The ABC Junior Sports Awards 2022 saw a multitude of sports clubs, inspirational volunteers and individuals recognised for their talent and achievement.Shortlisted nominees were joined by representatives from Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Sports Forum, Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council and headline sponsor Manfreight Limited at Armagh City Hotel on Friday 14 October to celebrate their sporting achievements and hear the winners announced.

Some 62 nominations across eleven categories made it to the shortlist, including 12 past and present students from Banbridge Academy, illustrating the strength, dedication, and talent of sporting excellence in the school. The Academy had students nominated in individual categories for swimming, badminton, tae kwon do, hockey and table tennis as well as rugby and hockey nominated in the Junior and Youth Team categories.

Banbridge Academy came away from the evening having won 3 of the 11 categories.  The 2021-2022 Boys 1^st XI Hockey Team won the “Youth School Team of the Year” sponsored by Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council following their double Ulster titles (McCullough and Burney Cups) and were narrowly defeated in the All Ireland Final.  Captain, Charlie Rowe, spoke of how he felt winning the award; “it’s nice to win this with all of our friends, the team is really close, and after a few years of covid it’s great to win the award with all my teammates.” When asked about their McCullough Cup campaign, Charlie said it was nice to be able to bring home Mr Simon Jess’ first piece of silverware as Head Coach and thanked him for all his hard work with the team during the season.

Charlie himself then went on to win “Youth Male of the Year” sponsored by Total Hockey following his own very successful season of school, club, Ulster and Irish hockey representation. The final award of the night was for “Youth Female of the Year” sponsored by Manfreight Limited and this was lifted by former pupil Kathryn Morton.  Kathryn has had a very successful career in archery throughout her time at Banbridge Academy winning multiple European medals and is currently ranked No 1 in the world in her age category.

Overall, it was an extremely successful night and wonderful to see such talent recognised within the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.  Huge congratulations to all Banbridge Academy pupils, past and present, on being nominated and winning these awards.  You are all so deserving of the recognition you have been given.  Please see the full list of shortlisted nominees below.