NEWS

Back in the Game Ballymena representatives Ian Getty (right) and Gary McFetridge (left with Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Councillor Jackson Minford Back in the Game Ballymena has underlined the importance of community connection and men’s mental wellbeing after attending a major wellbeing event in Ballymena. The local group was invited to take part in the annual ‘Wellbeing Monday’ event, hosted by Radius and Triangle Housing Associations, working in partnership with Turning P

Norman McBurney OBE at the renamed home stand in the main arena at Ballymena Showgrounds, in his honour. The home stand at Ballymena Showgrounds has been officially renamed the Norman McBurney OBE Stand, marking a significant civic tribute to one of Mid and East Antrim’s most influential business and sporting figures. The formal naming ceremony took place on Thursday, 23 January 2026, celebrating the lifetime contribution of the Co Antrim businessman whose impact has spanned

Ballymena Elim Church is set to host a special evening of reflection and inspiration this weekend as former Ballymena United and Crusaders manager Roy Walker shares his life story with the local community. The latest instalment of the church’s Life Stories series will take place on Sunday 25 January at 6:30pm , offering the opportunity to hear first-hand from one of Northern Ireland’s most recognisable sporting figures. Roy Walker is widely known across Northern Ireland’s spo

Proposed south elevation of new sports pavilion A planning application has been submitted for the development of a new two-storey indoor sports pavilion within the grounds school in Ballymena, marking a significant investment in modern sporting facilities for pupils and the wider community. The proposal, lodged for Ballymena Academy on Galgorm Road, seeks full planning permission for a purpose-built sports facility designed to replace existing temporary modular buildings curr

Commonwealth Games Northern Ireland (CGNI) has confirmed that the Ulster Banner will continue to be used as the flag representing Northern Ireland athletes at the Commonwealth Games, following formal guidance from the Minister for Communities. The decision brings to an end days of intense political scrutiny and public debate after proposals emerged suggesting the traditional flag could be replaced with a corporate-style logo. In a statement issued on Tuesday (13 January 2026)

Inset: North Antrim TUV MP Jim Allister The decision to end the use of the Ulster Banner as the flag representing Northern Ireland athletes at the Commonwealth Games has sparked a strong political backlash, with unionist representatives accusing organisers of unnecessary and divisive political interference. TUV leader Jim Allister MP said he was “deeply disappointed” by the move, warning that the controversy risked overshadowing the sporting achievements of athletes due to

Ballymena Runners have announced the return of their popular Cosy Sofa programme for 2026, offering local people the chance to take their first steps into running in a friendly, supportive and community-focused environment. The eight-week programme will run from Tuesday 6 January to Tuesday 3 March 2026 , with weekly sessions beginning at 7:00pm in the Sports Zone Hall at Northern Regional College (NRC), Ballymena. Parking will be available at the Ballymena Showgrounds, acces

Anglers from across the North West and beyond are being encouraged to mark their calendars following confirmation of dates for the North West Angling Fair 2026, one of Northern Ireland’s premier fishing events. Derry City and Strabane District Council has announced that the popular fair will take place on Saturday, March 28th and Sunday, March 29th, 2026, returning to Strabane with a move to the newly refurbished Melvin Sports Complex. Organisers say the 2026 edition promises

Peter Willis will line up in the Pirelli British Sportbike Championship next season, joining the CFMOTO Sportbike team, after many successful competing in the R&G British Talent Cup. Teenage racing prospect Peter Willis has been confirmed as the latest addition to the CFMOTO Sportbike team for the 2026 British racing season, marking a significant step up in his rapidly progressing motorsport career. The 17-year-old rider from Cullybackey, County Antrim, joins the team after s

Members of Alliance Amateur Swim club, winners of the £1000 Hafner’s Sports Grant. Alliance Amateur Swim Club has been awarded £1,000 through the Hafner’s Sausages Sports Fund 2025, as part of a £5,000 initiative supporting grassroots sport across Northern Ireland. The Antrim-based club is one of five local organisations to receive the funding, alongside North Down Softball Club in Bangor, St Patrick’s Football Club in Castlederg, Redmond O’Hanlon’s GAC in Poyntzpass , and E

Sparky, the Budget Energy mascot, joins players as the Budget Energy SuperCupNI confirms the eight Northern Ireland representatives for the 2026 Boys’ Minor Section, the first official team announcement ahead of next summer’s 43rd edition of the tournament. Pictured left to right are Callum McCabe (Rosario YFC) , Dylan Harkin (Maiden City), Archie Muir (Ballymena United) , Flynn Johnston (Cliftonville), Luke Duddy (Linfield) , Lorcàn Duffy (Newell Academy), Ben Robinson (Glen

BBC Sport NI’s Stephen Watson, left, presents Rory McIlroy with the BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year award for 2025 Masters Champion Rory McIlroy has been named BBC Northern Ireland Sports Personality of the Year for 2025 , capping a remarkable season that has already secured his place among golf’s all-time greats. The Holywood man enjoyed a year for the ages, headlined by a dramatic play-off victory at the Masters in Augusta in April. That win saw McIlroy

Nominations for the prestigious Mid and East Antrim Sports Awards 2026 will open in early January, offering residents the chance to celebrate the Borough’s outstanding sporting stars, teams, coaches and volunteers. Organised by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, the annual awards shine a spotlight on those who have demonstrated exceptional achievement, dedication and service across the local sporting landscape — from grassroots participation to elite performance. The awards

Minister Muir met Joshua Busteed from Coleraine and Mya Nixon from Ballyclare , Level 2 Horticulture students during a visit to Greenkeeping and Golf Academy at Greenmount Campus. The students are completing a one-year cadetship programme generously supported by Golf Ireland. DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has underlined the growing importance of sustainability and skills development within Northern Ireland’s sports turf sector during a visit to the 2025 Turf Matters event at CA

(L-R) – Adam Keefe, Head Coach, Belfast Giants; and Steve Thornton, Sports Director, The Odyssey Trust with the 2026 3ICE World Cup logo outside The SSE Arena, Belfast. The SSE Arena, Belfast is set to take centre stage on the global ice hockey calendar after being confirmed as the host venue for the inaugural 3ICE World Cup, scheduled to take place on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July 2026. The announcement, made by The Odyssey Trust, marks a major sporting milestone for Northern

Oran Kearney, appointed Ballymena United first team manager Ballymena United Football Club has confirmed the appointment of Oran Kearney as the club’s new first team manager, marking a significant moment for the Sky Blues as they look to strengthen their position heading into the second half of the season. Kearney, 47, brings extensive managerial expertise to the Ballymena Showgrounds following successful spells at Limavady United, Coleraine and Scottish Premiership side St

North Ballymena Rangers Football Club has confirmed a major milestone in its rapid rise, after securing a 25-year lease for Smithfield Playing Field with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. The agreement, approved at Monday night’s Full Council meeting, is being hailed by the club as the beginning of a transformative new chapter. In a statement, the club said it was “very enthusiastic about this development, as it marks the beginning of a new era for our Club with the acqu

Ballymena’s young star Kain Stewart, presented with the WKO Grand Champion belt, alongside medals and certificates, which were presented by WKO UK President Jon Green Ballymena’s rising star Kain Stewart, aged 10 and from Foxton Wood Square, has capped off an extraordinary year by being crowned WKO Grand Champion at the WKO Grand Prix awards ceremony in Barnsley on Saturday evening, 29 November. Kain’s dominance throughout the season saw him rise to the top of the 10–11-year

Ballymena United Football Club has announced that first team manager Jim Ervin has departed the club, bringing an end to his two and a half years in charge at the Showgrounds. In a statement issued on Monday morning, the club confirmed the decision and expressed deep gratitude for Ervin’s service — both as a manager and as a respected former player. The board said it wished to place on record its “upmost thanks to Jim and his staff for their efforts and support during his two

(L-R) are: Northern Ireland - 12 year old Megan McCabe from west Belfast, who plays for Linfield and the Irish FA’s Performance Programme which is based at Ulster University’s Jordanstown Campus; Wales - Sophia Huntley aged 9 who plays for Buckley Town, a thriving club with a committed volunteer base; Scotland - Erin Smith , who plays for Clark Drive and is in the South West Emerging Talent Centre programme; and England - Victoria Jones , 14 years old from Liverpool and