Tension builds as nominees revealed
Thursday, 11 September 2008
Among those vying for the title of Junior Sportsman of the Year at this year’s Ballymoney Sports awards is Coleraine and NI Under-19 international footballer Howard Beverland.
THE tension is building ahead of next month's Ballymoney Sports Awards following the announcement of the nominees in each of the various categories.
As ever, the list of sports men and women shortlisted covers a range of sports and includes some of the borough's finest, both young and old.
Competition promises to be fierce across the board with three very talented young sportsmen in the running to lift the Junior Sports Man of the Year award.
Among those vying for the title are Coleraine and NI Under-19 international footballer Howard Beverland, All Ireland Under-15 champion trampolinist Aidan Carlin and Errigal Boxing Club's Michael Glendenning, a four time Irish Senior boxing champion.
The battle for the Junior Sports Woman award promises to be equally hard-fought with three very talented performers in the running including trampolinist Caite Skelly. A multiple champion on both sides of the border, Caite is currently ranked fourth in Great Britain.
Up against her are two rising stars of their respective sports. Volleyball player Rhian McCarroll, capped 24 times by NI, is one of only two NI girls being earmarked for the London Olympics in 2012 while Ballymoney Hockey Club's Megan Frazer continues to impress at senior level with Ireland despite her young age.
The Senior Sports Team award sees Ballymoney Hockey Club's First XI go up against Loughgiel Shamrocks senior camogs and Dunloy senior hurlers in what promises to be a tough group. All three have justifiable claims on winning the prize but only one will walk away with the top honour.
There are three clubs shortlisted in the Merit Award including Glebe Rangers' Reserves who lost only once in the season on their way to retaining the Ballymena Junior League title, Ballymoney RFC First XV who enjoyed a terrific first season in the Qualifying League, Section One, and Ballymoney Volleyball Club's men's second team who won the NI Division Two crown.
In terms of the Junior Sports Team award it's between the Riada National Trampoline team, NI and All Ireland champions, Dalriada Under-18 Girls Volleyball team, NI league and cup winners, and Ballymoney Utd Colts who won won the Irish League Section B title and narrowly lost the final against the Section A winners.
There are a host of other awards up for grabs at the glittering event in Ballymoney Town Hall on Saturday October 4 including Senior Sports Man and Woman, Coach of the Year and, of course, the latest entrant into the Hall of Fame and we will preview these next week.
“As in previous years, the standard of competition is extremely high," said a spokesperson for the organisers, the Ballymoney Sports Advisory Committee.
“We had a difficult job narrowing down the list of candidates in each category to just the nominees but we think we have managed to reflect the sporting successes of the past 12 months.
“We're delighted that Dame Mary Peters, arguably Northern Ireland's greatest ever Olympian, has agreed to join us on the evening as well as popular BBC NI Sports presenter Stephen Watson.
“All in all it promises to be a memorable night," added the spokesperson.
Tickets for the event go on sale this Thursday at 12 noon from Ballymoney Town Hall.
