Netball Northern Ireland Sponsorship Announcement Comes as Team Sets Off for Commonwealth Games

Pupils from Ballymena Dance Academy are set to take centre stage next week to compete at the Dance World Cup 2026 in Dublin following a sponsorship boost from local hospitality group, Galgorm Collection. 

Known as the Olympics of dance and running from 8th – 18th July, the competition will see over 11,000 children and young people from 50 countries such as USA, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Germany, Spain, Italy, Japan, India and China competing for medals at Dublin’s Convention Centre. 

A total of 51 members of Ballymena Dance Academy, aged between 7 and 22 years old, will be taking part in the competition including eight groups representing Northern Ireland in lyrical, modern, contemporary, acro, showstopper and jazz genres.  

Committed to supporting initiatives that positively impact the community and boost opportunities to develop sporting talent, Galgorm Collection, alongside Logans Executive Travel, have part funded coaches to and from the venue as well as covering competition expenditure.

Speaking about the partnership, Lynsey Gordon, Chief Operating Officer at Galgorm Collection said: “Ballymena Dance Academy has an excellent reputation in the town and we’re delighted to support a group that is nurturing such talent locally and that is clearly amongst some of the best dance troupes in the world which is certainly no small feat. 

“At Galgorm Collection, investing in sporting talent and strengthening our community is at the heart of everything we do. As local employers, we see first-hand the benefits that sport can have on our team and thus, it’s something we’re committed to supporting. 

“I’d like to take this opportunity to wish Ballymena Dance Academy the very best of luck for the competition.” 

The partnership with Ballymena Dance Academy forms part of Galgorm Collection’s wider community engagement programme, which includes sponsorships, charitable initiatives, educational projects and ongoing collaboration with schools, clubs and organisations across Northern Ireland. 

Meanwhile, choreographer Kara McCartney, owner of Ballymena Dance Academy added: “The support we have received from Galgorm Collection means so much to us as a group. Since qualifying for the Dance World Cup in January, the children and young people have been working very hard over the last few months to perfect their performances and we’re really keen to show the judging panel just what we can do. 

“For many of the children and young people, it will be their first experience of competing on a world stage as part of such a prestigious competition and the lessons they will learn from it will be very valuable.  We’re so grateful to the team at Galgorm Collection for their assistance and look forward to making them all proud during the competition over the next two weeks.” 

With a portfolio of hotels, resorts, restaurants and golf experiences across the province, Galgorm Collection remains committed to delivering positive economic and social impact alongside its continued growth, supporting initiatives that promote wellbeing, youth development and community participation. 

The Staysure Legends Tour welcomed professionals, sporting personalities, special guests and media to Galgorm today for a Par 3 Challenge against the clock as preparations continue for this summer’s NI Legends tournament that takes place at the same venue from September 4th – 6th, 2026.

Home players from the Staysure Legends Tour, Gary Murphy, Damian Mooney and Cameron Clark, led the teams alongside local celebrities and sporting heroes.

Teams of three took to the signature par-three 7th hole on the championship Castle Course at Galgorm to try and make as many pars as possible within their five-minute window. The professionals hit the tee shots before other team members gathered around the green to play alternate shots as they tried to beat the clock.

Former Northern Ireland internationals Keith Gillespie, John O’Neill, Jim Magilton, Tommy Wright, George McCartney and Steven Penney were present alongside former Ulster rugby star Ian Humphreys. Galgorm’s own icon Liam Beckett put local knowledge to good use along with UTV’s Ruth Gorman and BBC NI’s Stephen Watson.

In the end it was the team of Clark, O’Neill and Wright that came out on top after a tense play-off, beating Mooney’s team of Galgorm experts, Beckett and Penney with an impressive tally of seven pars in sudden death.

As the May heatwave continues, Galgorm provided a morning of fun as player interviews, filming and content creation gave a flavour of what’s to come during tournament week in September.

Clark, who was born in Ballymena, was excited to return to his hometown. “I was born at the Cottage Hospital here and my dad was Head Pro at Ballymena golf club so it’s wonderful to be back here. It’s the first thing I looked for on the schedule and I’m so excited to be coming back with the family for the tournament in September. It’s going to be a special week.

Today has been really good fun. Obviously, I’ve known Murph and Damian for a long time and it was great to have the footballers and the sports people involved. I really enjoyed it and it was great to get the win!”

Murphy added: “I'm a big fan of Galgorm. My first experience here was with a microphone commentating and I thought the course looked pretty easy. And then when I got the clubs out, I realised it wasn't. It's a really good test of golf and last year, even though the weather was so inclement, the course held up extremely well. It tests all parts of your game and really looking forward to the challenge again this year. “

Mooney added: “It’s a great venue for a tournament and spectators coming for free will be able to watch the feature holes and then the stadium finish. It's a fabulous 18th hole, with the water protecting the left side of the green and a grandstand so people see plenty. There will be plenty of big names to enjoy watching, names that people recognise from the main Tour, so it’s going to be an exciting week in September for sure.”

The NI Legends is set to attract another world-class field featuring Major champions, Ryder Cup legends and Tour winners, with some of the biggest names in senior professional golf lined up to return to Northern Ireland as part of the Staysure Legends Tour’s international schedule. Tickets for the NI Legends in September are free. Register to attend

HERE.

In 2025 Austria’s Markus Brier produced a composed final round performance in difficult conditions to secure victory by two shots over Sweden’s Mikael Lundberg, claiming his first Staysure Legends Tour title since 2021. Brier is in line to defend his NI Legends title at Galgorm in September.

Galgorm is recognised as one of Northern Ireland’s premier tournament venues and this year’s NI Legends event will mark the 21st professional event staged there since 2010. Galgorm previously hosted the Irish Open on the DP World Tour (2020), four World Invitationals (2019, 2021-23), a tri-sanctioned event between the DP World Tour, LPGA and LET. The Ballymena venue also hosted the homegrown NI Open on the Hotel Planner Tour for years.

Alongside the championship action, the NI Legends provides amateur golfers a unique opportunity to be inside the ropes and play alongside Ryder Cup legends, Major champions and Tour winners in the Pro-Am or as part of the Legends Experience during tournament rounds. For more information on playing experiences and ticketing, visit

HERE

“We are delighted the NI Legends is returning to Galgorm in September, and today’s Par 3 Challenge was great fun and a great way to launch the 2026 event,” said Ross Oliver, Director of Golf at Galgorm. “Galgorm has a rich pedigree of tournament golf over the years, and we look forward to working with the Staysure Legends Tour once more.

“The Pro-Am format on the Staysure Legends Tour lends itself so well to enhanced player experiences, both for the professionals and amateurs. Tournament week is like a festival of golf, especially when spectators can come and watch household names, former Major winners and Ryder Cup players for free.”   

Further tournament details and player announcements for this year’s NI Legends at Galgorm will be announced in the coming weeks.

1. Name & Job Title

Jenna Potter, Environmental Sustainability Manager.

2. How long have you been part of the Galgorm Collection, and what does your role involve?

I’m still quite new to the Collection- only a few months, which makes it even more exciting because every day there’s something new to learn! My role is all about trying to do the right thing for the planet while keeping that incredible guest experience front and centre.

3. What inspired you to pursue a career in sustainability?

I think it started with really noticing how incredible the world around us is - something we see every day but often take for granted. The more I learned, the more I realised how connected everything is, and how much our everyday choices matter. I’ve always loved the idea that small changes can have a big impact.

4. What does World Environment Day mean to you?

It’s a reminder to check in with how we are doing. It gives us a chance to celebrate the progress we’ve made, but also to ask, “what’s next?”. It’s also a great excuse to get people talking about the environment again, which is always a positive.

5. Sustainability is a key focus across the Galgorm Collection. Can you tell us about some of the initiatives currently making the biggest impact?

 There’s a lot happening behind the scenes, but some examples include:

• Energy - improving efficiency through closer monitoring and smarter systems, alongside our investment in renewable energy such as solar.

• Waste - reducing where we can and being more conscious about the materials and resources we use, with a continued focus on minimising avoidable and single-use items across the Collection.

• Behaviour change - encouraging small, everyday actions from our teams that really add up over time.

It’s not about one big initiative - it’s lots of small, smart changes working together.

6. What role do our colleagues and guests play in helping us achieve our sustainability goals?

A massive one - we genuinely couldn’t do it without them.

Our colleagues are the ones bringing sustainability to life every day, and those small actions really do add up. And our guests are part of that journey too, whether it’s making mindful choices during their stay or engaging with what we’re doing.

7. What exciting sustainability projects or ambitions are on the horizon for the Collection?

There’s lots planned and in motion- I’m only just getting started in the role.

Our focus is on continuing to reduce our overall environmental impact while embedding sustainability even further into our day-to-day operations. It’s about keeping what works, improving what we can, and always looking for the next opportunity to do better.

8. If you could describe Galgorm Collection's approach to sustainability in three words, what would they be and why?

Practical, evolving, collective.

9. What is one thing your colleagues might be surprised to learn about you?

I’m a keen hiker and love getting outdoors whenever I can. I’ve completed treks to both Machu Picchu and Everest Base Camp, and Kilimanjaro is next on the list!

Galgorm Resort Welcomes Local students as Part of Growing Mid and East Antrim Initiative.

Galgorm Collection, in partnership with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, recently welcomed 40 local students from Cambridge House Grammar School as part of the ‘World of Work’ programme, which aims to increase awareness of the vast array of career opportunities in the hospitality and tourism sectors among primary and post-primary pupils.  

Following a successful pilot in 2025, the Council funded programme demonstrates how classroom skills and learning translate directly into the workplace, and to challenge some of the common misconceptions that still surround the industry by showcasing the variety of rewarding pathways available.

The World of Work initiative follows an expanded programme this year, which will see a total of 54 sessions delivered across seven primary schools and eight post-primary schools at various hospitality and tourism venues within the Mid and East Antrim area. 

Speaking at the event in Galgorm Resort, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Councillor Jackson Minford, welcomed the programme, saying: “It is fantastic to see the continued success and expansion of the World of Work programme. Hospitality and tourism are vital to our local economy, and initiatives like this will help young people understand the exciting and diverse career opportunities available right here in Mid and East Antrim. 

“By engaging directly with employers, pupils are gaining valuable insight, building confidence, and developing skills that will support them in their future careers. We hope all the pupils will enjoy the sessions and consider entering either of these sectors and work locally.”

Partner organisations involved in delivering sessions alongside Galgorm Resort include the Tullyglass House Hotel, the Adair Arms Hotel, the Harbourview Hotel, Papa Browns and Tourism NI which provided VR-based experiences for primary and secondary pupils.

The initiative also aims to strengthen relationships between schools and local employers, while encouraging young people to consider future careers within a growing and dynamic sector.

Prior to the site visit, members from Galgorm Collection’s People and Development Team visited Cambridge House Grammar School to give students a presentation about the world of hospitality. They also provided an interactive teambuilding exercise, which allowed the students to become part of the events and marketing team, creating their own events at Galgorm Collection, ranging from brunch at Parisien, murder mystery at The Old Inn, and a private pool party at The Rabbit Hotel & Retreat. Students then worked together to decide how to market these events and then presented it to the class.

Following the school visit, Cambridge House Grammar School was invited to take part in a site visit to Galgorm Resort, where they were immersed in a series of hands-on experiences, designed to bring real career pathways vividly to life. From crafting mocktails behind the bar and decorating cupcakes with a Pastry Chef, to planting biodegradable plant pots to take home with the Grounds team, each activity offered a practical insight into different roles across the resort. They also explored the art of Housekeeping through bed-making and creative towel animal folding, enjoyed relaxing wellness sessions with a Spa Therapist, and gained valuable knowledge around food and nutrition, with a qualified Personal Trainer who demonstrated exercises that can be done at home, and lastly met with the Health and Safety (H&S) team who provided hands on learning about the resorts sustainability and green tourism, as well as the importance of H&S protocols in the workplace.

Laura Millar, People and Development Associate Director, Galgorm Collection added: “Programmes such as this are an invaluable way of engaging with children, their parents and schools at an early stage to open everyone’s minds to the world of careers in hospitality and tourism. At Galgorm Collection, we are delighted to deliver sessions that are both creative and practical, giving a great insight into what the various roles in our sector have to offer. 

“The enthusiasm and engagement shown by the students has been really encouraging. It underlines the importance of initiatives like this in developing future talent by showcasing the wide range of opportunities available within the industry, challenging common misconceptions, and helping students recognise hospitality and tourism as a dynamic and rewarding career path. We are proud to play a role in supporting the next generation.

“The programme continues to attract strong positive feedback from both schools and employers, with high levels of pupil participation demonstrating the value of practical, experience-based learning in influencing and shaping future career ambitions.”

Mr Bleakley, Careers Teacher at Cambridge House Grammar Schools, said: “Our Year 11 students are studying for their GCSE in Food and Nutrition, so this programme was a perfect addition to their studies. It was exceptionally well received, and it was a wonderful opportunity to get outside the classroom and get a taste of the world at work.”

Through initiatives like World of Work, Galgorm Collection continues to invest in skills development locally, helping young people explore career pathways and supporting the long-term growth of hospitality and tourism across Mid and East Antrim.