Special guest Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Beth Adger MBE and Ballymena Squash Club committee members Mark McKane, Hugo Carlin and Stephen Smyth.
Ballymena Squash Club marked a significant milestone recently, celebrating its first anniversary by hosting the mid-season Ulster Squash Open at the Seven Towers Leisure Centre on Saturday, January 18.
The event doubled as a Northwest League team tournament, bringing together squash enthusiasts from across the province.
The tournament featured six teams, including established clubs like Mid-Ulster from Cookstown, Foyle, Limavady, and the host Ballymena, which fielded two teams. The "Rest of the Northwest" team was a unique blend, including a player from Larne, an additional player from Cookstown, and other local enthusiasts.
Participants and guests greeted by Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Beth Adger MBE.
With 24 players competing, the atmosphere was electric, enhanced by spectators, special guests, and even surprise visitors. The facilities at Seven Towers Leidure Centre were praised for their suitability for hosting such an event, with many participants complimenting the court layout and playing conditions.
Local club members added to the day's success by providing refreshments, with sausage rolls from Harryville's Iron's Bakery being a particular hit among guests.
The highlight of the day was the presence of the Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Beth Adger MBE, who attended at noon to watch matches and later delivered an inspiring speech.
Alderman Adger emphasised the importance of growing the sport locally, particularly in Larne and Carrickfergus, with Ballymena acting as a hub. The mayor also committed to supporting the search for a permanent home for Ballymena squash.
Special guests, left to right: Myron Evans, Hugo Carling, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Beth Adger MBE and Alec Richardson.
Adding to the nostalgic feel, local squash legends Alec Richardson and Myron Evans, both in their 80s and former representatives of Ireland, graced the event. They reminisced about the heyday of squash in Ballymena when court bookings were a two-week wait, applauding the vibrant atmosphere of the current tournament.
The competition format was adjusted due to time constraints; initially set for 'best of 5' games, it was reduced to 'best of 3' for the round-robin stage and even 'best of 1' for some playoffs. Despite this, the final rankings were competitive with Mid-Ulster C retaining their title, followed by Ballymena A, Limavady, Ballymena B, Foyle, and the Rest of the Northwest.
Looking forward, the club has ambitious plans for 2025. They aim to introduce box leagues, fundraise for the 'Free Court 3' campaign to refurbish and clear storage from one of the courts, and schedule more taster sessions for youth groups in the local area including the Scouts, BB, GB and any others showing interest in participating.
Mid-Ulster and Ballymena team members.
Ballymena A and other Teams. Left to right: Geoff Smyth, Tobias Kolb, Mark McKane, Hugo Carlin, Leslie Gordon, Jonny Workman, Stephen Smyth and Gareth Wright.
Mid-Ulster C team, tournament champions. Left to right: Neal Copeland, Stewart Harding, Kirsten Livingstone, Emma-Louis Kells and Malcolm Waterson.
A follow-up meeting with council representatives is also on the agenda to further secure a dedicated venue for Ballymena squash.
The day was not just about competition but also about community, celebrating both the sport's past and its future in Ballymena.