Ballymena RFC Senior Squad continues their pre-season preparations in an opposed training session with top Dublin side Clontarf, at Eaton Park on Saturday 16th August. This will be an opportunity to see most of the new players performing in close on match conditions and to get up to speed with the new law changes.
Training has been well supported to date with some tough fitness work, under the supervision of new conditioning coach, Chris Galway. Chris is a past player at Ballymena RFC and currently holds the position of Director of Rugby at the University of Ulster.
The players now have an opportunity to stake their place in the squad for the opening Ulster League Match away to Ards on 30 August and the opening home match at Eaton Park against Ballynahinch on 13th September.
New players include back row men David Bradford, Tommy Booth, Scott Shannon and Michael Barber, wing Nigel Hall, and front row men Stephen Ferguson and Connor Brown. David Bradford was a member of the Irish U19 World Cup squad in 2007 and joins the Club from Malone, Tommy Booth played his rugby with Bath University and Michael Barber with Cardiff University. Nigel Hall joins from Coleraine, Stephen Ferguson from City of Derry and Connor Brown from Dungannon.
In addition, Ulster Academy has placed Ian Whitten (Centre) and Tommy Seymour (Wing) with Ballymena, to join Jamie Smith and Stephen Douglas. Both these players are exciting prospects, Tommy is a big strong running wing having played Division 2 rugby with Ballynahinch, and Ian a very skillfull centre who is at present training with the full Ulster squad.
Senior Ulster Players Chris Henry, Seamus Mallon along with Bryan Young and Matt McCullough, stay associated with the Club and are joined by the returning Ian Humpherys.
The Club has seen changes in the senior officials with Dr Syd Millar returning as President and Ray Buchanan becoming the new Chairman. Two new Directorates have been formed, Communications and Functions headed by Les McCracken and David Beggs respectively.
Construction industries Patton Group commence their second year as Principal sponsor and their continued support is greatly appreciated by the Club
The Club intend to run a full day of events on September 20th (Ballymena v Belfast Harlequins) with various activities throughout the day, along with evening entertainment. Details of which will be circulated later.
The Club would also like to advise anybody who would like to join in the less serious side of the game, that Wednesday evening ‘touch’ rugby continues this season, starting at 7.30. Why not come along and try it out, the ‘craic’ is good and you get a bit of exercise as well!
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