In the heart of County Antrim, a rugby revolution is taking place.
Ballymena RFC, founded in 1887 and home to legends like Willie-John McBride and Syd Millar, is proving that its legacy of producing five British & Irish Lions was just the beginning. Today, thanks to sustained National Lottery investment, this historic club is writing an entirely new chapter – one where women and girls are the stars of the show.
Founded in 1887, this historic club produced rugby legends including Willie-John McBride and Syd Millar – five British & Irish Lions in total. Now, this tradition of excellence is being rewritten by a new generation, supported by National Lottery investment through Sport Northern Ireland.
The remarkable journey began in 2017 when Áine Fraser’s daughter came home excitedly announcing there was a meeting to discuss starting girls’ rugby. “She loved watching the sport and wanted to play. I agreed to go along, even though I had no background in rugby,” recalls Fraser. “I offered to help in an admin role, and before I knew it, ‘Convenor’ was written beside my name.”
“From Ballymena RFC’s point of view, due to the funding from the National Lottery, we have received amazing support from Ulster Rugby to help us achieve where we are now, alongside the huge transition in women and girls’ rugby in Northern Ireland, from when we started the section in 2017 to present day,” explains Fraser.
What began with just nine girls aged 14-16 has become a thriving section with over 160 women and girls spanning from minis to senior level. The results have been extraordinary: U16s won the Ulster Shield in 2022, U18s claimed Ulster Shield victories in 2023, 2024, and 2025, while the senior women won the Suzanne Fleming Shield in 2023 and reached the Cup Final at Affidea Stadium in 2024.
Individual success stories demonstrate the pathway’s effectiveness. Christy Hill, who progressed from the Ulster youth pathway to playing for Ulster’s Senior Women, exemplifies the club’s development success. Mary Rose McDonnell started playing rugby just one year ago and was named Ulster Player of the Year at the Heineken Ulster Rugby Awards. She helped introduce rugby at St Louis Grammar School, leading the school team to the Irish Schools Cup Final in their first season.
The numbers tell the success story: 16 players have been selected for Ulster Pathway Programme, with currently five in the programme and two U18s representing Ulster in Interpros. The club is supported by more than 30 coaches, making them one of Ulster’s most inclusive and fastest-growing rugby communities.
“At Ballymena RFC, Women & Girls’ rugby is for everyone – all abilities, all backgrounds, all ages, and all parts of our community,” Fraser explains. “For many of us, Ballymena RFC isn’t just a club – it’s our second home.”
This transformation demonstrates how over the last 30 years, by investing over £6 billion into more than 90,000 grassroots clubs and organisations, The National Lottery has been game-changing for women and girls’ sport. The National Lottery raises £30 million for good causes every week, creating pathways that connect clubs like Ballymena to sporting excellence and ensuring the next generation of international stars could just as easily be wearing their colours.