The Youth Academy Awards dinner will take place on Saturday 18th June in the Marine Hotel.
Tickets can be reserved using the following form.
Tickets are paid for on the evening.
Dress Code: Dress to impress.
You can check your order at the following page.
If you make a reservation by mistake please email [email protected]il.com
The seniors & youth academy are running a fundraising Fantasy football competition for the Euros.
Entry is £10 with half of all proceeds going towards 1,2,3,4 prizes.
To get started just create your team at http://eurofantasy.uefa.com/
To get the league code PM this page or contact a committee member.
Over 40 kids and parents set off from the top of Dunamallaght amid near perfect weather conditions.
All of the kids and parents made it half way before the older kids split from the rest of the group and made for the top.
The going was slow but the feeling that the kids had when reaching the top was well worth it.
Many thanks to all the parents who helped out on the day and braved the climb to the top.
Also a huge thank you to all the kids who were exemplary in their behavior and who put in an incredible effort in trying to find sponsors.
Some pictures from the day:
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The full route for the older kids is about 6 miles (allow about 2-2.5 hours).
We will be meeting at 10.30am at the top of Dunamallaght, there is roadside parking at the top of the hill.
Please bring a packed lunch including water.
Also please dress appropriately i.e. suitable footwear, dress in layers.
The sponsorship down can be downloaded and printed from this link:
The map of the walk can be found below.
Created 09.10.14 by guest
Knocklayde – Ballycastle United Youth Academy Sponsored Walk
The new committee was voted in and discussions were started on which age groups would be running next season.
The club are hoping to run competitive teams at the following age groups:
U15 (2000)
U13 (2002)
U11 (2004)
U9 (2006)
Mini Soccer (non-competitive)
There were a number of expressions of interest from people looking to help out at these ages but we are now looking to confirm coaches for our next meeting on Monday 4th August. We especially need volunteers at the U13 and U11 age groups, please contact us through our Facebook page or by email if you are available to help.
Below are is a summary of the secretary’s report for the 2013/2014 season:
It has been a great year for the youth academy. At the same point last year there was virtually no committee, £20 in the bank, and little future for the academy.
– Now well over 120 fully registered players.
– A healthy bank balance.
– Purchased equipment to be reused in the following seasons.
– Kitted out the teams in new kits and hoodies.
– 5 coaches completed their IFA level 1 badges.
– Nearly all the coaches are now fully access NI checked.
– Funding secured from the Dept of social development to put even more coaches through their IFA coaching badges in the following season.
There is a lot for the committee and coaches to feel proud but also much for the parents to feel proud of:
– Parents have shown their support of the club, coaches and kids throughout the year. We would not run without their generosity.
o From turning up at matches to support.
o Using their cars free of charge to transport kids to matches.
o Most importantly for supporting the coaches at every turn, providing encouragement to the kids while, at the same time, not undermining the coaches.
But the biggest difference in the club has been the progression of the kids themselves:
– The U13 and U15 teams has their first seasons in the North West Colerain & District youth leagues and, against all odds, managed to beat most of the teams in their respective leagues. This achievement should not be understated as they were playing against many established teams like Coleraine FC and Ballymoney United whose teams have been playing with each other for years.
– The U11 team managed to win 3rd and 5th place at the local MDC-PSNI 5-A-Side football finals.
– The mini soccer setup has seen a huge explosion in numbers and talent. We are so oversubscribed at the minute that we will have to close registrations next season if we cannot source more help. The progression in the kids has been unbelievable, So much so that we are looking at the possibility of entering the 2006 age range in competitive competition at Ballysally next season.
I think it is worth remembering that everything at the club is voluntary. The coaches and committee use their own time and resources to coach and transport the kids. The parents have been extremely generous with their time and resources too.
It has enabled us to channel every single penny that the club receives for the youth academy directly back into the academy.
Even though it has been a exceptional year we will still have a few challenges for next season:
– We need volunteers. The mini soccer needs more coaches and the other teams need to bolster coach numbers to take some pressure off of them. As mentioned we have funding secured for coaching badges and we would try to get new coaches on these courses as a token of our commitment to them.
– Committee. The committee is very small so we would really welcome anyone who thinks they would have something to offer at committee level. It is not a huge commitment, we meet for an hour at most once a month.
– AccessNi and Child protection. Most of the coaches do already have their AccessNi and we have very good child protection procedures, but we need to make sure that ALL coaches and volunteers are covered for the new season.
– Costs. Without the grants and extra fundraising we would probably be struggling financially this season. Our biggest bill is to MDC for the astro turf, we should use the astro turf sparingly in the new season due to the huge costs.
So to sum up, we have come a long way from last season. I am proud to have been secretary for the year and I hope everyone else involved from coaches, parents and kids feel proud of themselves of what they have helped to achieve.
On Saturday evening all the youth soccer players, parents and coaches gathered together to celebrate a tremendous year and to reward the efforts of the players.
Due to the numbers, the annual presentation night was held in two sections on the Saturday evening.
The mini soccer participants went first and received their trophies, medals and goody bags (courtesy of Boyle’s Spar) for their efforts over the year. The club also presented a special award to remember young Logan Crawford. The annual ‘Logan Crawford Memorial Shield’ was awarded to someone who demonstrated a zest for life. Someone who lives each day to the fullest, who grasps the opportunities they are given, in particular, by making the most of their time at the mini soccer sessions. Essentially someone who embodies the spirit of Logan Crawford. This year’s award went to Chloe Jamison.
The U11, U13 and U15s went next and received their well deserved rewards for their exceptional performances while competing in the Coleraine & North West District Youth league.
The club would like to thank everyone involved in making the evening happen, in particular McQuillans GAC, Boyle’s Spar, The Golden Chip and RD Engraving. Special thanks also to all the parents and coaches who gave up their time and, often expense, to help throughout the year, in all conditions, to help make the club what it is today.
The club is also looking for volunteers and new coaches for the forthcoming season. If you feel that you would be able to help out then please contact us on our Facebook page or attend the youth academy’s AGM (taking place on Monday 21st July, 7pm, Sheskburn Recreation Centre). As with all our coaches, access ni checks will be arranged and IFA coaching will be provided to regular coaches.
For updates about the AGM, and all other Ballycastle United related news including pre-season training teams, please keep an eye on the club’s popular Facebook page: facebook.com/BallycastleUnited
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Five dedicated academy coaches took time out from their busy lives and, over the space of three weeks in April, completed their IFA Level 1 coaching badges. The coaches received up-to-date training on topics such as child protection and training practices from IFA representative Wes Gregg at Cullybackey in Ballymena.
The club would like to thank the coaches for giving up their time to improve the quality of coaching at the club, an activity that will ultimately benefit the burgeoning number of local children who enjoy the coaching sessions weekly.
We would also like to thank the Department of social development, whose financial assistance helped to offset the costs for the course.
The mini soccer kids will be joining the kids from the hurling and camogie clubs and parading from 1.30pm from the Dalriada hospital down to Quay road playing fields. At 2pm there will be matches on the main pitch and Thompson’s field for the U13,U11,U9,U8, and U7s.
The senior team (plus veterans who want to play) will be playing a charity fundraising challenge match against a Cushendall select this Saturday 10.30am Thompsons Field. The club are hoping to raise much needed funds for the Wee Nic Fighting Neuroblastoma campaign. All donations for this great cause will be gratefully accepted.
The U15 team will also be playing a league match on the main pitch at 11am.
Dalriada HospitalDirections to Quay Road
N.B. Car parking at Quay road may be congested in the afternoon so we suggest parking at either Sheskburn council offices or Ann Street car park.
Not be be outdone by the successes on the field of the u15 and U13 teams, the mini soccer section (ages 6-9) are currently investing in the future talent of the area. Last week, the mini soccer kids, with generous sponsorship from Boyle’s Spar, each received their very own Ballycastle United hoodie. 
On top of this, the club are investing in the skills of the clubs’ hardworking, dedicated coaches by paying for five of them to achieve their IFA coaching badges in April.
The mini soccer coaches have been hard at work since last summer to enable as many kids as possible to play and learn soccer in a fun environment. The mini soccer section has grown incredibly since the summer and is now a victim of its own success by having just about as many kids as the coaches can handle. 
We are always on the lookout for additional coaches and helpers so please contact us ([email protected]) if you, or someone you know, would like to help out.
The continued bad weather means that we are still in CPC hall for the sessions until springtime.
Remember to return all registration forms asap (as all registered mini soccer participants will be receiving their free branded hoodie in the next few weeks).
Registration forms can be downloaded from the following link .
