Belfast and District League Champions 2024
Men’s Singles Champions - Division 3
Congratulations to Ballymena’s A Team who have won the Belfast and District Singles League (Division 3)
This follows on from our men’s singles B Team winning Division 4 last week!
Please read below a statement from club captain Pol McAleese.
Overall I'm super proud of our lads for this season's singles title. I don't need to name names but you all know who you are, the hard work, time and dedication has all gone into the success.
We've had to shuffle our team about this year but every single lad stood up when they needed to. I would like to thank each and every one of them lads as they deserve it.
I would like to thank all the supporters that watched us in our last match, it has been a long time since any BLTC team has played in front of that many spectators and it really did give us all a boost when needed.
Addionally, I would like to thank all the sponsors of BLTC. Once again, you know who you all are and without your unwavering support we wouldn't be able to have this opportunity. I would like to thank the other teams in the division for some really fair and well played matches, best of luck to all them lads and we might see you further down the tracks!
To captain this team has been a privilege, and although I've had my injury and form issues this year every one of our team members has been nothing but supportive, and that's what this club is all about. Every one of our lads has been a captain for this team this year in more ways than one.
I hope that other BLTC members, especially junior members can look at this success and dream of winning a senior league title for this club, as at the end of the day that's what it's all about, seeing the young kids enjoying playing for BLTC.
To Nick, our chairman, thanks so much for filling in for one match and helping to manage the club, to Mary, as without you nothing is possible as much as you hate to admit it! To everyone else as well who helps run the club, again you know who you are, we hope ourselves and the Division 4 team have done you all proud!”
Throughout the league Ballymena won 21 matches, losing just 7. The team won 72.1% of the sets played throughout the league.
We had 2 players who finished inside the top 10 for the player statistics.
18 year old Ethan Sims, making his senior A Team debut, remained unbeaten throughout the league. He won all 6 of his matches, winning 12 sets to dropping just 2. He finished with winning 80 games while dropping just 43. This helped him to finish 3rd out of 62 players in the league.
Director of Coaching Barry Clarke, played 4 matches for the team, winning all 4, without dropping a set. He won 48 games, dropping just 12. This helped him finish 5th in player statistics.
Well done to the entire team -
Pol McAleese
Peter McCrum
Barry Clarke
Ethan Sims
(Subs)
Alan Kennedy
Csaba Mezei
Nick Cumming
This is a terrific achievement for Ballymena Town. We were up against the entire Belfast and District, winning 2 out of the 5 divisions is fantastic for the club, as we were up against much larger clubs in bigger towns and cities.
It’s a testament to the hard work of the players and team within the club.
Bring on Division 2 and 3 Next Year!
