Pupils Taleen Eldris and Eva Lilly Beckett from Ballymena Academy will represent Ireland at the Netball Europe event in Aberdeen from 6 to 8 March 2026. The tournament includes teams from Northern Ireland, Scotland, England and the UAE.

Eldris plays wing defence for Seven Towers Netball Club in the under-19 A division. Beckett competes with Antrim Ladies Netball Club as a circle defender.

Ballymena Academy's intermediate first team finished undefeated to win the Netball Northern Ireland North Eastern District Division 1 title. The team advanced to the Northern Ireland National League semi-finals against Methodist College and the Netball Northern Ireland School Cup quarter-finals.

The intermediate squad also secured the Netball Northern Ireland Shield. The first team earned a shortlist nomination for School Sporting Achievement of the Year at the Mid and East Antrim Sports Awards in March at Galgorm.

Coach Julie-Anne Cairns has worked with both players since year 8. She provides tailored training sessions at the school and coaches Eldris at her club. Cairns highlighted their discipline and full commitment to training requirements for international selection.