FK Cēsis – Jules Verne Women will host Wellington Recreation Football Club Women from Northern Ireland in October 2026 in the inaugural Four Castles International Invitational, a new women’s football competition aimed at building international competition, player development and cultural exchange between European clubs.
The first edition of the Invitational will take place in Cēsis, with Wellington Rec travelling to Latvia for the opening event. The competition is then scheduled to rotate to Larne, Northern Ireland, in 2027, where Wellington Rec will host FK Cēsis as part of the growing partnership between the two clubs.
The tournament is backed by Four Castles Sporting Group as title sponsor. The group has presented the Invitational as a platform for women’s clubs to access international matches, strengthen player pathways and build relationships beyond domestic competition.
For FK Cēsis – Jules Verne Women, the announcement marks a significant moment, with the club set to host the first edition of the competition in its home city.
“Hosting the inaugural tournament in Cēsis is a proud moment for our club and our city,” said Džeina Eglīte, manager and player for FK Cēsis – Jules Verne Women. “This is an opportunity to show the strength and spirit of women’s football in Latvia while building lasting relationships with clubs abroad. We are honored to welcome Wellington Rec and to be part of something that is growing the game internationally.”
Karīna Martinova, FK Cēsis – Jules Verne Women player and advisor to Four Castles Sporting Group, said the tournament would combine football with a wider cultural exchange.
“This initiative brings together competition and culture in a way that is truly special,” Martinova said. “Cēsis offers a beautiful and historic setting, and we’re excited to share that with our partners from Northern Ireland. It’s also exciting to see plans developing to include teams from the United States, particularly Florida, which will make this a truly global tournament.”
Kevin Doyle, founder of Four Castles Sporting Group and involved with both clubs, including through a majority ownership stake in FK Cēsis, said the Invitational reflected the group’s broader vision for women’s football.
“This Invitational represents exactly what we believe the future of women’s football should look like – globally connected, competitive, and full of opportunity,” Doyle said. “Bringing together clubs from Northern Ireland and Latvia is just the beginning. We’re proud to support these athletes and organizations as they build something lasting, both on and off the pitch. Cēsis is an incredible place to launch this event, and we’re excited to showcase it to an international audience.”
Wellington Recreation Football Club chairman Kenny Thompson said the Northern Irish club was looking forward to competing abroad and then hosting the return edition in Larne in 2027. Team captain Abby Taylor added that the experience would be about “growth, connection, and representing our club and community on an international stage.”
The Four Castles Sporting Group also confirmed that discussions are underway to expand the Invitational to include additional clubs from the United States, including potential participation from Florida-based teams.
The October 2026 event in Cēsis is intended to serve not only as the first meeting between FK Cēsis – Jules Verne Women and Wellington Recreation Women, but also as the starting point for a planned international tournament structure linking Latvia, Northern Ireland and, potentially, the United States.
