4 days ago
New youth football tournament named after Gary Speed
A new youth football tournament is set to kick off.
The Cwpan Gary Speed, an under-16 competition named in honour of the late Wales manager and midfielder, will launch later this month in North Wales.
Organised by the FAW, the tournament will include teams from Wales, Japan, Northern Ireland, and Gibraltar, with matches taking place in Ruthin, Buckley, and Colwyn Bay from Tuesday, August 26, to Sunday, August 31.
Dr David Adams, chief football officer at the FAW, said: "We're very proud to be launching the Cwpan Gary Speed tournament this year, honouring Gary's enduring legacy and his profound impact on Welsh football.
"We hope the tournament will be a good platform for our future talent to compete and develop on the international stage, serving as a powerful reminder of how Gary's passion and commitment to high performance can shape the future of the game."
The tournament aims to provide elite youth players with valuable international experience in a setting that emphasises development and sportsmanship.
The Wales U16 squad, managed by Adrian Harvie, features 22 players from clubs across the UK, including Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Cardiff City.
Tickets will be available at each venue on match days, priced at £3 for adults and £1 for children.
The opening fixtures on Tuesday, August 26, will see Northern Ireland face Gibraltar at 11am in Ruthin, while Wales will play Japan at 6pm in Colwyn Bay.
Thursday, August 28, will feature Japan versus Northern Ireland at 11am in Ruthin and Wales against Gibraltar at 6pm in Buckley.
The tournament will conclude on Sunday, August 31, with Gibraltar taking on Japan at 10.30am in Ruthin and Wales facing Northern Ireland at 10.30am in Colwyn Bay.
