The finalists of the Beginners and Intermediate plate and shield competitions. Steven Purvis, Malcolm Watterson, William Nicholson, Brendan Murphy, Cllr Eugene Molloy, Emma Louise Kells, Brian Campbell, Kirstin Livingstone and Hugo Carlin.
The Ballymena Squash Club made a memorable debut at the 8th annual Nick Hastings Memorial Squash Tournament, held at the Cookstown Leisure Centre from August 19th to August 24th.
The event, organised by the Mid-Ulster Squash Club, not only showcased competitive squash but also raised funds for Charis Cancer Care through a prize raffle.
Five players from Ballymena - Robert Maben, Davy McKillen, Daniel McKane, Mark McKane, and Hugo Carlin - participated in the Beginners draw, demonstrating both skill and sportsmanship across several evenings of intense play.
The tournament kicked off with a 'round robin' format on Monday, grouping 16 players into four to determine seedings for the subsequent knockout stages.
By Wednesday, the competition heated up with a knockout stage where matches were played to 15 points, incorporating handicaps to level the playing field. Ballymena's representatives showed their mettle, with four players advancing to the semi-finals in both the plate and shield categories.
The highlight for Ballymena came when Hugo Carlin not only reached the finals but clinched the championship in a nail-biting best of five games against Kirstyn Livingston from Bangor.
Finalists of the Beginners Shield, Hugo Carlin and Kirstin Livingstone.
Hugo Carlin receiving the winners plate from Jeremy Hastings, brother of the late Nick Hastings.
The final, which adopted a first-to-11 points format, was described as 'tight' by spectators, with Carlin emerging victorious.
The event was graced by the chair of the local council in Cookstown, who launched the finals. The chair praised the efforts of the Mid-Ulster Squash Club in promoting sports and pledged ongoing support and sponsorship for future events. The tournament also benefited from local business sponsorships, which contributed to the raffle prizes and the BBQ, ensuring that most of the funds raised could go directly to charity.
Ballymena Squash Club, known for its community-focused, intergenerational approach, invites everyone to join their sessions at the Seven Towers Leisure Centre every Monday evening from 6:15pm to 8:30pm, from September through June.
The local club's successful participation in the tournament not only highlights their growing prowess in the sport but also their commitment to community and charity involvement.
The Nick Hastings Memorial Squash Tournament has once again proven to be a significant event for squash enthusiasts, combining competitive sport with community spirit and charitable giving, setting a fine example for sports events everywhere.