Ballyshannon Squash Club receives Texaco award for support for sport

Ballyshannon Squash Club has been chosen winners of the Donegal County award in this year’s Texaco Support for Sport initiative. €5,000 has been presented to the club to help upgrade facilities, invest in coaching and fund introductory events to make squash more accessible for everyone in the community.

The club prides itself on being friendly, vibrant and active with over 70 members, catering for all skill levels and ages from six up to 80. It organises training sessions for juniors on weekends, coupled with coaching workshops, leagues, tournaments and social nights for members throughout the year.

Now in its fourth year, the Texaco Support for Sport initiative – organised by Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited, the company that markets fuel in Ireland under the Texaco brand – sees a fund of €130,000 set aside annually for allocation in equal amounts of €5,000 to successful applicants chosen on a county-by-county basis.  Previous Donegal winners were Gleneely Colts FC Sports and Leisure Club (2021), Muff’s Naomh Pádraig Uisce Chaoin GAA Club (2022) and Donegal Town Football Club (2023).

Congratulating the winners on what he termed ‘the invaluable contribution that sports clubs make to the heart of community life in Ireland’, James Twohig, Director of Ireland Operations, Valero Energy (Ireland) Limited praised the unstinting work of club officials and volunteers, stating that “since its inception, in excess of €500,000 has been distributed to a variety of more than 100 sports clubs under the Texaco Support for Sport initiative”.

The presentation to Ballyshannon Squash Club members was made at the Texaco Service Station, Donegal Road, Ballyshannon. Pictured with them were Texaco dealer, Billy Cleary (left) and Valero Area Sales Manager, Eugene Coyne (fourth left).

Overseeing the judging process was Texaco Support for Sport ambassador, former Irish rugby international and well-known broadcaster, Donncha O’Callaghan. 

“As adjudicator, the most heartening aspect of the Texaco Support for Sport initiative is the benefit it brings to Irish sports clubs by providing rare access to funds which are not linked to the popularity, membership size or success of any given club” commented Donncha O’Callaghan

Describing the Donegal club as ‘a very deserving winner’, he went on to add: “Its success in the initiative demonstrates Ballyshannon Squash Club’s commitment to growth and community outreach.”

Entries for the 2025 Texaco Support for Sport initiative will open in the Autumn for all clubs, including those whose application may have been unsuccessful previously