Northern Ireland Under-19s boss Gareth McAuley will officially launch this year’s SuperCupNI tournament.
The former West Bromwich Albion defender, who earned 80 caps for his country, will lead 62 elite boys’ and girls’ teams through the streets of Coleraine on Sunday (27 July) before officially declaring the 2025 tournament open at the Coleraine Showgrounds.
McAuley said: “It’s a real honour to be invited to open this year’s Budget Energy SuperCupNI. I have so many fond memories of playing in the tournament as a teenager and it was a massive part of my own football journey.
“I made lifelong friends and memories playing at the tournament and what always stood out to me was how many of my teammates throughout my professional career talked about playing in it, with the fondest of memories.
“The crowds, the energy and the sense of occasion right across the week, not to mention the top class football, make this tournament really special. It’s also a vital platform for young local talent to showcase their ability against top international opposition and to experience the standards needed to progress in the game.
“Everyone looks forward to the welcome parade and opening ceremony. It’s such a brilliant occasion, with the streets packed full of people cheering the players on and giving the visiting teams a warm Northern Ireland welcome. It’ll be fantastic to be part of that atmosphere once again.”
The 2025 Budget Energy SuperCupNI is set to be staged from 27 July until Friday 1 August – it will be the 42nd edition of the international youth football tournament – and will feature elite boys’ and girls’ teams from across the globe.
And around 55,000 spectators are expected to enjoy an unforgettable week of top class football.
More than 1,200 young players will compete in over 150 matches across five age groups, with fixtures taking place at venues throughout the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council areas.
A commanding centre back during his playing days, McAuley competed in the tournament in 1994 when it was known as the Milk Cup. He represented the Dundonald Junior League in the boys’ junior section and subsequently played for Crusaders and Coleraine before enjoying a distinguished playing career in England with Lincoln City, Leicester City, Ipswich Town and West Brom.
Since retiring in 2019 at the age of 39, following a 23-year playing career, McAuley has remained a key figure in the international set-up, working as a coach with Northern Ireland’s Under-17 and Under-19 squads before being appointed manager of the Under-19 men’s team in 2023.
Victor Leonard, chairperson of Budget Energy SuperCupNI, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that Gareth has agreed to officially open this year’s tournament.
“He’s not only one of Northern Ireland’s most respected footballing figures, but someone who understands first hand what the Budget Energy SuperCupNI means to young players, their families and friends, having played in the tournament as a teenager.
“Gareth’s journey from competing in the tournament to becoming a mainstay on the international stage is exactly the kind of story that continues to inspire the next generation.”
This year’s Budget Energy SuperCupNI will feature some of the biggest names in football, including Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Leeds United, Southampton, Brighton and Hove Albion, West Ham United, Celtic and Rangers.
They will compete alongside youth teams from the likes of Linfield, Coleraine, Crusaders, Cliftonville, Glenavon, Loughgall, Ballymena United, St Patrick’s Athletic, Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers as well as the six county representative teams in Northern Ireland.
And also in the mix will be teams from Bermuda, Japan, Mexico, UAE and USA.
For more information on the Budget Energy SuperCupNI visit www.supercupni.com.
