(Attitude – Practice – Educational – eXcellence)

Ballyclare Comrades have secured a basis for the club's youth structure from under 10 level to under 15 level by allying with established Newtownabbey based youth football club Apex Sky Blues. The arrangement between the clubs will provide players to feed into Comrades' under 16 side, whilst giving Apex players somewhere to progress to after they become to old for the under 15 side.

Apex Limerick trip

In the first week in July the Apex Sky Blues Soccer centre sent a group of its Under 12 members to Limerick to take part in the annual ALJEFF invitational soccer program.  ALJEFF is a drug awareness group based in Limerick and they initiated the soccer program to use football as the vehicle to encourage young people in the Limerick area not to get involved with drugs.  They invited the Apex Sky Blues Soccer Centre to assist with the program 3 years ago and since then the program has been a great success as it promotes that drugs and sport do not mix and it also brings young people from both sides of the border together for a fun weekend.  During their time away the Sky Blues players had 2 games of football, went swimming and played snooker along with their fellow players from Hyde Rangers.  The complete Sky Blues party officially represented Newtownabbey when they attended a civic reception held by the Mayor of Limerick in the City Hall at which gifts where exchanged on behalf of both areas.  Head coach at the Soccer Centre, Adrian McBride, said that the weekend had been a great success of which all the players from both Apex Sky Blues and Hyde Rangers all had a great time.  By the time the Sky Blues players were making their way back to Newtownabbey they had made new and lasting friendships and were already looking forward to next year when the Hyde Rangers and coaches will make the journey to Northern Ireland.  During the weekend the Apex coaching staff held a coaching workshop with their Hyde Rangers compatriots of which many useful tips were passed in both directions.  The main organiser of the event was ALJEFF but special thanks should be given for the support of the Irish Peace Institute and also for the support given by Newtownabbey Borough Council as their already existing links with Limerick become established even more.      

Apex Awards 2005/06

On Saturday, 10th June 2006, Apex Sky Blues held their end of season fun day at which all their representative teams received their awards for the season 2005/06.

 

After the teams played a fun game, all the players received a trophy in recognition of representing the club during the season.   Each team was then presented with their main awards, which included the winners and runners-up, in the categories of Player of the Year, Players Player of the Year, Top Goalscorer, Clubman of the Year and Most Improved Player.

 

Apex Sky Blues Chairman and Coach Gordon Chambers said that he “Felt the fun day had been enjoyed by all and the players are looking forward to next season in anticipation.”

 Award Winners

 

Under 11 (East Antrim Youth League)

 Goalscorer of the Year

Winner – Darren McKnight

Darren McKnight receives his awatd from coach John Moran

Runner up – Dylan Best

 Most Improved Player

Winner – Christopher Chambers

Runner up – Adam Carlisle

 Players' Player of the Year

Winner – Bobbie Crowe

Runner up – Callum McHugh/ Elliott McAnally

Callum McHigh and Elliott McAnally receive their awards from coach John Moran

 Clubman of the Year

Winner – Ross Beattie

Runner up – John Thompson

 Player of the Year

Winner – Dylan Best

Dylan Best receives his award from coach John Moran

Runner up – Darren McKnight

 

Under 12 (EAYL)

 Goalscorer of the Year

Winner – Adam Irwin

Runner up – Neil Cummings

 Most Improved Player

Winner – Andrew Johnstone

Runner up – Stuart Todd

 Players'  Player of the Year

Winner – Michael O’Hanlon

Michael O'Hanlon receives his award from coach Gordon Chambers

Runner up – Ross Davidson

 Clubman of the Year

Winner – Stuart Crawford

Stuart Crawford receives his award from coach Gordon Chambers

Runner up – Ryan Wilson

 Player of the Year

Winner – Ross Davidson

Runner up – Michael O’Hanlon

 

 

Under 12 (Lisburn Invitational Youth League)

 Goalscorer of the Year

Winner – Niall Boyd

Runner up – David Spiers

 

 Most Improved Player

Winner – David Spiers

Runner up – Ryan Spiers

 Players' Player of the Year

Winner – Dean McNeely

Runner up – Niall Boyd

 Clubman of the Year

Winner – Andrew Flood

Runner up – Aaron McLaughlin

 Player of the Year

Winner – Dean McNeely

Runner up – Scott Spiers

 

Under 13 (LIYL)

 Goalscorer of the Year

Winner – Stephen Andrews

Runner up – Stephen Caldwell

 Most Improved Player

Winner – Jamie McCready

Runner up – Jason Cairns

 Players' Player of the Year

Winner – Adam McKnight

Runner up – Ross Hanna

 Clubman of the Year

Winner – Nathan Cairns

Runner up – Stuart Davey

 Player of the Year

Winner – Lewis Roy

Runner up – Michael Hawthorne

 

Under 15 (South Belfast Boys League)

 Goal Scorer of the Year

Winner – Christopher Whitten

Runner up – Alistair Bell

 Most Improved Player

Winner – Stuart Gowdy

Runner up – Craig Jenkins

 Players' Player of the Year

Winner – Alistair Bell

Runner up – Matthew King

 Clubman of the Year

Winner – Ross Glover

Runner up – Craig Jenkins

 Player of the Year

Winner – Alistair Bell

Runner up – Peter McCartney

 

Under 15 (LIYL)

 Goalscorer of the Year

Winner – Curtis Jones

Runner up – Kenny Grealey

 Most Improved Player

Winner – Nathan Gray

Runner up – Adam Young

 Players' Player of the Year

Winner – Stephen Silverson

Runner up – Ryan Large

 

 Clubman of the Year

Winner – Taylor Kirk

Runner up – Gary Walker

 Player of the Year

Winner – Stuart McCullough

Runner up – Stephen Silverson

Apex Manchester Trip 2006

The 2006 Apex Sky Blues annual Manchester club trip took place from Friday 14th April to Monday 17th April 2006. Six teams, represented the club from the age of 10 through to 15, consisting of 72 players with 29 adults in attendance to give a complete party size of 101. The party stayed once again in the Cresta Court Hotel, which is situated in the town of Altrincham Greater Manchester, and this provided perfect accommodation and an ideal base for the players and staff.

After check in and having a meal at the hotel on Friday evening the party made the short journey to Old Trafford, the famous stadium of Manchester United, to watch the Manchester United v Sunderland game which everyone, even the Liverpool supporters seemed to enjoy.  On Saturday morning the teams made the 40 minute trip to Blackburn to play Blackburn Rovers feeder club Lammack Juniors in what proved to be mostly close competitive games. When the games were completed our hosts provided hospitality which was most welcome and appreciated after which we made the journey back to our hotel.  

On Sunday the club's teams played in the International Hand of Friendship Tournament 2006 which was hosted by Sale United F.C. who Apex Sky Blues have developed a relationship with over the last four years.  The tournament consisted of four clubs who had teams playing various age groups and consisted of the hosts Sale United from south Manchester, from Limerick Parkville F.C., Cornwall High School from South Africa and Apex Sky Blues represented Northern Ireland.  The Apex Sky Blues teams put in good performances winning the Under 10, and  Under 11 age groups and coming in as runners up at Under 12, 13, 14 and Under 15.  Overall the clubs teams played 18 games of which they Won 10, Lost 4 and 4 games where Drawn with 34 goals scored and 11 conceded. When all the games where finished medals where presented to all the players and then Sale United provided the party with hospitality for which all the players and coaching staff were very grateful by which we showed our appreciation by presenting an Apex Sky Blues shield as a memento of our visit. A special thank you goes to the three participating clubs from Apex Sky Blues for the competitive and sporting games that they provided for all our teams and for the welcome and hospitality they provided towards our complete party off the field the field of play as well as on it.

The trip however was not just about football as there was many off the field activities planned for the players to take advantage off. On the Saturday evening all the players went to Laser Quest in the magnificent Trafford Centre and on the Sunday the complete party made the 1 hour journey to Blackpool for a night of fun and enjoyment at the famous Pleasure Beach and a good time was had by all.

Monday morning brought an early start to travel the 220 miles back to Scotland for the boat home. After saying our farewells and presenting a shield to the Cresta Court Hotel we headed to Southwaite service station the halfway point in the our journey where the party had a bite to eat.  After this it was up the motorway to Troon, across the Irish Sea and back to Ballyclare. A thoroughly enjoyable 4 days with the players providing the entertainment on the field, the coaching staff providing the entertainment off the field and everyone looking forward to Easter 2007 already. Well done to everyone involved both Players and Coaching staff alike

Changes for this season

Apex Sky Blues have 6 teams this season. 

There will be teams in the following age groups in the East Antrim Invitational Youth League - Under 11 and Under
12

In the Lisburn Junior Invitational League there will be teams at Under 12, Under 13 and
Under 15. 

A further under 15 team, that had originally entered the East Antrim League, whose under 15 section folded after two games of the season, are now entered in the South Belfast Boys League.

The reason that at certain ages there are 2 teams is because
the EAIYL has changed its qualifying ages to be in line with UEFA rules
as directed by the NIBFA whereas the Lisburn League and South Belfast League has decided not to do so at this point.

Apex Sky Blues Awards Night

The annual Apex Sky Blues awards night, for the season 2004/2005, took place on Tuesday 7th June in Ballyclare Golf Club with approximately 200 players, parents, family friends and club coaches in attendance. The guest of honour for the evening was Jamesy Kirk the manager of Ballyclare Comrades who presented the players with their awards.

During the season the club had 6 representative teams in total with 5 playing in the East Antrim Youth League and 1 team representing the club in the South Belfast Boys League. On the evening a report was given on each of the teams progress and achievements and on display where the 11 trophies that the Apex Sky Blues teams had won during the season, which highlighted the good work and progress that had been achieved by both the coaching staff and players alike. All the players, representing the clubs team squads from Under 10 through to Under 15 where presented with an Apex Sky Blues medal as a memento for representing the club through the 2004/2005 season.

Following the presentation of the mementos the main awards for each age group where announced and the winners and runners up for each award where as follows:

Under 10

Goalscorer of the Year

Winner - Adam Irwin

Runner Up - Jason Simpson

Most Improved Player

Winner - Jordan McCune

Runner Up - Jason Holmes

Players Player of the Year

Winner - Adam Irwin

Runner Up - Michael O'Hanlon

Clubman of the Year

Winner - David McCallen

Runner Up - Jamie Craig

Player of the Year

Winner - Stuart Crawford 

Runner Up - Patrick McNair

Under 11

Goalscorer of the Year

Winner - Jonathan Cosgrove

Runner Up - Dean Meneely

Most Improved Player

Winner - Aaron McLaughlin

Runner Up - Niall Boyd

Players Player of the Year

Winner - Nathan Finlay

Runner Up - Scott Spiers

Clubman of the Year

Winner - David Spiers

Runner Up - Simon Durnien

Player of the Year

Winner - JonathanCosgrove

Runner Up - Andrew Flood

Under 12

Goalscorer of the Year

Winner - Josh Cash

Runner Up - David Higgins

Most Improved Player

Winner - Ross Hanna

Runner Up - Michael Hawthorne

Players Player of the Year

Winner - Warren Rogan

Runner Up - Lewis Roy

Clubman of the Year

Winner - Stephen Caldwell

Runner Up - Thomas Robinson

Player of the Year

Winner - Adam McKnight

Runner Up - Ross Davidson

Under 13

Goalscorer of the Year

Winner - Alistair McCormick

Runner Up - Andrew Whyte

Most Improved Player

Winner - Luke Casey

Runner Up - Matthew Burnett

Players Player of the Year

Winner - Alistair Bell

Runner Up - Glen McMaster

Clubman of the Year

Winner - Chris Whitten

Runner Up - Ross Glover

Player of the Year

Winner - Peter McCartney

Runner Up - David McCoy

Under 14

Goalscorer of the Year

Winner - Gary Graham

Runner Up - Curtis Jones

Most Improved Player

Winner - Kris Fitzsimmons

Runner Up - Adam Jones

Players Player of the Year

Winner - Taylor Kirk

Runner Up - Stephen Silverson

Clubman of the Year

Winner - Ryan McAllister

Runner Up - Ryan Miller

Player of the Year

Winner - Stephen Silverson

Runner Up - Stuart McCullough/Taylor Kirk

Under 15

Goalscorer of the Year

Winner - Jonathan Boyd

Runner Up - Ben Roy

Most Improved Player

Winner - Matthew Young

Runner Up - Neil McGrath

Players Player of the Year

Winner - Daniel Dunlop

Runner Up - Matthew Boyd/Patrick Flood

Clubman of the Year

Winner - Kevin McVeagh

Runner Up - Gary Couser

Player of the Year

Winner - Matthew Boyd

Runner Up - Philip Logue/Jonathan Boyd

After the presentation of the team awards a light supper was served, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. At the end of the evening all the players and coaches where congratulated on what proved to be a successful season for the club and thanked for their efforts and enthusiasm. Thanks were also passed to Jamesy Kirk for presenting the awards, to the parents for their support given to both the players and the club throughout the season and to Ballyclare golf club for providing the facilities for the evening.

 
Apex Sky Blues Soccer Centre

The Apex Sky Blues Soccer Centre takes place at the Valley Leisure Centre’s Astro Turf facility in Newtownabbey for 40 Saturdays each year.  The Centre provides a much needed fun, structured and organised soccer coaching programme for children of primary school ages (5 Years old – 9 years old) and caters for the whole community.  The coaching emphasis is on continuity, enjoyment and progression.  The Centre is a non profit making organisation with all coaches providing their time on a voluntary basis.  The Centre has approx. 200 members and promotes a good club and family atmosphere.


The cost of Membership of the Centre is an annual subscription of £20.00 (Family membership £25.00.) and £2.00 for each Saturday’s coaching session.  The Centre opens on a Saturday at 09.00am for registration and coaching sessions commence at 09.30am and finish at 11.30am. 


Coaching Programme for 5 - 9 Years Old


This is the entry and introduction level to the Apex Sky Blues Club.  The emphasis for this age group is one of fun, enjoyment, introduction to coaching and the teaching of the Club’s discipline.  The progress that is hopefully achieved at this early age are the distinction between the right and the left feet and the understanding of both feet operating as a team. (What is done with one foot is also done by the other.)  This is progressed by the use of ball feel exercises.  This age group also starts to learn and understand the basic skills of the game through the use of various coaching techniques and exercises.  The group takes part in fun games and small sided games as an introduction to friendly competition. 


The coaching that is given to this group is to assist progression and to complement the Centre’s statement that good practice makes permanent.  Progression from the Soccer Centre is by selection to the Apex Sky Blues representative teams that play in the local East Antrim Youth League. 


Apex Sky Blues team Development


Apex Sky Blues have representative teams that compete in the local East Antrim Youth League at the Under 10 level through to Under 15.  The East Antrim Youth League was established in 1999 and provides a much needed facility for the Club’s young players to continue their football education in an organised, structured and controlled format.


Progression after the age of Under 15 is through the affiliation with Ballyclare Comrades at Under 16 level with this age group playing in the Lisburn league.  After coming through the Apex Sky Blues Soccer Centre and Team Development section the players will have received a good standard of education for them to take with them to their next level of learning with Ballyclare Comrades as an Irish League Club.  Ballyclare Comrades is a forward thinking club who are putting an emphasis on youth and the affiliation between the two clubs will be rewarding to both parties and to all the players who will be fortunate to have the opportunity to come through this unique educational system.