The draw for the girls’ section of the 2023 SuperCupNI took place at the home of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council on Thursday evening and the class of 2023 will hope to follow in the footsteps of one of the guests who assisted with the draw.
Emily Wilson was part of the Northern Ireland side that created history last summer as they made their debut at a major championship, which was won by hosts England in that dramatic final last summer at Wembley.
The Glentoran striker burst onto the scene at the tournament in 2017, scoring against Wales in two challenge matches and the NI international said she was delighted to see the girls’ section continuing to go from strength to strength.
“Playing in the tournament was a real coup and taking part in the parade and seeing all the teams from across the world was an incredible experience.
“It was great to see teams from across the globe playing in the girls’ section last summer and it is fantastic to see the growth of the girls’ section and I hope it continues to go from strength to strength.”
The girls’ section will be played at venues across the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and twelve teams will participate across two age groups, six teams in the Junior (U14) section and six in the Premier (U16 section).
In the Junior section, local clubs Linfield FC and Crusaders FC will get the chance to test themselves against some of the very best from the Republic of Ireland and the United States. The NI Football League duo are joined by Bohemians FC from Dublin, Surf Select, FC America and the USSSA Select from the United States of America.
In the Premier section, Northern Ireland are joined by Scottish giants Rangers FC, Dublin based outfit Shelbourne FC, Northeast Rush, FC America and Surf Select, all of whom hail from North America.
The 2023 tournament kicks off on Sunday 23rd July with the welcoming ceremony in Coleraine and concludes with finals day on Friday 28th July.
Matches will be played across three council areas, Causeway, Coast and Glens, Mid and East Antrim and Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council.
Junior Section fixtures:
Monday 24th July – USSSA Select v Bohemians, FC America v Linfield, Surf Select v Crusaders.
Tuesday 25th July – Linfield v Bohemians, Crusaders v FC America, Surf Select v USSSA Select.
Wednesday 26th July – Crusaders v Bohemians, Linfield v USSSA Select, FC America v Surf Select.
Premier Section fixtures:
Monday 24th July – Northern Ireland v FC America, Surf Select v Shelbourne, Northeast Rush v Rangers.
Tuesday 25th July – Northern Ireland v Northeast Rush, Surf Select v FC America, Shelbourne v Rangers.
Wednesday 26th July – Northern Ireland v Rangers, FC America v Shelbourne, Northeast Rush v Surf Select.