The Boys’ Brigade is a worldwide, Christian, youth organisation for boys aged 4 to 18 years.

In Northern Ireland, the Boys' Brigade, sometimes referred to as the BB or BBNI, is the largest uniformed youth organisation. We have 300 BB Companies meeting weekly, usually weeknights, from September – April / May.

The Boys’ Brigade companies are run in local churches and missions throughout Northern Ireland by officially trained local volunteers from the church or mission.

Why Not give Your Boys a Challenge?
 
National Competitions will give your Company & Senior Section members a new challenge for next session. Meet new companies from outside your own Battalion and you might even reach a National Final somewhere in the UK. National Competitions provide competitions to suit every boy and company size. Download this form and complete and return to Rathmore by Tuesday 21st September 2010.

KGVI at Rathmore

This year’s course ran from the 17th July until the 23rd July with 13 First Year and 11 Second year Cadets in attendance. KGVI is a unique training course for seniors and young leaders in the Brigade and takes participants through all the requirements of youth leader training, with most young people attending describing it as one of the best weeks in their life. It is an ideal way of training people to be BB leaders.

On Saturday evening, we were glad to welcome Cllr. KennethTwyble to our opening dinner as our special guest. Ken's involvement as Course Tutor over 20 years before, gave him insight into what it was like to be on a KGVI Course. Other visitors included Mr. Steve Dickinson, Brigade Secretary and a number of Brigade Training Officers who shared along with the staff in delivering some of the modules for the week. A visit from our District President, Professor Norman Nevin OBE, gave an opportunity to share by way of practical demonstraion, what had been learnt throughout the week. A great week of fun and fellowship summed up the comments from the Young Men.

Congratulations to the 11 Second Year Cadets on completing their Course. First Years - keep up the hard work and I know you are looking forward to next year's course already.

Youth Leader Training

Do you want to become an officer or just extend your skills and knowledge in working with children and young people? - Then YLT is the course you require.
 
There are eight core modules in YLT of which participants will take six, plus many practical programme and activity modules allowing participants to come away with new ideas and resources for their sections. Core modules include :-

• The BB and the wider voluntary movement
• Building relationships with young people (for those working with over 11's)
• Working effectively with Young People (for those working with over 11's)
• Faith Development
• Equal Opportunities
• Building Relationships with children and their parents or carers (for those working with under 11's)
• Contributing to a child's development through BB (for those working with under 11's)

Sounds quite theoretical but in reality these sessions are very practical. This year residential will take place at Rathmore on 8th-10th October 2010 & 14th-16th January 2011 and at Ganaway on 28th-30th January 2011. Complete the application form and enrol for one of these courses. 
 
Queen's Badge Conference(s) - Initial Notice
 
Two QB Conferences have been arranged for Castledawson (6th October) and Ganaway (12th October) for Captains, Company mentors, Queen's Badge Advisors and Queen's Badge Tutors, with the opportunity to see how recent changes, with the introduction of the NEW Queen's Badge Book have impacted on all involved. Make a note in your diary to attend one of these conferences. Final details will appear here nearer the conference.
 
REC First Aid Course
 
Those interested in a First Aid Residential Course please register your interest by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .
 
Vaulting and Gymnastics Course - 3rd/4th December 2010

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This is a Training Course aimed specifically at those who have experience in PE and who may be given the responsibility for the Vaulting and Gymnastics training in the Company.

WHAT WILL I GET AT THE END?
Successful participants will be invited to attend a Part II Course, which will be held on 13th May 2011, leading to certification as PE Instructors. Only those so certified are suitably qualified to instruct Vaulting and Gymnastic activities.

WHAT IS THE PROGRAMME?
This is a practical course aimed at raising the standard of Instruction and Safety procedure in the Company PE Programme, especially vaulting.

WHEN CAN I REGISTER?
We can only take a limited number on this type of course,  as this course was fully booked last year, immediate registration is advised.  Complete this registration form and return to Rathmore House.

BBNI District Golf Competition

Having had to postpone the NI District Golf Competition due to snow at Easter it was rescheduled to take place at the beginning of the summer. A total of 23 competitors played on the day and all went well, with the weather turning out great. Thanks must go to Ballymena GC for hosting and to Phillip Houston for organising an excellent event.

Results are as follow:-
 

Individual Handicap Competition
1st   Robert McKinney       1st Route                   42 pts
2nd  Adam Gordon           7th Portadown            40 pts
 
Individual Novice Competition
1st   Curtis Kinney            4th Newtownabbey     48 pts
2nd  Johnny Spence          6th Ballymena            46 pts
 
Company Competition
1st   4th Newtownabbey    121 pts
2nd  7th Portadown           114 pts
 
 
Skills for Queen's Badge (S4QB)

All are reminded, that participants in the Queens Badge Residential must be not less than 6 months from the completion of their skills based training, so book your Skills For Queen's Badge early.
        
THAT MEANS THAT THE ONLY SKILLS FOR QUEEN'S BADGE COURSE THAT ENABLES ATTENDANCE AT A QUEEN'S BADGE RESIDENTIAL DURING THIS SESSION IS ON 24th - 26th SEPTEMBER 2010  WITH THE RESIDENTIAL 1st - 3rd APRIL 2011. 
                
If you are interested in these two courses or those listed below please register early to avoid disappointment. This year Skills For Queen's Badge Courses will take place on the following dates :-
                
24th-26th September, 8th-10th October (Ganaway), 22nd-24th October, 19th-21st November, 21st-23rd January, 4th-6th February and 17th-19th June.

Captains Training
 
Ballymena and District Battalion are having a Training Element for new Company Captains on Wednesday, 29th September, starting at 7.30 pm in Rasharkin Presbyterian Church Hall and have kindly opened this up to any new captains. If you wish to attend please contact Fred Kyle no later than Monday 27th September to register your attendance at  This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

New Brigade Training Officer's for BBNI

Having completed their training in June this year Northern Ireland District are pleased to have 14 new Brigade Training Officer to assist in the delivery of Training throughout the province. Having attended an initial training weekend in October 2009, each BTO put their skills to work in assisting at Youth Leader Training, Queen's Badge or other Battalion Training Events, before completing in June. It is hoped that another four, who were unable to complete due to work commitments, will be added to the list in September 2010. The new Brigade Training Officers are Mark Callaghan, Richard Clarke, David Doggart, Lynne Douglas, Allan Graham, Sam Hyde, Sonia Kane, Roger Knipe, Ashley Marshall, Drew Miller, Glen Miller, Paul McCarroll, Naomi Thompson and Stephen White
 
 
Youth Leader Training - Non Residential Course
 
East Antrim Battalion will host a non-residential Youth Leader Training Programme on two Saturday mornings and two Monday evenings in early September. The Course will take place on Monday 6th and 13th September from 19:00 to 22:00 and on Saturday 11th and 18th September from 09:00 - 13:00 and will be ideal for those leaders who cannot commit to a residential weekend. Attendance at ALL sessions is necessary for completion of the course. The event will take place at Saint Nicholas Church, Carrickfergus and is open to ALL Battalions. Forms must be returned to Rathmore no later than 17:00hrs on Thursday 2nd September 2010.