SuperCup NI proves 'girls can do what boys can do'

Ami and Lexi have red tops on and SuperCup NI lanyards. Both have their brown hair tied back in a ponytail and are standing at the seats by the football pitch.

Ami Mason and Lexi McGuinness played in the tournament with the Crusaders Strikers

Maria McCann
BBC News NI

A 13 year-old footballer has said the SuperCup NI tournament has proven "girls can do what boys can do".

The tournament is now in its 42nd year but this is only the fourth year there has been a separate girls' tournament.

Teams from across the world are competing at the SuperCup NI, which is being held in the Antrim and Newtownabbey borough, including local teams and top clubs like Manchester United and Aston Villa.

Lexi, who plays for Crusaders Strikers, said she has enjoyed "seeing how other countries play football".

She said her team have become "faster" after watching and playing against footballers from other countries adding it's "making us think a lot".

Lexi's teammate Ami agreed that girls are just as skilful at football as boys and had a challenge for anyone who thinks otherwise.

"Let's take it to the pitch!"

Ami said the SuperCup games "have been very good and competitive" and seeing elite teams play is something she "aspires to".

Facing Man United 'was a dream'

Clare McIlwaine has brunette hair which is tied back and she wears a red quarter zip sports jacket and a lanyard around her neck. She is standing on a football pitch and people can be seen playing football in the background.

Clare McIlwaine who is a coach with Crusaders Strikers says the women's game is growing weekly

Clare McIlwaine is a coach with Crusaders Strikers and said the women's game is going from strength to strength.

"You can see a huge difference from last year's SuperCup NI to this year, the leagues are filled," she said.

"You're seeing so many girls out wanting to play football."

Ms McIlwaine said playing against "the absolute best is a fantastic experience" and is creating huge memories for the girls.

"We played Surf Select who are American, we had Kilmarnock from Scotland and we faced the mighty Manchester United which was a dream for our girls."

Finn Harps team standing for a photo in their yellow jerseys, the goalkeepers are wearing burgundy jerseys. All the girls have their hair tied back and are smiling at the camera whilst on the football pitch.

Caoimhe McLaughlin is a goalkeeper with the under 16s team at Finn Harps who travelled from Donegal to take part in the SuperCup games

Caoimhe was at the tournament with her teammates from Finn Harps in County Donegal.

"It's great to have a girls tournament. It gets us involved in more," she said.

"There are a lot more girls in it and it's good to see. There's a lot more girl support as well thanks to all the parents."

Paddy McDaid is the coach with the under 16s Finn Harps team and said the girls' game has been "unbelievable over the last four or five years".

"I started coaching girls about 20 years ago, to see now the growth all over Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales is absolutely fantastic."

He said the skill level is "unbelievable" and that watching the Euros over recent weeks "was just just amazing".

Mr McDaid believes the growth is down to grass roots clubs.

England Euro win will help 'grow' women's game

Isla Hubbard and Nazaraei Forbes with one arm around each other as they pose for a photo in their white and blue striped jerseys. Isla has her blond hair tied back and Nazaraei has her black hair tied back.

Isla Hubbard and Nazaraei Forbes play for Brighton and Hove Albion

Nazaraei Forbes plays for Brighton and Hove Albion who are through to the final of the Junior tournament on Thursday.

"It's exciting and nerve wrecking seeing the other teams but I think it's a really good opportunity for all of us."

She added that the England team winning the Euros "will help grow women's football as big as the men's".

Nazaraei's teammate Isla Hubbard said her younger siblings and cousins are also showing an interest in the games.

"[They're] saying I want to grow up and be just like you… I would never have thought of myself to be an inspiration to those young children especially girls."

Leah Kirkpatrick has long blonde hair and wears a pink t-shirt, white jacket and a gold mayoral chain. She is standing on a football pitch.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey Leah Kirkpatrick

Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council's Mayor Leah Kirkpatrick said the council was "honoured" to host the tournament again.

She said they were proud to welcome renowned teams such as Manchester United, Aston Villa, as well as teams from USA, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

"And we're really proud to see our own Northern Ireland International side, as well as local clubs like Crusaders and Larne playing at this level.

"The tournament has brought thousands of people to the borough this week which has given a real boost to the hospitality and the tourism sector... and just promoting and supporting women's sport."

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