Ballymena Netball star Katie Allen has been selected to represent Northern Ireland at the upcoming U19 Europe Netball Event this incoming week.
The Europe Netball event will take place on 14th-15th December at the Oriam National Sports Performance Centre in Edinburgh, Scotland, with teams taking part including Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Republic of Ireland, Gibraltar, France, and Isle of Man.
Seven Towers Netball Club and Former Ballymena Academy Netballer Katie is a solid defender who will be playing for Northern Ireland U19 squad.
Katie’s coach Julie-Anne Cairns had this to say about the young star’s international success:
"Katie has always excelled in this sport. It wasn't always plain sailing, but she had an incredible attitude where if she got a setback, she came to me asking for more work, more 1-2-1 sessions, increased her work load to improve and she has worked hard for where she is today.
“Katie never gave up and she never let a ‘no’ get in her way, she worked harder and smarter. What people don't see behind international success is what it takes to get there, most people want the results but they don't have what it takes to go through the process to get those results, and no usually that means they give up.
“Katie has the right attitude to succeed and I always knew that her call up to represent Northern Ireland at a major tournament would come. It is more than talent, Katie has talent and potential in bucket loads, she always has, for this level of success, it must be a way of life.
“I am sure that this is only the first of many Major International series for Katie. I have the pleasure of coaching Katie at club and was her former school Ballymena Academy coach, also her 1-2-1 performance coach to ensure she is consistently hitting her targets, I have never known a more dedicated player to this sport and to her National Representation. Katie is an asset to any team and we are all truly very proud of her.”
The young Ballymena woman has enjoyed international Netball since she was 14 years old. She was successful at her first Northern Ireland U15 trials and from there she progressed quickly. Katie was elevated within a few short months to the Northern Ireland U17 Development Squad where she enjoyed a tour to play Isle of Man, a fixture against Ireland and some friendly fixtures to prepare her for Future International Success.
Katie is kindly sponsored by Ballymena Causeway Coast and Glens Credit Union.