Gareth McAuley urges players at SuperCupNI to savour bonds and memories that will last a lifetime
Former West Bromwich Albion ace 'Big G' led 62 elite boys' and girls' teams through the streets of Coleraine.
The 42nd edition of the international youth football tournament features sides from across the globe.
'The SuperCup has had a big history of many top players in the underage teams,' said Euro 2016 icon McAuley, who earned 80 caps for his country.
'It's a great shop window for our local players taking part in the many different age groups.
'It is a real showcase and real kudos for the area and organisers to still be going so strong.
'It is a brilliant tournament, now renowned worldwide with teams from five continents, which is absolutely fantastic.
'The kids will all play football for different reasons, for some it can set them on a different pathway.
'I have fond memories from playing in the tournament and I'm still in contact with players from my team so you can create bonds and friendships which can last a lifetime.
'It's great for the boys and girls to get away as a group and experience what life can be like as a football player if that is their dream. It gives them a first taste of what it might be like.'
More than 1,200 young players will compete in over 150 matches across five age groups, with fixtures taking place at venues throughout the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council areas.
McAuley competed in the tournament in 1994 when it was known as the Milk Cup. He represented the Dundonald Junior League in the boys' junior section and subsequently played for Crusaders and Coleraine before enjoying a distinguished playing career in England with Lincoln City, Leicester City, Ipswich Town and West Brom.
He has worked as a coach with Northern Ireland's Under-17 and Under-19 squads before being appointed manager of the Under-19 men's team in 2023.
'I'm deep in the development side of the game and I know a lot of clubs like the Northern Ireland players and their attitude and determination,' said McAuley.
'There's a rawness there with some of them not being over-coached.
'They want to look at our players and when the players play against other academy teams, it's a massive shop window.
'From an Association point of view, we are in a good position — the NIFL leagues are strong, they are becoming more competitive, and the JD Academy is bridging the gap between full-time and part-time, making the boys more ready for moves.
'Lots of great work is done in recruitment and everyone is working hard to get the most out of a small pool of players.
'That is testament not just to the Association, but to all the youth coaches working with the players on a daily and weekly basis.'
This tournament boasts a globally diverse line-up with elite clubs from the UK, Republic of Ireland, Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia competing across five fiercely contested age categories.
Headline names for 2025 include Manchester United, Brighton & Hove Albion, West Ham United, Celtic, Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds United, who will join a strong line-up of County representative teams and local clubs including Linfield, Cliftonville, Crusaders and Coleraine.
McAuley, who retired in 2019 at the age of 39 following a 23-year playing career, is thrilled to back the popular youth tournament.
'What always stood out to me was how many of my team-mates throughout my professional career talked about playing in it, with the fondest of memories,' he added.
'I'd encourage every young footballer taking part this week to embrace the occasion, give it everything and take pride in representing their team and their country.
'I wish everyone the very best of luck for what I'm sure will be another brilliant week of football.'
Victor Leonard, chairperson of Budget Energy SuperCupNI, said: 'Gareth's journey from competing in the tournament to becoming a mainstay on the international stage is exactly the kind of story that continues to inspire the next generation.'
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