A busy time of ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ at Eaton Park

The first day of June is an important date in the calendar of any Rugby club in the province, as it marks the cut-off date for players transferring from one club to another, although players arriving from overseas operate under different arrangements.

By then coaches and managers know, more or less, who they will have at their disposal for the incoming season and can start to make plans, which is what out three coaches, Andy, Nicky and Brian, have already been doing.

I suppose it is in the nature of coaches and supporters to be optimistic in the weeks leading up to a new season, but I would have to say that I am looking forward to it and share that feeling of optimism.

Some players have left the club; Callum Patterson and Ian Vance have taken a year out to complete their studies at University, while Stephen Mulholland, Nicholas Stirling and Jack Fleming have decided to play their rugby elsewhere.

At the end of the 2013 season, with relegation looming, and the certainty that we would be playing in Division 2A next year, with those few exceptions the current crop of players rallied round and declared their hand for Ballymena. That is great news, because I am convinced that we have a really talented group of players who gained a lot of experience from their time in Division 1, and who will bring that experience into play next season. The average age of the team last season was in the very early twenties, and there is no doubt that the extra year will make a big difference, physically and mentally.

We should also welcome back from injury Simone Shawe, whose influence on the team is enormous, and Timothy Small, who is on his way back after a spell in Australia, where his talent was recognised by his selection for the Brumbies Under 20 squad. Welcome back too to David O’Hara, returning after a spell with CIYMS and to Adam Cupples, Chris Cundell and Andrew Kerr, all previous members of the 1st XV, who have completed their studies and will resume playing.

New blood is always welcome, and at the moment we know that joining us will be Paddy James, a centre and Peter Ireland a back row forward, both from Ballynahinch, Glen Bailey From UCC, Richard McCrudden and Chris Watson, currently playing for Ballymoney.

I became Chairman in late May, and foolishly thought that there might be a ‘honeymoon’ period when I could break myself in gently. It hasn’t quite worked out like that, and I have been spending a lot of time taking forward our new floodlighting scheme. This is a very exciting development, which under an Enabling Scheme with Ballymena Borough Council, will provide match quality floodlights for the 1st XV pitch, something which is set out as a basic provision in the document recently published by the IRFU called “Club Sustainability”.

To date the consultants on the scheme have been appointed and have started work, and last Friday we went through the rigorous process of appointing the firm that will write the business plan and the economic appraisal. There are a few more stages to go through and some issues to resolve, but if all goes according to plan the lights should be operational by November this year. Something else to look forward to!