Kamloops International Cup (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

second annual

Kamloops International Cup wraps up this weekend with the home side taking to the pitch

Aug 1, 2025 | 4:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Just two games remain on the schedule at the second annual Kamloops International Cup set to wrap up this weekend at Hillside Stadium. Thursday (July 31) night saw the League 1 BC Selects taking on the Nottingham Forest U21 men, in what was the penultimate game in Kamloops for the squad.

Premier League youth clubs from Arsenal and Nottingham Forest have invaded the pitch at Hillside over the past week for the second annual Kamloops International Cup, pitting B.C. players against top team from England.

“It’s been an unreal experience so far,” said Nottingham midfielder Kalum Thompson. “We’ve dug in there, probably had the toughest game we’ve had. And rebirth setting us all up, it’s been an amazing experience. We’ve won the game, lads have put in everything, lads are doing runs afterward. And then the fans supporting us, signing shirts — it means so much whenever you put so much effort into your game.”

It’s only year two, but Lyle Dos Santos has plans to continue to grow the initiative, that combines game action with youth clinics, helping grow the beautiful game in Kamloops.

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“The intent was to build a player development pathway,” said Dos Santos. “This year, we really started to live what our ultimate goal is, we wanted to provide a local opportunity, a provincial opportunity and a national.”

Nottingham Forest is gearing up for the season, using the cup as a preseason camp to get the bodies ready.

“There is loads of things that we can take out of it, we played some really good football at times,” said Nottingham Program Development Head Chris McGuane. “Second half with the gale force winds we had to show more character, more resilience, we were out of position a lot more. But we were really pleased in terms of how they defended, in some of our principles and our style of play was really evident.”

John Antulov was the gaffer for the BC Selects on Thursday in the 2-1 defeat, he’ll get a second shot at glory on Sunday (Aug 3) with his usual Kamloops United FC squad.

“It’s been a great experience to be able to bring these quality players like Nottingham Forest in, and clubs like this in,” said Antulov. “It’s really good experience for our young players, not only here in Kamloops but throughout British Columbia representing League 1 BC, it’s a great experience for these guys to be able to play against top caliber competition like this.”

Overall, the experience is second to none for the young players getting to experience the sport thousands of kilometers from home.

“This if my first few weeks at Nottingham Forest and I think getting away from the training ground, getting away from the local host to come here, I think it’s been a brilliant experience,” added Thompson. “For me, I’m not looking to far ahead because obviously the season hasn’t started. We come up here to get fit, win games and get that winning mentality.”

The final Arsenal women’s game is Saturday, the Nottingham men on Sunday, both teams face off against Kamloops United.