Barry named Coach of the Year 2025!

Ballymena LTC are very proud to announce last night our Director of coaching Barry Clarke was awarded The Coach/Manager of the year for Mid and East Antrim.

The event was held at the Great Hall at the Galgorm Resort and Spa. Barry was accompanied by club treasurer Mary Goodwin along with the club senior captains, Pol McAleese and Weronika Slawinska.

He was recognised for his ability to coach players of all levels and abilities. The council applauded him for his contribution to the grass roots tennis movement, getting young people from all backgrounds playing the sport and competing whether internally or regionally.

Alongside being the director of coaching at Ballymena Lawn Tennis Club, Barry heads the running of tennis at Ballymena Academy.

On a weekly basis he is in charge of coaching over 300 young people in the local area.

Barry has brought a variety of community initiatives into the club, ranging from the junior volunteering scheme through volunteer now, while creating one of Irelands first juvenile tennis committees, headed all by young people aged 14-21.

He has created a broad and welcoming programme within the club, which includes internal leagues, match nights, social events, (such as at Halloween, Christmas etc) which ensures that there is something for everyone, at every level.

We are very proud Barry was recognised by his local borough and council. Being nominated for two awards, including services to sport, was a fantastic achievement.

This award follows on from Barry winning the PTR Coach of the year for Great Britain in 2021.

On winning his award Barry stated,

“I want to thank the Mid and East Antrim Council for recognising the great tennis movement BLTC promotes within the town. I was nominated alongside two wonderful candidates who both have done a stellar job in their respective sports.

I am incredibly humbled to have been nominated for both the coach of the year and services to sport. Thank you to those who nominated me, it truly means a lot.

I would also like to thank the wonderful committee alongside the coaching and volunteer team, I get to work with on a weekly basis. Their love and dedication to the sport is what makes our club so successful. “