PICTURE GALLERY: Ballymena Sports Awards

The borough's sports stars were commended at the 12th Ballymena Sports Awards-held in the Braid complex- as the event once again proved itself to be the occassion of the sporting calender.

Former heroes, current stars, celebrities and councillors all came out to celebrate what has been a fantastic year for sport in Ballymena.

Concerns had been raised that the event might have been disrupted due to a protest from Wakehurst Users Group who are concerned about the situation at Wakehurst playing fields. Despite making their complaints heard the evening went ahead with Ballymena's own Jackie Fullerton leading proceedings.

Mayor of Ballymena, Councillor James Currie said: "This event has been organised by Ballymena Borough Council to ackowledge and celebrate the great wealth of talent and commend the successes that have been achieved by our sporting community during 2009.

The Mayor outlined the fantastic work carried out by members and volunteers of the various sporting occassions

"This evening will showcase the talented athletes of the borough recognises the important contributions of our coaches, administrators and volunteers who carryout pivotal roles in the organisations. Helped these young people over the years. On behalf of everyone I say a very serious thank you," he added.

Anne Donaghy, Chief Executive and town clerk congratulated all the nominees and reiterated Ballymena Borough Council are dedicated to investing in sports at grass roots level.

The Mayor started the evening with two special achievement awards, presented to Brian Montgomery of the Saturday Morning soccer league and Ian Hunter, Chairman of Wakehurst Chairman Football Club. Both clubs were rewarded for 40 years of service to sport in the Borough.

The Des Allen Bursary was given to 15 year old Heather Carson from Ballymena and Antrim athletics club. Heather is making great strides in the 200 m and long jump and hopes to build on her success and move onto the 400m.

Junior Sportsperson of the Year (Sponsored by Flamingo Health & Fitness)

AARON Swan is on the road to achieving his aim of becoming a professional cyclist.

Twelve year old Aaron has had a very busy year competing in a total of 57 races and was rewarded for his hardwork, earning the Junior Sportsperson of the Year award.

The dedicated school boy who trains seven days a week has had an impressive 2009 collecting a of number of medals and race wins on a very competitive circuit.

Aaron achieved a silver medal in Wexford at the U12 All Ireland Time trial championships and a Gold at the U12 criterium Championships in Wexford.

He went on to win a gold medal in the U12 Road Race Title, All Ireland Champion of Champions title and cup, Runner-up in Ballymena Road Race league, Runner-up in Youth league and Winner of Schools Cup for Cambridge House.

33 of the Aaron's 57 races were National Youth Open races of which Aaron won 17 and finished on the podium on eight occasions.

Also short-lised:

Matthew Harkness (swimming); Martin McDonald (basketball); Matthew Robinson (tennis)

Ballymena Community Sports Award (Sponsored by Diamond Recruitment)

IN THE five years since Braid Amateur Boxing club began in Ballykeel, community spirit has been enhanced and many youngsters given a sense of acheivement, it was this contribution which earned the club the Ballymena Community Sports Award.

Chris Richmond who trains at the club accepted the award- in it's second year- and described it as a much welcome boost for the club and its 20+ members.

Braid has been regarded as a light for cross community work, with children from potentially Loyalist areas training with children from potentially Republican areas.

It is a credit to the club that boys who would have been deemed as lazy now have a get up and go attitude and a deeper understanding for discipline and respect for elders.

Also short-listed:

Julie Alexander (football/multi sport); John Clarke (football); David Toney (Jujitsu)

Coach of the Year (Sponsored by Wrightbus)

A LARGE cheer went up when Dermot Graham was announced as winner of the Coach of the Year award.

Dermot is the coach for St Mary's Gaelic Football Team who had an outstanding season in Division 2 of the Antrim All County League comprising of 50 teams.

The Ahoghill side incredibly gained promotion to Division One after spending just one year in the second division following promotion from the third tier the year before.

Ably assisted by his brother Colum, the team were defeated only once and modest Dermot was quick to heap praise on his players, he said: "This award is dedicated the award to the players, coaching is just coaching it is the players who do the job. Making a big step up this year and we will see how we do."

The team also competed in the Intermediate Championship comprising of over 50 teams and under Dermot's coaching the team beat neighbours Randalstown in the final.

This was a first in the Club's 69 year history and was a fitting tribute to Dermot in terms of the hard work and dedication that he helped to achieve.

Dermot has also coached the Antrim U15 and U18 development squads, the Antrim U21 and even the Antrim Senior team.

Also short-listed: Stewart Neill- (football)

Sports Performance of the Year Award (Sponsored by Stirling Trophies)

THE SPORTS Performance of the year award went to one of the biggest cup upsets seen in youth football for many years.

For the first time in the club's history, Ballymena United 3XI won the Harry Cavan Youth Cup which is the premier Knockout event at U18 level, defeating Belfast bigwigs Linfield.

Incredibly, six of Linfield's players who started the final had already senior experience, compared to United's players who had a combined total of two minutes of senior experience between them. Ballymena suffered a further blow when they lost key player Alan Telford to injury in the warm-up, meaning a late reshuffle and only four substitutes on the bench.

Coach Colin Sewell said injuries didn't help the already tough task ahead, he said: "We had already lost key players in the warm up. We had used all our subs and Lee McCoughren was injured, but he refused to come off.

"Despite this they were all 1st class"

Courageous Lee was at the ceremony and described it as an unbelievable achievement.

Long serving United man, Kenny Whitbread described the cup win as one of the club's greatest moments, he said: "I tried for 13 years to win that cup, and Colin did it in his first year against a top club. It is the greatest of achievements."

Also Short-listed:

St Mary's Gaelic Football team (GAA); Aaron Swan (cycling); Colin Miller (radical extreme sportscars)

Team of the Year (sponsored by Michelin)

TREBLE winning Ballymena Junior Bowling team have added the 2010 Team of the Year award to a trophy filled year.

The team who were formed five years ago have basically had the same dedicated players for that time and this consistency has reaped rewards.

The side have won the league for the last three years in a row, and in 2009 they went not one, but two steps further adding the Association and Irish Cup to their haul.

The award for team of the year was just reward as this 'triple win' is a feat only achieved once in the last 100 years, as the last time a team held the League title, Association cup and Irish Cup was back in 1929.

Accepting the award was club President Ivan Lynn, he said: "About five years ago we made the decision to bring youth into the club.

"Everybody enjoys it, and that's what it's about. It has been a great year for the club."

Also Short-listed:

JB Carr Diamond Trophy Team (golf); St Mary's Gaelic Football Team (GAA); Ballymena United Youth Academy U12s (football)

Services to Sport (Sponsored by Ballymena Borough Council)

AFTER being involved with the sport of Karate for 39 years, local coach Dan Redmond was awarded with the Services to Sport accolade.

Dan started the first ever martial arts club in Ballymena and has coached hundreds of students to a high level over the years.

As well as coaching he has been a referee, judge, co-ordinator and been heavily involved with the administration of the sport.

Dan has also represented Northern Ireland as a full international as rep to martial arts commissioner and as a treasurer. He just received his 7th Dan Black Belt in Karate in America, and is also a 1st Dan Black Belt in Cane Masters Weapons System.

Dans dedication to his sport meant he missed the awards as he was attending to one of his classes, explained Ernest Tuff who accepted the award on Dan's behalf.

To date he has trained 71 people for 'Black Belt' and gives opportunities to all ages, including senior citizens and those with disabilities the chance to try out martial arts.

Also short-listed:

Jim Crawford (motorcycling); Paul McKee (basketball)

Sportsperson/team with a Disability (Sponsored by JBE Building Services)

DARRELL Erwin was awarded the Sportsperson/Team with a disability accolade after a truly inspirational year in hand cycling.

Despite missing three months due to a broken foot, Darrell came back and made it a historical 2009 winning 7 out of 7 time trials, as well as selection on the Irish Para Cycling Development Squad.

After such a successful year, Darrell is looking forward to 2010 when he is competing in the United Arab Emirates in March, then in a number of races in Europe followed by the Columbia Championships.

Darrell won the Cycling Ulster Time Trial League and also retained his 10-mile Time Trial Championships Title and was placed 2nd Overall in the Irish Time Trial Championships and 1st in his H.C.B. Category.

Incredibly he achieved all this despite six hours training, 4 and 5 days per week in preparation for an endurance charity hand cycle from Mizon head, Cork to Fair Head in Ballycastle an astounding 400 miles.

In athletics Darrell went onto win the Lisburn 10K and was placed 2nd in the Longford Marathon Open National Event.

Also short-listed: Ballymena Special Olympic Club (bocce); Drew Cochrane (gold)

School Performance (Sponsored by Tower Centre)

GREAT team spirit was the key to St Patrick's college finishing 2009 as All Ireland U19 champions in Basketball and earning the School Sporting Performance of the Year award.

Against all the odds and despite having only 35 boys in the Sixth form to choose from, the team managed to come from eight points behind in the final against Colaiste and Spioraid Naoimh from Cork 65-56.

Coach Paul Kee said: "It was very much a team game, the entire team pulled their lunch money together to buy Johnny Kearney a pair of boots, who had forgotten his, ensuring he didnt miss the game."

According to St Patrick's Mark Connelly: "It was a very eventful game, they were huge, some of them 6ft 8 and twice the width of me."

In order to reach the final St Patrick's beat tough opposition from Knock in the Ulster Schools Final.

In the quarter-final play-offs the school also defeated Moyle Park (Dublin), St Oliver's (Drogheda) and Muredach (Ballin).

While the semi-final was a very close game as St Pat's took on Abbey Vocational (Donegal) in a 54-51 win.

Also Short listed: Ballymena Academy (Hockey)

Adult Sportsperson of the Year (Sponsored by Ballymena Credit Union)

COMMONWEALTH Games hopeful Steven Donnelly has got 2010 off to a great start bagging the Sportsperson of the Year award.

Tewnty year-old Stevn has enjoyed arguably his best year since entering the senior ranks at amateur level.

Dermot Hamill accepted the award on Steven's behalf said 2010 is the most important year of his career, he said: "Steven is the best pound for pound boxer in Ulster, it has been a great year but this year is the most important yet.

"Steven is aiming to go to the commonwealth games in Delhi and Dermot is confident Steven will be there."

2009 began well for the local boxer as he won his second Ulster Senior title in three years, while also being named as Boxer of the tournament.

He was also named boxer of the tournament against a high class international field at the Arafura Games in Australia, where he won gold.

Also short-listed: Clare Timoney (GAA); William Dickey (motorcycling)

Hall of Fame

THE NIGHT'S standing ovation was held for local footballing legend Arthur Stewart who was inducted into Ballymena's Sporting Hall of fame.

Arthur's career begun and ended at Ballymena United however the journey inbewtween is one most local footballers can only dream to make.

Arthur who recently celebrated his 68th birthday, began his playing days at Ballymena United and soon earned himself a call up to the School Boy Internationals and his reward from his headmaster at the time? "He said it was an honour for the school and then gave me pocket money for the trip," said Arthur.

United fans were disgruntled when Arthur left for belfast giants Glentoran, although the proud Ballymena man said he never wanted to leave.

Among the trophies won at Glentoran, Arthur picked up three league winners medals but he explained the highlight was playing against Eusebio's Benfica in a European tie.

Stewart moved across the water to play for Derby County under the management of the great Brian Clough. He earned seven caps for Northern Ireland, first under manager Bertie Peacock and then under Billy Bingham.

It was clear that Arthur was very thankful for his career and moved by the tributes, after accepting the award he said: "It's always very nice to be honoured by your home town. It's very, very nice. "Would I do it all again? Yes if my legs would let me."

Arthur joins last years inductee David Humphreys in Ballymena's Sporting Hall of Fame alongside such greats as Syd Millar, Dame Mary Peters, Sean and Maeve Kyle, Willie John McBride, Nigel Worthington, Billy Kerr, and Jessica Kurten.