A FOOTBALL tournament
which offers budding young players the chance to play in Europe will be held in
Inverell this week, with the Rale Rasic Mini World Cup to kick off on Friday at
the Inverell Sports Complex.
Boasting more than 55 teams from the likes of Adelaide, Newcastle, Toowoomba and Lismore,
the event will also host talented teams from across the New England-North West,
with accommodation providers in Inverell bursting at the seams.
Founder
Heinrich Haussler says he’s delighted with the line-up of teams and says the
tournament has secured the services of top-notch refereeing staff who will
travel to Inverell for the event.
“Not
only will we have hundreds of players and their families here in Inverell this
week, we will also see the Grand Finals of the Northern Inland Premier League
at the venue on Saturday. It will be a very special 4 days of football”.
Players
aged 8 years to 19 will compete in the Mini World Cup, with the chance to earn
a paid scholarship to Germany to play and train alongside professional level
footballers.
Teams
will be officially welcomed to Inverell with an event opening ceremony on
Friday at 10.30am at the Sports Complex before the on field action starts.
Along
with Bundesliga coach Jens Kiefer, special guest for the tournament will be
Deborah Rasic, the widow of Australian football icon and World Cup Socceroos
coach, Rale Rasic.
Haussler
encourages locals to visit the Sports Complex during the event to soak in the
action and show their support for both local and visiting teams.
“Inverell
FC will have the canteen in operation for the event for anyone looking for
refreshments”.
Mr
Haussler says updates throughout the tournament will be shared on the Mini
World Cup Facebook page www.facebook.com/miniworldcup and also on Inverell’s community
radio station, 91.9 STA FM.