Ballyspallen have won this year’s £1,000 prize from KP Snacks (NI) to cap a memorable season for a club without a bar or a clubhouse. 

Ricky Watts (front left) and John Baxter (front right) from KP Snacks (NI) joined Ballyspallen’s First XI Captain Stuart Kennedy, committee members Mervyn Martin and Nicola Marshall, and First XI player Graham Kennedy to congratulate them and hand over the all-important cheque for £1,000

Not only did Ballyspallen become the first North West side to win the Irish National Cup but their 3rd XI, in its first season, completed the league and cup double, with a squad made up predominantly of young players who have come through the club’s own youth development system.

The KP Snacks prize, run in conjunction with The Hundred competition, is open to all clubs in Northern Ireland who are invited to explain in no more than 500 words why they deserve to win the £1,000 prize and what they would do with it.

Ricky Watts, Business Account Manager (NI) for KP Snacks Ltd, said Ballyspallen's application stood out because of the club's exceptional achievements (on the pitch) and commitment to grassroots development (off it).

(l-r) John Baxter and Ricky Watts from KP Snacks (NI) joined Ballyspallen’s Alex Kennedy (groundsman), Nicola Marshall (committee member) and Brian Martin (senior club official) to congratulate them and hand over the all-important cheque for £1,000.

“We are delighted to award Ballyspallen the £1,000 prize and hope the funding helps them continue their excellent work in developing the next generation of cricketers,” he added.

After receiving the award, Club committee member Tim Martin said: "Winning the £1,000 prize from KP Snacks is a fantastic recognition of what has been an incredibly special season for Ballyspallen Cricket.

"For a small, community-based club, these achievements mean an enormous amount to everyone involved. They are the result of the commitment of our players, coaches, volunteers, parents, supporters and sponsors and, importantly, the pathway we have worked hard to create for young cricketers within our club.

"We are extremely grateful to KP Snacks for recognising our club and for supporting grassroots sport. To receive this award after such a memorable season makes it even more special, and we hope it will help us build on everything we have achieved and make the future even brighter for Ballyspallen Cricket Club.

"We plan to reinvest the £1,000 award into our next generation of young players to help us continue providing opportunities, equipment and experiences for future generations of Ballyspallen cricketers."

Ricky Watts (second left) and John Baxter (second right) from KP Snacks (NI) joined Ballyspallen’s First XI Captain Stuart Kennedy, committee members Mervyn Martin and Nicola Marshall, and First XI player Graham Kennedy.

Six Ballyspallen boys were selected this season to represent North West squads from U14-U18 level, Kate Martin became the first girl from the club to be selected for a North West squad, at both U14 and U16 level and Jacob Blair earned selection for the Ireland U16 squad and was the leading wicket-taker in both the Barnard Castle County Cricket Festival and the Celtic Cup and

Mr Watts added: “For a small rural club, their achievements on the pitch this season have been outstanding - but equally impressive is the strength of their youth development programme and the clear pathway they have created for young people to progress through the club.

"The fact that so many of their players have come through their own youth system demonstrates the long-term vision and commitment that exists within the club.”

This year’s Hundred saw first time winners in both the Men’s and Women’s finals at Lord’s. Manchester Super Giants beat Trent Rockets by five wickets to lift their first ever Men’s trophy, while Trent Rockets cruised to an emphatic eight-wicket win over Sunrisers Leeds in the Women’s competition.