Hey folks! Guess what? Our very own North Belfast martial arts club just became the best junior team in all of Ireland! Can you believe it? Last Saturday, our talented junior athletes from the Grove & Merville Jiu-Jitsu club team headed to the National Indoor Arena in Dublin for the Irish Junior Open in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. And let me tell you, they absolutely rocked it!
A total of 23 junior athletes from our club went up against a whopping 557 competitors from all over Ireland. Talk about a tough competition! But our team didn’t back down. They fought with all their might and brought home the bling. They won an incredible three gold, thirteen silver, and three bronze medals for our North Belfast clubs. And that’s not all! The combined team from all Team Ryano affiliates, including our club, took first place as the top junior team in Ireland. How amazing is that?
Our head coach, Robert Cullinan, couldn’t be prouder of our young warriors. He said, ‘Considering we only returned to Grove Leisure Centre in January after the Covid break, our athletes showed exceptional performances under pressure in Dublin. Whether they won a medal or not, we are incredibly proud of each and every one of them.’
But you know what? It takes a village to achieve such incredible results. Our Parent’s Committee Chairman, Peter Cates, highlighted the immense support and preparation that went into this success. He said, ‘It’s hard for others to fully appreciate just how much support and background preparation goes into making a result like this. The potential in many of these juniors is huge. To everyone who helped in any way, you know who you are – thank you. We could not have done it without you.’
And let’s not forget our amazing volunteer coaches who dedicate their time and expertise to train our young athletes. A big shoutout to Dee B, Michael, Jim, Dee Mc, Roger, Sophie, and Jack. You guys are the real MVPs!
Our club has never been stronger, with a growing number of members. But hey, there’s always room for a few more little ninjas. If you’re interested, you can find more details about both clubs on their Facebook pages or website. Why not drop by one evening, watch a class, and get yourself or your child involved? It’s a fantastic way to stay fit, learn self-defense, and be part of an incredible community. We can’t wait to welcome you!