Once again Ballymena Hockey Club is enjoying great success through their ‘mini’ grassroots programme working with primary school aged children in the Ballymena borough.
Since September this year, 120 children have come to the showgrounds weekly for hockey coaching and to have fun. This year the age was dropped to include Primary 1 pupils and already there are 20 children in the P1/2 group.
Organisers of ‘Bring a Parent’ Day in November were pleased with the support shown by the 50 parents who stayed for some ‘light’ hockey matches although some parents certainly showed their competitive side as they played against their own children!
On Friday night past, Eaton Park was the venue for a joint mini hockey and rugby Christmas party. This proved to be as successful as in previous years and also highlights the link that has existed for years between the two clubs.
Ballymena Hockey Club has always seen the importance of starting an interest in hockey at an early age and is grateful to the eight adult coaches who so willingly share their love of the game – Mary Glass, Hazel Hutchinson, Joanne Cameron, Becky Kernohan, Joanne Logan, Sarah Lloyd, Susie Houston and Alister Hanna. There are also a dozen girls from the U15 squads who assist as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme which they are striving towards through the different schools they attend within the town.
Mini co-ordinator, Mary Glass, expressed her thanks to all those who make mini hockey happen. “We are indebted to coaches and parent volunteers who help out each week but we would love to see more parents helping out, especially with the younger children. We have a development programme laid out for volunteers so if anyone can lend a hand please speak to me at one of our sessions.”
The club are also excited about the opportunities that are opening up for the older minis to be able to participate in competitive matches with other clubs. Fixtures are currently being arranged so that teams of children from the P4 to P7 age groups can experience a bit more from the sport as they play in under 9, under 10 and under 11 squads. There is also a mini blitz organised by the Ulster Hockey Union in the new year, held at Meadowbank, and Ballymena will be there along with many clubs from all over Ulster. “These matches will be one of the highlights of this year’s programme as it is something new but is also a huge chance for these girls to put into practice what they have been learning, not just over the past couple of months but some members have been with us for up to 6 years,” explained Mary Glass.
The club has also been pleased to be part of Ballymena Borough Council’s Community Sport Programme. Senior member, Becky Kernohan, has been running sessions for school children at the muga pitch in Wakehurst, bringing hockey opportunities to the Harryville and Ballee areas of the town. These sessions will begin again at the start of February 2011. The local council have supported the club’s efforts in many ways for years and it is hoped that together, similar programmes and initiatives will run throughout the borough.
Mini hockey will recommence on Friday 14th January and any new members will be made welcome. It is open to all levels of ability, no one is ever turned away. Parents are reminded that kit can be bought from Style and Sport, Church Street, Ballymena.
