The Tongan women’s team has committed to participate and plan to use the Cup as preparation for their Women’s World Cup qualifier in Papua New Guinea in late October.

The Women’s World Cup will be held in Canada in 2015.

Cup founder and recent Inverell Business Outstanding Achievement Award winner Heinrich Haussler believes the addition came about as result of the growing profile of the event.

“Our first team ever was New Zealand and then we had Germany, and they are both returning this year. One of the New Zealand girls must have talked to one of the Tongan girls and told them how great the Mini World Cup is; how competitive it is,” Haussler said.

“So the Tongan Football Federation and asked if they would be allowed to play in our Mini World Cup. 

He said attracting more internationals like Tonga, and hosting Mini World Cup players who have gone on to play at a professional level and the World Cup itself is a huge asset for building the competition and promoting its reputation as a platform for young, aspiring players.

“People say ‘Why do you want these overseas teams?’ These teams will now draw other competition.” 

“So now, a Brisbane team, a Sydney team, and Adelaide team will think-oh yeah-this is something where we want to go’,” Haussler said.

“It is helping our tournament to grow in prestige, grow in size and that’s what this is all about.”