Ballyclare had a very successful season this year at Intermediate and Junior level.
Both teams reached the semi-finals of the N.I. Schools League and the Juniors reached the semi-finals of the Cup competition also.

The Intermediates were beaten by Aquinas in the semi-final and the Juniors were beaten on both occasions by Our Lady of St. Patrick’s and Knock.

The Intermediate team show particular talent, led by Brooke Cully who gained her cap for Ulster in the U17 squad this year. Brooke had some very talented younger players around her from the year below, these girls have a thirst for success after having won the All Ireland Cup in 2006. Despite spending the greater part of their training on the hockey pitch they still achieve a high standard on the netball court. Lauren Mawhinney in year 12 is another very strong player excelling at both disciplines. Lauren has been the creative player setting up attack from the mid-court. The highlight of the season has to be a clear win over St. Macnissis at the area finals in January.

(Inter team players)
Karen Glass,
Brooke Cully (capt.),
Penny Brown,
Lauren Mawhinney,
Sarah Agnew,
Sarah Craig,
Ashleigh Wilson,
Jordan Jones,
Victoria Potter,
Lynsey Mawhinney

The Senior squad played a small number of fixtures in the early months of the year. Numbers are lacking for this age group so the focus was given to the younger teams.
This was unfortunate for Cheryl Wilson who is really in a league of her own training with the U21 squad this season. We wish her the very best with her career in netball when she moves on from school.

The Minor team have had a mixed season of results. Having performed only moderately well in the N.I. League the team had another attempt at pulling things together and continued to train at every opportunity. The ‘B’ team players used the Six Mile Leisure Centre facility along with the Year 10 and year 8 ‘B’ team players and all worked together. The older players were a great help to the younger ones, giving coaching advice, speeding up match play and generally setting a good example for practice. The extra practice paid off and the ‘A’ team were proud to take away silver medals at the NEBSSA Tournament held at the high school at the end of the season.

( team list)
Zoe Cummings,
Jessica Clarke,
Sophie Conway,
Joanna McAteer,
Jasmine Hunter,
Gillian McCloy,
Julia Coulter,
Sophie Flynn,
Lauren Stewart.
Kimberly Blain.

Finally we come to the year 8’s. I’m reluctant to name a squad here as there have been so many girls who have shown an interest by coming along to training. The girls have been very flexible with arrangements and some have learned how to balance hockey, netball and cross country training every week, along with all the other things first year girls do!
The year 8’s only play in the NEBSSA league. I am pleased to say they were unbeaten in this competition and show much potential for the years ahead.

As a foot note to this report I would like to take the opportunity to thank parents for their support throughout the season. Arrangements often have to be changed at the last minute and this is never a problem for the Ballyclare girls who go out of their way to be helpful and to make things work. Well done to all those involved this year.