As the whistle blows on the final of the Euros 2024 all attention turns to the Foyle Cup, the flagship sporting event in the North West. Our campuses in Derry~Londonderry and Coleraine offer a hattrick of support to the event each year by hosting the annual parade, use of our pitches and participants staying in our accommodation. This year, we are also proud sponsors of the U17 and U19 categories, underpinning the range of activities and support we are offering local grassroots clubs in the region.
The annual parade, traditionally hosted on a Tuesday, kicked off the tournament’s week of events at our Derry~Londonderry campus on Monday 15 July. Thousands of local, national and international players, coaches and parents gathered at the iconic Martha Magee building before departing on the parade route through the city, finishing in the Guildhall square. The campus was a wash of colour with all the team kits from across the globe, representing the reach that the tournament brings to the region.
Dr Nigel Dobson, Head of Sports Services, Ulster University commented,
“This is the first year that the parade has opened the tournament and there was a buzz of excitement and anticipation for what the week ahead will bring. Grassroots sport is vital for the health and well-being of our young people and we understand the value of tournaments such as this to give them an opportunity to showcase all their hard work and dedication to the sport. At Ulster University we collaborate and engage with our local community and grass root sports clubs through support initiatives including use of our sports facilities, summer camps and cross community tournaments.”
The Foyle Cup continues to break records with this year welcoming upwards of 740 teams, an increase on the 588 teams who entered last year. This year is set to the be the most popular iteration of the youth tournament yet. According to the Visit Derry website, over 250,000 spectators are expected to attend, and teams will be coming from the UK, Republic of Ireland, Canada, America, China, and mainland Europe.
Philip Devlin, Derry & District Youth FA PRO for O’Neills Foyle Cup commented,
“It is a real privilege for our association to be organising this cross community, international, youth soccer tournament and it is a pleasure to work with and be supported by our institutes of Education, Ulster University, North West Regional College, our local colleges and schools. We thank all of them for their support, for without this, we would not be able to cater for the 13,000 plus young people competing in our tournament, with almost 1000 of them experiencing campus life for the 6 days of the event - many of them we hope will return to undertake University courses in our city and district.”
Steven Scroggie, Eglinton Eagles Club Secretary commented,
“ We are delighted to participate in the annual Foyle Cup parade and tournament. As a small cross community, grassroots football club it’s a great opportunity for our players to compete against clubs across the region and beyond. The players love the social element of the Foyle Cup especially the parade, from the buzz of excitement at Ulster University’s campus to all the people and media, taking photos and interviewing them, that line the streets to offer support and well wishes, ahead of a busy week.”
The Foyle Cup tournament is taking place from Monday 15 July to Saturday 20 July. Keep up to date with the live fixtures as the week develops.