Women's football: County Antrim to host European under-16 competition

Young NI footballers competing in international tournaments have told how women's football is “getting bigger and bigger”.

County Antrim hosts the UEFA Development Competition for under-16s.

Teams from Belgium, Iceland, Spain and Northern Ireland will be participating.

Visiting teams use training facilities at Allen Park, Crumlin Leisure Center and V36 Park in Newtownabbey.

Antrim Newtownabbey Borough Council has also hosted the Super Cup Women's Tournament since its inception in 2022.

“This is my first time in Northern Ireland,'' says Nour Persen, a member of the Belgian team.

“It's a beautiful country and I would love to come back and see other parts of the country. It's important for us to have fun.”

Rudi van Ginderdeuren is manager of the Belgian Red Flames Under-16 team and says the training camp will help the team develop.

“Every country plays in a different way. Iceland were very aggressive and in Belgium we are not used to that,” he said.

“Northern Ireland are playing a different type of game and we know they played a very technical game against Spain.

“So it's great to play against three countries with different styles.”

Bringing international teams to Northern Ireland will also help the home team grow.

Angela Platt is Director of Women's Football at the Football Association of Ireland.

“The beauty of these tournaments is the chance for them to experience tournament soccer,” she said.

“It's an opportunity to compete against other top countries and see how far we can go.

“It also gives coaches an opportunity to learn and understand what they need to do to help their players develop.

“And obviously for us, it's about inspiring the next generation as role models so they can continue their footballing journey into the future.”

Jessica McGuinness, 15, is captain of the Northern Ireland under-16 girls team.

“Women's football is always improving and getting bigger and bigger. It's an honor to play for your country, especially as a captain,” she said.

“I am proud to be at the top of NI and represent the country across all age groups.”

And for the city council to bring in an event like this to boost local businesses is a complete coup.

Matt McDowell, Director of Parks and Leisure for Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council, said the team were impressed with what the area had to offer.

“Antrim and Newtownabbey are well known for their excellent sporting facilities and the council spends significant amounts of money on them every year,” he said.

“First of all, that's why we were so honored to host the team.

“Secondly, we have an international airport, so I think we are incredibly well-located for international teams to visit.

“But I think thirdly, and probably important for the team's downtime, we're also a tourist hub and there's a lot to see and do.”