MY CLUB: BALLYMENA
Eaton Park,
209 Raceview Road,
Ballymena, Co. Antrim,
BT42 4HU
www.ballymenarugbyclub.com
By Daire Walsh
WITH four wins in the opening four rounds, Ballymena RFC are riding high in Ulster Bank League Division 1B. They are keeping pace with Galwegians who, like the Braidmen, gained promotion from the All-Ireland League’s third tier last season.
Having won the Division 1 crown as recently as 2003, Ballymena are a club that are certainly capable of performing at the top level, and Club President Guy McCullough acknowledged how important it was to return to Division 1B at the first time of asking.
“That was the objective when we went down (to Division 2A). That we had to really get back up again on the bounce because if you’re down in the lower divisions for any length of time it becomes increasingly more difficult to get back up again,” said McCullough.
“Certainly, it was very important to us. Because I would say this particular year we have been able to recruit more young lads than we have done for quite some time. I think the fact that they’re a division higher must be a contributing factor in that respect.”
Now in his second year as President, McCullough has been a Ballymena club member since the 1960s. Although a serious leg injury sustained during his school days meant that he never had the opportunity to represent the Antrim outfit on the field of play, he has made a sizeable contribution in various administrative capacities.
“I suppose in the 60s (when I first became involved), probably the late 60s. I had a serious leg injury when I was still at school, and so I never really did play rugby then after that. I really was just an administrator from the word go.
“This is only my second year as President, but I was Honorary Secretary for 23 years. I was Chairman in the 1986/87 season, the year before our Centenary. I’ve held quite a number of positions in the club.”
With 150 kids coming up to Eaton Park for mini rugby on a Saturday, and 120 players registered at youth level, Ballymena’s underage set-up is currently blossoming, and McCullough feels that it is vital to the club’s future prospects.
“Very much so. I suppose if we look at the first XV, there may not be very many who have evolved out of our youth system. But certainly if you look at our seconds, thirds, fourths, yes they are certainly.
“Out of our youth system, if we can get one or two lads coming through to be first XV players that’s fine. Most of our first XV players would emerge from rugby playing grammar schools in the area.
“Not only from the two schools in the town (Ballymena Academy and Cambridge House), but also other local schools. The likes of Ballyclare High School and so on. It’s very promising. That’s certainly where the future of the club lies,” he added.