The All Girls Youth Soccer Tournament Starts Next Week
With over 180 teams from 4 different countries, this youth soccer tournament is officially back and is bigger than ever … Plus the girls participating will be giving back to the Ukraine by raising funds to bring a Ukrainian team to the 2023 Dallas International Girls Cup.
he 2022 Dallas International Girls Cup takes place from April 13 through April 17, 2022, with more than 6,000 young female soccer players. The girls’ teams, U8 through U19, will arrive on the fields at the Ross Stewart Soccer Complex in Farmers Branch outside of Dallas ready to take on the top-notch competiton.
Welcoming international and domestic players from Mexico, Denmark, Canada and nine different U.S. states is the keynote speaker of the opening event, Tracey Kevins, head coach of U.S. Soccer’s U20 Women’s National Team. Kevins took over the U20s in October, 2021 and knows how to mentor and encourage young women on the pathway to success.
The 2022 Dallas International Girls Cup is the only well known international youth soccer tournament dedicated to young women.
In contrast to the predominantly boys’ Dallas Cup which only has 30 girls teams competing, the Dallas International Girls Cup has 180 teams hitting the pitch for the tournament.
“We have a network of representatives from all over the world and we all know the conflict has suspended the Ukrainian soccer season. We are trying to raise $25,000 to bring a girls team from Ukrainian to our tournament for free next year, and we hope that some of the girls from the Ukraine will be scouted and earn an American college scholarship,” said Loek van Zijl, Dallas International Girls Cup Tournament Director. “Right now, girls’ teams in the Ukraine can’t play and we should realize how fortunate we are to enjoy the game of soccer.” The fundraiser is an initiative of the Dallas International Girls Cup and Premier International Tours and donations can be made on the website.
“Besides helping grow the girls’ game, I want to make a difference for people in harm’s way.”
Loek van Zijl, Dallas International Girls Cup Tournament Director
The Ukrainian national anthem and the anthems of the participating countries will be played during the opening ceremony.
College and University coaches from all across the United States are attending the 2022 Dallas International Girls Cup and consider it one of North America’s premier tournaments. It is an opportunity to scout top prospects competing at world-class levels. The tournament expects over 100 collegiate coaches, which matches attendance figures from 2021. This is excellent considering many college coaches are still traveling less than before the pandemic.
“The competition is strong, especially considering we are emerging from the pandemic,” said van Zijl. “The games should be great and our fields are phenomenal, the highest quality, which these girls deserve to play on.”
“Play hard, think about girls in the world who are less fortunate than you are, and have fun,” said van Zijl.
“If you are a talented soccer player, remember it is important also to be passionate, ethical and empathetic.”
Loek van Zijl, Dallas International Girls Cup Tournament Director
Top international teams Ballerup-Skovlunde Fodbold, Fortuna, and Caledon Cyclones join a prestigious line up of youth soccer clubs participating in the 2022 Dallas International Girls Cup including the Dallas Texans, Darlington School Soccer Academy Girls, Solar Soccer ECNL, FC Dallas, BVB International Academy, IMG Academy, Sting Soccer Club, TopHat, Houston Dynamo, Dallas Surf, and Crossfire Premier Soccer Club. In addition, Southern Texas’ leagues U9C and Girls Classic League have partnered with the event and have entered their best teams.
The Danish players are staying with host families of local girls playing in the tournament. The players’ hosting is free.
