NI kids are set to shine in Las Vegas

SOME of Northern Ireland’s best young footballing talents will go on the trip of a lifetime when they jet off to Las Vegas to play in the annual Mayor’s Cup, which kicks off on Saturday.

A team representing the Subway NIBFA National Youth League will compete in the event which sees 500 teams from around the world take part across several different age groups.

The opportunity came about when Roger Tabor, the tournament director of the Mayor’s Cup, offered DB Sports Tours a place in the competition and they nominated the side from Northern Ireland to compete.

The Under-15s side which travels across will become the first team either side of the border to take part in the prestigious Mayor’s Cup.

The team will take on three teams from the United States in their group: Arizona 04 Miranda, Utah Alliance Premier and ISC Gunners Washington.

Not only will the team get to experience different styles of football alongside sides from the likes of Germany, Haiti, Canada and Japan, but they will also get the chance to go sightseeing to iconic Nevada landmarks such as the Grand Canyon and the Las Vegas Strip.

David Berber, the chief executive officer of DB Sports Tours, said: “This is a massive opportunity for the kids to enjoy a trip of a lifetime to Vegas and hopefully some of them may be scouted for college places in the coming years.

“I would like to thank Roger Tabor of the Mayor’s Cup for giving this group of kids the opportunity and a sincere thank you to Gerry Ward, chairperson of the league, for helping make it happen.

“I wish all the players and staff a safe trip and can’t wait to hear how they get on.”

The trip coincides with the recent opening of DB Sports Tours’ first office Stateside, opening up the potential for more opportunities for grassroots sport across the Atlantic.

Fans can keep track of the Northern Ireland team’s progress on the National League’s Facebook page or by searching #SUBWAYNYLinVegas on Twitter. Jetting off: the team representing the Subway NIBFA National Youth League which will compete in the Mayor’s Cup in Las Vegas this weekend