After 27 years, the U13Cup, the prestigious international youth soccer tournament from Bassevelde, has a new president with Joeri Hertleer. Hertleer had been active for years on the board of the organizing vzw Maarten. With Cindy Van Hyfte and Tom Van Vooren, the U13Cup also welcomes two new board members.
This year’s U13Cup will take place June 6, 7 and 8. Like last edition, the U14 ‘Sparks’ Cup will also feature an elite girls’ soccer tournament and a focus on G-football.
“Realizing youth soccer dreams remains our main goal,” says Joeri Hertleer, who takes over the torch from John De Pauw. The latter stepped down two years ago, but a successor was not immediately found. “Thanks to our years of experience, we went a year without a president last year, but we were missing a point of contact. Volunteers, sponsors and teams want someone they can turn to, and that person wasn’t there. Hence, at the request of the board, I jumped into the gap full of enthusiasm.” Hertleer owns a transport company in Bassevelde, for the U13Cup he was mainly the Spanish connection of the tournament. So he has very good connections at the Spanish top clubs. He was also the permanent supervisor of Real Madrid at the tournament for many years.
Hertleer will be joined on his team by Cindy Van Hyfte, who will take care of the VIP event and the new networking evening launched last year. Van Hyfte is active in Interim Management and freelance projects. Logistically, Tom Van Vooren is a new addition to the team. Tom Van Vooren has been active in Basseveld soccer for years and now wants to put his professional knowledge at the service of the U13Cup.
First names
During their presentation, the three immediately got to launch the first four names for the U13Cup. With Real Madrid, old friend Celtic Glasgow returning after a year’s absence, RB Leipzig and PSV Eindhoven, this year’s tournament also promises sporting fireworks. “All four of these teams are still active in the Champions League and guarantee an absolute top youth team. We are happy to welcome them to Bassevelde.”
Hertleer promises to unload new names in the coming weeks. The draw for the U13Cup will take place on April 7 in community center ‘de Bijenkorf’ in Assenede. For the first time, it will also be available to follow via livestream on the tournament’s socials.
