SLIDESHOW: Ballymena United Youth Academy Mini Soccer prize night

Ballymena United Youth Academy celebrated the achievements of its Mini Soccer section on Wednesday night at the Ballymena Showgrounds.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Jun 2015, 14:00 BST
Ballymena Youth Academy 2006 age group players at their prize evening with Mo McDowell and Matthew Tipton. INBT 23-816HBallymena Youth Academy 2006 age group players at their prize evening with Mo McDowell and Matthew Tipton. INBT 23-816H
Ballymena Youth Academy 2006 age group players at their prize evening with Mo McDowell and Matthew Tipton. INBT 23-816H

Players, parents and friends gathered at the Des Allen Suite to look back on the past year.

The event followed on from the main BUYA awards night the previous week.

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With player development the key focus at this end of the Academy, Senior Coach Mo McDowell and first team player Matthew Tipton were on hand to give out trophies to each player.

Ballymena Youth Academy 2006 age group players at their prize evening with Mo McDowell and Matthew Tipton. INBT 23-816HBallymena Youth Academy 2006 age group players at their prize evening with Mo McDowell and Matthew Tipton. INBT 23-816H
Ballymena Youth Academy 2006 age group players at their prize evening with Mo McDowell and Matthew Tipton. INBT 23-816H

The 2005 or Under 10 age group is the last age group of mini soccer before the players move on to 9 a side squads.

At this age group the players pick up individual awards and the following boys took home the silverware,

Ballymena United

Most Improved Player - Mason Hume

Top Goal Scorer - Mark McClean

Players Player of the Year - Ben Davidson

Player of the Year - Ben Davidson & Ryan Clarke

Ballymena Town

Most Improved Player - Sam Rock

Top Goal Scorer - Joshua Stewart

Players Player of the Year - Matthew McConnell

Player of the Year - Matthew McConnell

The Youth Academy used the night to once again celebrate the life and contribution of Wes Gregg in the area.

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As well as announcing the Wesley Gregg tournament, which will take place later in the year, Wes’ two sons Chris and Ricky and brother Dennis came along to present the inaugural Wesley Gregg Award to a very happy Carter Shields.

The perpetual award will be presented annually to an Under 8 player who demonstrates a high level of commitment, effort, determination and skill along with showing a sporting attitude.

That inaugural award was a major highlight on an evening which once again showcased the talent within the youngest age groups within the Ballymena United Youth Academy family.

All in all it was a very successful evening with all the players going home happy and looking forward to a new season in Sky Blue.

Related topics:Matthew Tipton