As the dark days of winter come to a close, the boys from Ards Youth are preparing for another exciting round of youth football tournaments throughout Europe and excitement at the club is at an all time high.

The U14 Lisburn League team will be traveling to Spain to participate in the Trofeo Mediterraneo, Barcelona. Our U14 Colts also travel to Spain to participate in the Tossa Cup, held in Loret de Mar. The U14's (ABYDL) and U9's (George Best Youth League) are off to Holland to participate in the Tulip Cup, Amsterdam and the U11 Lisburn League side is off to participate in the Blackpool Cup.

The tournaments are generally the highlight of our young players' seasons as they get to join with other teams and players from throughout Europe for this wonderful experience. International football is an unbelievable opportunity and a once in a lifetime experience!

Through the game of football, players and teams from different cultures and backgrounds are brought together to form ever lasting memories and friendships. A football tour not only makes your players better individually, but also improves your overall team performance and chemistry. Hopefully, parents will recognise what a great opportunity these tournaments are for their kids socially as well as athletically.

Over the past few months various raffles and sponsored events took place. These events, together with money from parents, provided us with most of the funds required. The remainder was very kindly donated by a number of sponsors, including Worthington Solicitors, Misco IT, Northstone (NI) Limited, Topping Meats, Donnelly Brothers - Dungannon, Syngenta, Premier Foods, Lakeland Dairies, Ballymena Meats, Millers Fish & Chips.

Updates on how all the teams done will be posted on the clubs website ardsyouth.co.uk

Ards Youth Colts are please to announce that Misco the UK's leading IT supply company are kindly sponsoring the team for their forthcoming Easter trip to Spain to play in the Tossa Cup football competition in Loret de Mar, Spain.

Ards Youth U14's are pleased to announce that Worthington Solicitors are kindly sponsoring the team for their forthcoming Easter trip to Spain to play in the Trofeo Mediterraneo football competition, Barcelona.

ardsfc.co.uk