for hosting our international visitors. We really do appreciate the Council’s support and we are confident the teams from Belgium, Iceland and Spain will enjoy their stay in both the Borough and Northern Ireland.
The tournament will be a tough challenge for our young players but also an amazing opportunity to expose them to high quality competition and better prepare them for future international representation.”