The Visit Belfast Welcome Centre had a special guest in its front window today (Monday 14 November) when Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Brian Kingston dropped in to help dress the window ahead of the NI Connections Friendship Four Ice Hockey Tournament.
Preparations are nearing completion for the arrival of Quinnipiac University, The University of Vermont, St. Lawrence University and University of Massachusetts, the four US college Ice Hockey teams who will take to the ice at the SSE Arena over the Thanksgiving weekend (25/26 November) to compete for the Belpot Cup.
Alderman Kingston said: “Excitement in the city is building for the return of the NI Connections Friendship Four Ice Hockey Tournament. Final preparations are well underway to ensure the games are a major success.
“It’s fantastic to host such a prestigious tournament here in Belfast and it strengthens our reputation for hosting major sporting events in the city. I would encourage as many people as possible to come down to the SSE arena to see the action unfold.”
The tournament is an outcome of Belfast Sister City links with the United States and aims to promote which aims to promote transatlantic business, tourism and cultural links.
Following on the success of last year’s tournament this year the NI Connections Friendship Four promises to be bigger and better. Coverage of the games in Belfast will reach wider audiences in the US and Canada as Tourism NI have sponsored the television coverage for the weekend.
Once again, hundreds of children from schools and community groups right across Belfast and beyond will be invited to watch the action unfold on Friday the 25 November for free. They will also enjoy a visit to W5 to take part in interactive STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) workshops.
Members of the public are also welcome to attend the games and tickets, including family passes, can be purchased from the SSE Arena box office or from the Friendship Four website.
For more information about the tournament visit www.belfastcity.gov.uk/business/internationalrelations/friendship-four/friendship-four
Photo Caption: Lord Mayor of Belfast, Alderman Brian Kingston is joined by Shane Johnston, Project Manager of the NI Connections Friendship Four games and Steve Thornton, Head of Hockey Operations at the Belfast Giants in the front window of the Visit Belfast Welcome Centre to help promote the NI Connections Friendship Four Ice Hockey tournament. The action takes place over the Thanksgiving weekend and will see four US College teams compete for the Belpot Cup.