Youth Soccer News: ECNL approves Dallas International Girls Cup as a JR ECNL Event

The Elite Clubs National League (ECNL) has approved the U12 and U13 age groups of the Dallas International Girls Cup as an official JR ECNL Competition for 2013. 

The goal of the Dallas International Girls Cup is to provide at least 16 JR ECNL teams in each age group a first-class soccer competition. The tournament has already received verbal commitments from clubs like Eagles and Slammers from California, Sockers FC from Chicago, as well as Södra Sandby IF from Sweden (2012 Gothia Cup winner!) and the Dallas Texans.

Beyond being a great soccer tournament, The Dallas International Girls Cup will include an international opening ceremony, coaches reception and Texas dance night for all participants. 

“We are happy to have the Dallas International Girls Cup as one of the competition options for JR ECNL teams,” said ECNL Executive Director Jay Howell.  “We are confident that the event will provide a great experience for all the participating teams.”

ECNL is also proud to confirm more elite international and North American teams participating in the Dallas International Girls Cup. Preston North End FC from England returns again after competing in the Dallas International Girls Cup in 2012, this time in the U16 division.

Canada will also be well represented in this year’s tournament. Canadian teams confirmed already include Cambridge United from Ontario, as well as three teams from Alberta, Canada, Calgary Foothills 99, Calgary Blizzard Ajax and St Albert Impact which will all compete in the JR ECNL age categories.

Preston North End FC is representing the area of Lancashire, England and is excited to once again visit the U.S. to play in this year’s tournament. The club has an extensive and long-standing history that can be traced back to 1863 with the club’s first competitive game being played under Association rules on October 5, 1878. Preston North End FC was the founding member of the English Football League in 1888/1889 season, and the home of Preston North End FC continues to hold the exclusive title of being the oldest professional football site in the world.

The heritage of the junior section of Preston North End’s Women’s team is much more recent having been formed in 1997. Since then, Preston North End WFC has grown to become one of the strongest junior girls clubs in North England. 

This year’s Dallas International Girls Cup tournament promises to be bigger and better than ever as it continues to cement its place at the top of international youth soccer tournaments and provide a cultural experience of a lifetime for all participants!

All the new and exciting information in regards to this year’s tournament and the form to submit an application can be found at http://www.dallasinternationalgirlscup.com/.