Dallas International Girls Cup Concludes with Seven New Champions Being Crowned
Over 1500 youth soccer players rejoiced as they competed on the fields in Texas at the Dallas International Girls Cup — another annual youth soccer event missing its international teams.
YOUTH SOCCER TOURNAMENT UPDATE: The 10th annual Dallas International Girls Cup took place from March 31 through April 4, 2021 in the city of Farmers Branch, Texas.
The girls-only The Dallas International Girls Cup is a highly competitive youth soccer tournament hosted and organized by the Dallas Texans SC and Premier International Tours.
A total of 160 domestic teams applied to the 2021 The Dallas International Girls Cup and the top 132 were selected to participate — and 40% of the accepted teams were in the ECNL or the GA.
This event, which traditionally hosts world class competition from Canada, Europe, South America and Asia, was missing its international teams this year as they could not participate because of the pandemic’s travel restrictions.
Read: LOEK VAN ZIJL ON WHY YOUTH SOCCER TRAVEL IS IMPORTANT
Being able to be back on the field and competing as a team in a major youth soccer tournament was an exciting experience for everyone at the Girls Cup.
“Teams were ecstatic to return to play and the parents were so appreciative,” said Loek van Zijl founder of Premier International Tours. “It was a great feeling for everybody to be on the soccer fields again. I was happy to be out as well.”
“Watching the games, This was the highest US soccer level we have had in the tournament.”
Loek van Zijl, President & CEO of Premier International Tours
“The level of competition was very high, even though I had the feeling that many of the teams had only limited practice before the tournament,” said van Zijl.
2021 DALLAS INTERNATIONAL GIRLS CUP CHAMPIONS
- Womens U19 Champions: SPARTA FC 02G ELITE
- Girls U17 Champions: COLLIERVILLE SOCCER ASSOC 04 LADY LOBOS PREMIER
- Girls U16 Champions: DALLAS TEXANS 05 ECNL
- Girls U15 Champions: SOLAR U15G ECNL
- Girls U14 Champions: DKSC 07G BONES ECNL
- Girls U13 Champions: NASA TOPHAT NTH TOPHAT GA 08 GOL
- Girls U16 Champions: SOLAR 09G HAYLOCK (F:GRADO)
Although the state of Texas lifted the mandate requiring face coverings, the youth tournament encouraged families to wear masks and COVID protocols were explained on the event website.
“The staff were all vaccinated before the tournament and wore masks throughout the event,” said van Zijl.
“This was one of the first events after the lockdown,” said van Zijl. “We could see that the players, coaches and family members were very happy being part of our tournament again but it felt totally different than other years. I have been in lockdown for nearly a year and we followed the rules to the letter. It felt a little surreal as well as wonderful to be hosting the event,” said van Zijl.
“I can say the 2021 Dallas International Girls Cup was a huge success and brought a lot of happiness to the players who came out,” said van Zijl. “We have received a lot of messages from participating clubs thanking us. CJ Buzzell – Manitou FC 2003 Girls Orange Premier wrote, ‘What a great showcase. We had a great time and the girls have loved every part of this experience.'”
“Absolutely phenomenal tournament, well run and great competition. We’ll see you again next year. Thanks You!”
Ashley Schugg, Arizona Soccer Club
“We are looking forward to welcome International teams again for our 2022 Dallas International Girls Cup,” said van Zijl.
Planning to be even more creative next year with higher competition and increase the size of the tournament, van Zijl and his staff have already started planning for 2022.
