“On the Ball” with new multi-year partnership with uhlsport

SuperCupNI has announced a new five-year partnership with leading German football brand, uhlsport GmbH.

The new deal sees uhlsport continue as the official match ball and apparel partner for one of the world’s most renowned international youth football tournaments, following a hugely successful partnership in 2023.

The cutting-edge uhlsport ATTACK ADDGLUE FOR THE PLANET football will be used in each of the tournament’s 150 matches, ensuring the 66 elite girls’ and boys’ teams compete with the latest in eco-friendly sports technology.

uhlsport will also kit out the SuperCupNI’s network of volunteers and match official management team with an annual allocation of branded apparel including tracksuits, t-shirts, and jackets.

The new agreement reinforces uhlsport’s commitment to supporting international youth football and provides the manufacturer with a platform to develop partnerships with clubs and representative sides competing in the tournament.

The 2024 SuperCupNI is taking place from Sunday 21st to Friday 26th July with 66 elite girls’ and boys’ teams from around the world competing across five age groups. It will be held at various venues across Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.

The illustrious weeklong tournament will be contested by some of the world’s leading clubs including Manchester United, Brighton and Hove Albion, West Ham United, Celtic, Rangers, Club Deportivo Toluca, Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Pictured launching the new five-year partnership are budding young footballers Charlie McGowan (9) and Martin Houston (9) alongside Brian Hutchinson, uhlsport’s Sales Representative for Ireland and Scotland; Sean O’Neill, uhlsport GmbH Ambassador and SuperCupNI graduate and Sam Gamble, Tournament Management Team member at the SuperCupNI.

Victor Leonard, Chairman of SuperCupNI, said: “Following a hugely successful collaboration in 2023 during our 40th year, we’re delighted to extend our partnership with uhlsport for another five years.

“To secure the long-term commitment of a leading football brand of the calibre of uhlsport demonstrates our position as one of the most respected and competitive youth football tournaments in the world.

“We’re renowned for attracting top teams and providing a world-class platform for young footballers to excel and develop, and the introduction of uhlsport’s ATTACK ADDGLUE FOR THE PLANET football ensures they will play with the best eco-friendly equipment available.

“We look forward to working closely with the uhlsport team to further develop our partnership as we continue to grow the SuperCupNI, ensuring it remains at the pinnacle of youth football.”

uhlsport GmbH, established in 1948, is a German football brand committed to innovation, performance, and sustainability. Uhlsport equips athletes worldwide with products designed to enhance their performance and experience.

The brand has been the official ball supplier of the NI Football League (NIFL) since 2016 and in 2023 became the official match ball supplier to the Clearer Water Irish Cup.

Pictured launching the new five-year partnership is Brian Hutchinson, uhlsport’s Sales Representative for Ireland and Scotland; Sean O’Neill, uhlsport GmbH Ambassador and SuperCupNI graduate; and Sam Gamble, Tournament Management Team member at the SuperCupNI.

David Sanderson, Country Manager UK & Ireland of uhlsport GmbH, said: “We are thrilled to continue as the official match ball and apparel partner for the SuperCupNI. The tournament’s prestigious reputation and commitment to developing youth football align perfectly with our values at uhlsport.

“We are proud to support a tournament that brings together elite teams from around the world, and extending our partnership demonstrates our vision to provide these exceptional young footballers with the best equipment to shine on the world stage.

“We’re also excited to see the impact of our innovative ATTACK ADDGLUE FOR THE PLANET football on the SuperCupNI, as we align our passion for the sport with our responsibility to the environment.

“Good luck to all the teams competing in this year’s SuperCupNI. We look forward to watching the outstanding talent on show for what promises to be an exceptional tournament.”

The 2024 SuperCupNI will kick off with its traditional parade and opening ceremony on Sunday 21st July with the prestigious youth football tournament closing with Finals Day on Friday 26th July.

The SuperCupNI Cup Finals for the Boys’ Premier, Junior, and Minor sections will take place at the Coleraine Showgrounds, with the SuperCupNI Cup Finals for the Girls’ Premier and Junior sections taking place at Ballyclare Comrades’ Dixon Park.