For the 112 teams competing in the 2008 University of Ulster Foyle Cup, the waiting is over as details of the Draw for this year's event were released at the Press Launch held in Magee Campus of University of Ulster when former England, Man Utd, and Blackburn Star, David May, was the Official Guest of Honour.
The event will take place in Derry, Strabane and Limavady Council area from the 21st to 26th July.
The Foyle Cup which began as an 8 team one day event in 1992 has now grown into one of the largest youth international soccer tournaments in Europe.
Tournament Chairman Michael Hutton in acknowledging the growth of the tournament expressed his delight that the event is affording Irish league and Eircom leagues an opportunity to develop young players and give them the opportunity to pitch the skills of these young players against international opposition.
" I know we in the the Derry & District Youth FA have worked extremely hard over the years to develop our youth academy, much to the benefit of our local senior clubs and in order to give our youth the opportunity to realise their full potential, we decided to organise the Foyle Cup tournament and attract as high a standard of opposition as we can. When we examine this year's entry, the international appeal of the Foyle Cup is witnessed more and more as teams from far and beyond British shores travel to Derry to compete in the event - from England Scotland, France, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Hungary, Canada and America - teams of the calibre of Ferencvaros, Montpellier, Sporting Lokeren, Hull City, Hearts, Sheffield Utd, to name but a few. But what is even more pleasing about the growth of the Foyle Cup is that more and more of our Senior clubs within Ireland recognise the opportunity being afforded them to prepare young players from their club to compete against top class opposition. These players are not simply being assembled to play in a tournament but are reaping the benefits of many years of involvement and preparation put in by their coaches at their Senior clubs - Derry City, Linfield, Glentoran, Glenavon, Portadown, Limavady Utd, Lisburn Distillery, Institute, Ballyclare , Armagh City, Donegal Celtic, Ards , Finn Harps, Coleraine and Dundalk."
Mr Hutton also acknowledged the importance of sponsorship to the event.
"To organise an event such as the Foyle Cup must take up an immeasurable amount of time, commitment and dedication, particularly when one considers that all the members of the organising committee do this on a voluntary basis but it would not be possible for it to take place without the generosity of our sponsors. In particular I wish to acknowledge the support afforded the event by Derry City Council, Limavady Borough Council, Strabane District Council, Department of Culture Arts and Leisure, Firmus Energy, Tesco and the University of Ulster.
Special Guest of Honour at last night's launch was former Man Utd and Blackburn star, David May, who in releasing details of the Draw, praised the efforts of the organisers, the Derry & District Youth Football association.
"To organise any event takes a lot of commitment and time. As I travel around Europe, I am increasing made aware of the prestige in which this tournament is held by many Football Associations and clubs and as someone who was successful in the game at professional level, I know how much was done for me by youth team managers particularly during my formative years. I know how this competition helps many of the future stars of international football prepare for the demands of professional soccer and international football which lies ahead and a former professional player, I also fully appreciate the immense contribution made by the organisers of this event in offering so many Irish kids an excellent pathway into professional football."
Catherine Martin of Department of Culture Arts and Leisure, the tournament's major sponsor stated, "We are delighted once again to support the Foyle Cup. It is a sign of the tournament's continued success that 2008 provides another significant landmark as this year's event is the largest competition ever hosted with over 100 teams taking the field.
Supporting young people in sport is an important priority for the Department and the Minister personally. This tournament while providing an enormous opportunity for young people to engage in competitive team sport also provides a chance for our young people to meet and interact with others from across the globe - the tournament which this year will feature clubs from 4 continents offers a unique opportunity for young people from Northern Ireland to broaden their horizons and learn from the challenges that participation in sport can often bring.
I would like to close by commending the professionalism and enthusiasm of all of those involved in the organisation of this important event and wishing them a very successful tournament."
Pro Vice Chancellor and Provost of the University of Ulster, Professor Jim Allen in expressing the University's delight in becoming involved as a major sponsor of the Foyle Cup tournament stated, "The University of Ulster is deeply committed to its regional role, playing a leading part in the social and economic regeneration of Northern Ireland.
Sport, competitive and indeed recreational, is a very important part of the health and quality of life of our community. It is our ambition to be no less than the leading university on the island of Ireland in this field and we are delighted, as we plan to introduce our new sports strategy which includes many opportunities for Magee and the North West, to be involved as a main sponsor of the Foyle Cup tournament. The University of Ulster believes in progress by partnership and I have no doubt that the partnership formed by ourselves and the Derry & District Youth Football Association will prove beneficial for all concerned, not least the youth of this city and across the island of Ireland and beyond."
Irene Hewitt speaking on behalf of Tesco, expressed her company's delight in being involved with the Foyle Cup event.
"We are delighted to support the young players in this competition and we believe there is a real passion for the game at a grassroots level in Northern Ireland. With football fever currently gripping the World, we hope the Foyle Cup tournament will encourage the young players and help them develop their skills. We also hope that the experience will inspire some of the young footballers to continue with the game and develop as players, who might one day play professionally"
Further support for the organisers came from firmus energy whose spokesperson Jennifer Lynott added "We have been working in the local area for a number of months and although we do everything in our power to keep disturbance to a minimum, it is not possible to build a natural gas network without causing some disruption. In recognition of this, we work with local schools, playgroups and community projects to provide support to local initiatives in the area.
"As the new provider of natural gas, we are delighted to support this new Under 11 addition to the Foyle Cup this year. With tournaments like this recognised as being one of the best ways of bringing-on young players, firmus energy is happy to play a part in developing players for the future."
All the latest information and the full draw for this years competition is available on www.foylecup.com