Annual coaching event will go on as tribute to Wes

A popular annual football event in Ballymena will go ahead as usual this summer - despite the untimely passing of its organiser.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Jun 2015, 07:00 BST
Ballykeel PS pupils Amy Simpson, Adam McFall, Lemar Manson and Chloe Stirrup, pictured along with Ally McIlroy (Active Communities Multi Sport Coach), Ian Getty (IFA Coach) and Mo McDowell (IFA Primary School Coach) at the launch of the IFA Nutty Krust coaching weeks in Ballymena. The annual events will go ahead this year as a tribute to organiser Wes Gregg, who passed away recently. INBT25-246ACBallykeel PS pupils Amy Simpson, Adam McFall, Lemar Manson and Chloe Stirrup, pictured along with Ally McIlroy (Active Communities Multi Sport Coach), Ian Getty (IFA Coach) and Mo McDowell (IFA Primary School Coach) at the launch of the IFA Nutty Krust coaching weeks in Ballymena. The annual events will go ahead this year as a tribute to organiser Wes Gregg, who passed away recently. INBT25-246AC
Ballykeel PS pupils Amy Simpson, Adam McFall, Lemar Manson and Chloe Stirrup, pictured along with Ally McIlroy (Active Communities Multi Sport Coach), Ian Getty (IFA Coach) and Mo McDowell (IFA Primary School Coach) at the launch of the IFA Nutty Krust coaching weeks in Ballymena. The annual events will go ahead this year as a tribute to organiser Wes Gregg, who passed away recently. INBT25-246AC

The sudden death of local Irish FA coach Wes Gregg last month stunned the local footballing community - and also cast doubt over whether the annual IFA Nutty Krust Holiday Camp would take place.

The holiday camp is run over two separate weeks in July and August and regularly features around 100 children, making it one of the biggest of its kind in the Province.

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And the good news is that the event will continue as normal this summer, under the leadership of joint co-ordinators Ian Getty and IFA Primary School coach Mo McDowell.

“After the initial shock of Wes’s death, we realised the summer camp was a bit up in the air and we had quite a lot of parents contacting us to ask if it was going ahead as normal.

“We’re delighted to confirm that the IFA has handed over the running of the event to us and we’re very honoured by that.

“We’re very determined to maintain Wes’ legacy and the good work that he did in Ballymena

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“The kids’ enjoyment is of paramount importance and we don’t want to let anyone down.

“It may well be that by next year, there might be someone in place to run it but our focus is on ensuring this years event is a success, as a tribute to Wes.

“As well as the children, The coaching team that Wes assembled are really determined to maintain his legacy because he was such a brilliant mentor to them.

“Even since I have told people that this Summer Fun Week is taking place, the offers of help I have received from the Showgrounds staff and other people have been incredible - it just shows the esteem in which Wes was held,” added Ian.

This year’s camps run from July 6-10 and August 17-21.

Related topics:BallymenaProvince