Youth rugby

Convener: Craig Whyte
Click here to contact Craig

Under the watchful and knowledgeable eye of Craig Whyte, our Youth Rugby Section is a recent success story and with two very young nineteen year olds securing their places this year in our First Fifteen, this augers well for the future of our club.
The club’s Excellent Youth Development Officer, Scotty Nelson, is working hard in local schools and his efforts have been rewarded with several new players from “new” rugby schools joining and now playing for our club.

In the last two seasons the Youth Section has increased its membership significantly and now involves three teams, at Under 14, Under 16 and Under 18 levels, all with coaches, regularly in the Ulster Youth Leagues.

Although one “contact” coach is listed below for each team, the significant contributions of Chris Clarke, John Campbell, Johnny Hannah, Jason Taggart and John Hunter cannot be overstated.
We are justifiably proud of the excellent role models that our coaches are and are confident that the rugby experiences they present are sure to develop all of our young players’ skills, attitudes and characters.

Under 18s
Coach: David Calvin

The under 18s are maturing into a force to be reckoned with. Coach, David Calvin has worked closely with our 1st XV coach Jason Taggart to ensure that players receive similar coaching techniques to the adult sides. This has helped many players make the switch into adult rugby. Ballymoney have put a lot of faith into their youth set-up and 1st XV coach Jason Taggart’s determination to see these players brought into the 1st XV squad when they leave the under 18’s is a huge encouragement to them. Training on Wednesday nights 7.30pm - 9.00pm, new players welcome.

Under 16s
Coach: David Watson

This has been only the third year that Ballymoney have managed to field a team at this level and much of the credit must go to our Youth Development Officers and coach David Watson who have been busy developing rugby in the local secondary schools. David, a popular teacher in Ballymoney High School, recognises the character building effect of rugby and how it can help young people to develop their attitudes to life in general.
Training on Wednesday Nights 7.30pm - 9.00pm, new players welcome.

Under 14s
Coach: Andy best

This is very much a team, which represents the area around Ballymoney and consists of players from several schools. Although most of the lads have played together since “mini” rugby, new players are still joining and a tremendous team spirit exists amongst the squad. Andy Best, who teaches in Coleraine is developing the team’s style of play and is achieving excellent results with his very young squad. New players are always most welcome at this age: you can find more information by contacting Craig Whyte on the link at the top of this page.
Training on Monday Nights 5.30pm - 7.00pm, new players welcome.

youth rugby