Huge American Interest in 2018 Foyle Cup


Teams intending to apply for the 2018 Foyle Cup need to get their applications in before January 12, if they are to be considered for this year’s event.
The event, in 2017 attracted more than 340 teams, many of whom resided in the city for a minimum of 5 / 6 nights, with no fewer that 8 visiting teams from USA, plus teams from Finland, Germany, France, Scotland, England and Ireland, North & South – and tournament Chairman, Michael Hutton, believes the entry in 2018 will be even greater if present trend is anything to go by.
“ Last year we had no fewer that 8 teams travel from America and reside in City and North West region in order to compete in the event and already we have 16 confirmed teams travelling from America to compete in the 2018 event.
Bearing in mind that each participating team from USA brings approximately 40 persons ( team and family members ) and reside locally for upto 8/ 9 nights, the American visitors alone have a huge input in visitor spend during the event. Collectively they will occupy more than 4,000 bed-nights locally on a full board basis. What is particularly pleasing about the estimated 650 visitors from USA this year, is that we are attracting entries in the Ladies category as well. Added to this we will have teams competing from Finland, Germany, France and all over the UK.
Press analysis of visitor numbers to N. Ireland during 2017 were critical of the fact that only 7% of the annual visitors in recent times, were from the Republic of Ireland – the Foyle Cup event however bucks this trend as increasing numbers of participants and visitors from the Irish Republic participate or spectate the event each year. The entry of teams from the Irish Republic in 2018 is estimated to be at an all time high of 30% of total emtries – a huge interest bearing in mind that more than 13,000 bed-nights are occupied during the event and spectators numbers recorded during the week of the event in 2017 reached almost 100,000.
Officially our closing date for entries is Dec 31 but because of the holiday situation over Christmas and the New Year periods we will consider entries received by January 12. ”
Mr Hutton acknowledge the support given the event by other sponsors, Derry & Strabane District Council, Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council, The Executive Office, Tourism NI, Department for Communities, Inner City Trust, Seagate, Brunswick Moviebowl, Derry Credit Union.
More details regarding this year’s event can be viewed on tournament website www.foylecup.com.

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