Inaugural Four Castles International Invitational Concludes in Cēsis

The first edition of the Invitational took place in October 2026 in Cēsis, Latvia, where Wellington Recreation Football Club Women (Northern Ireland) faced FK Cēsis/Jules Verne Women in two matches. In the opening fixture for the trophy, Wellington Rec secured a 1-0 victory. Cathy McMaster scored the only goal from the penalty spot in the first half. In the subsequent international friendly, the home side FK Cēsis/Jules Verne Women earned a 1-0 win, with the goal created from a corner-kick opportunity delivered by team captain and manager Džeina Eglīte.

The tournament will rotate in 2027 to Larne, Northern Ireland, where Wellington Rec will host FK Cēsis as part of the growing international partnership.

The Four Castles International Invitational is backed by Four Castles Sporting Group as the title sponsor, underscoring its commitment to advancing the women’s game and creating meaningful international pathways for clubs and players.

Kevin Doyle, Founder of Four Castles Sporting Group and involved with both clubs including a majority ownership stake in FK Cēsis, stated: “This Invitational has shown exactly what we believe the future of women’s football should look like – globally connected, competitive, and full of opportunity. The matches in Cēsis delivered competitive football and a strong cultural exchange between Northern Ireland and Latvia. Bringing these clubs together is just the beginning, and we’re proud to support these athletes and organizations as they build something lasting, both on and off the pitch. Cēsis proved to be an excellent place to launch the event.”

Ben Tilney, Co-Owner of Four Castles Sporting Group and Manager of Wellington Recreation Women’s team, added: “Competing in Latvia and taking the trophy in a hard-fought 1-0 win was a tremendous experience for our players. To then play a second match against FK Cēsis and see the level of competition and hospitality was outstanding. We are already looking forward to hosting the return leg in Larne next year and continuing to develop this partnership. A special thanks to Kristine Zake and the entire FK Cēsis Academy for all of their support and thanks to the local community.”

Laura McManus, match captain for Wellington Recreation Women in the trophy match, said: “Winning 1-0 through Cathy’s penalty was a proud moment for the squad. Representing the club on an international stage in Cēsis, competing against strong opposition, and building connections with the local players and supporters made this about more than the result. We are excited to welcome FK Cēsis to Larne in 2027.”

Džeina Eglīte, Manager and player for FK Cēsis – Jules Verne Women, noted: “Hosting the inaugural tournament in Cēsis was a proud moment for our club and our city. Taking the friendly 1-0 after creating the goal from a corner opportunity showed the spirit and quality of our side. We were honored to welcome Wellington Rec and are already looking forward to the return fixture in Northern Ireland as we continue building this international relationship.”

Rachael Williamson, International Friendly match captain for Wellington Recreation Women, added: “Playing in the friendly after the trophy match gave us a different kind of challenge and allowed us to experience more of Cēsis and the local football culture. The 1-0 result for the home side reflected the competitiveness of the fixture, and the overall trip has been a valuable experience for our group. We look forward to continuing this connection.”

Joe Clements, based in Florida and Co-Owner of FK Cēsis/Jules Verne Women, added: “The results in Cēsis – Wellington Rec taking the trophy match and FK Cēsis winning the friendly – highlight the competitive balance we hoped to see. From a Florida perspective, we see tremendous potential to expand this model and build a true international pipeline that includes the United States. These matches have already demonstrated the value of the cultural and developmental exchange.”

The Four Castles Sporting Group confirmed that discussions remain underway to expand the Invitational to include additional clubs from the United States, including potential participation from Florida-based teams, further strengthening transatlantic ties and opportunities within the women’s game.