This year’s International Men’s Health Week was marked by Fingal County Council with a number of different activities taking place around the county with various sports clubs including a ‘come and try’ Aikido event hosted in Balbriggan by Takemusu Aikido Society.

International Men’s Health Week took place from Monday 10th until Sunday 16th June. It was a reason to remind the public that regular physical activity helps to improve overall health and prevent heart diseases, strokes, diabetes and even cancer.

Aikido is the art of unbalancing the aggressor making him so weak that even people beyond their prime can do it without applying excessive power. But it is only possible when a person maintains his own physical and mental balance.

Therefore aikido focuses on self-balance, awareness and body coordination enabling one to execute techniques without relying on physical strength. This idea seems attractive to older people as about 70% of aikido practitioners worldwide are over 40-years-old. Balbriggan’s men became no exception.

Speaking about the discipline and of its benefits, Raman sensei of Takemusu Aikido Society explained, “Middle-aged people who haven’t exercised for years may be sceptical about it and won’t dare to try. Well, football or rugby is not an option for them, but can they do something else during several decades of active life ahead? An unexpected answer could be traditional martial arts, such as aikido.”

“Many never considered the discipline because martial arts are associated with aggressive fighting, only suitable for young strong men. However, aikido focusing on self-development and self-improvement differs from this stereotype,” he added.

The free come-and-try aikido session saw a few local men in their 40s from Balbriggan and Naul even brave and curious enough to show up at the dojo. The class focused on exploring the core elements of the aikido curriculum and its potential health benefits.

Raman sensei, who spent a decade learning aikido in Japan, began the class with warming-up and core strength exercises, which are essential for maintaining healthy muscles and joints, as well as for developing body balance, stability and coordination. Then he explained safe falling techniques that can prevent injuries caused by slips, trips and falls accidents, which are among the main causes of musculoskeletal injuries in Ireland.

After that, participants delved into Aikido techniques. They tried to replicate basic forms and apply their newly acquired safe-falling skills. After each basic technique, Raman sensei demonstrated how the basic form can evolve into more advanced forms and practical applications.

At the end of the class, all attendees were tired but extremely excited. They enjoyed every second on the mats and hopefully, found their lifelong passion!

Regular training took place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays this month. All students are training really well with an eye on grading at either the JKS National Grading in Drumcondra or at the Club grading next month. The grading’s for new belts are important milestones for each student as they become more proficient at their Karate practice.

We linked in with our JKS Tallaght friends for a fundraising Bag pack for the JKS Ireland Squad members (some who are from JKS Swords), going to Japan in July for the World Karate Championships. We did really well and the funds will go directly to the Squad members to help them with the expenses of this trip.

This month (May), we are delighted to host Masao Kagawa Shihan, 9th Dan JKS, for a three-day seminar. Kagawa Shihan is the World Chief Instructor of JKS Karate and we are very fortunate that he visits Ireland once a year. Over the three days, Kagawa Shihan will instruct members of JKS Swords and other JKS clubs in many technical aspects of karate. He will also conduct Dan grading’s (Black Belt examinations) and Qualifications in areas such as Judging and Refereeing. A full report of the Seminar will follow in next month’s edition of our Club news.

Our Club is always looking for new members (Children, Young People & Adults). Contact Dermot on 087-8073885 for details on how to join our club. You can also contact us on Facebook: JKS Swords Karate Club or on Instagram: @jks_swords_karate_club

Written by Nicole Bermingham

Every Tuesday night, as the streets of Dublin quiet down, a lively scene unfolds within the walls of the Santry Soccer Dome. It’s a gathering like no other, where the love for soccer intertwines with the spirit of camaraderie. Since joining in October 2023, my time at Ball Busters Social Soccer has been nothing short of magical, a weekly highlight that I eagerly anticipate.

Nestled within the heart of our community, the astro pitch transforms into a sanctuary where women of all backgrounds and skill levels come together to celebrate their love for the beautiful game. From the moment I stepped onto the pitch for the first time, I was greeted with smiles and encouragement, instantly feeling a sense of belonging among my fellow players.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Ball Busters Women’s Soccer is the camaraderie that permeates every match. It’s not just about winning or losing; it’s about supporting and uplifting one another, both on and off the field. Whether we’re sharing tips on technique or cheering each other on during a particularly challenging game, there’s a palpable sense of sisterhood that unites us all.

What truly sets Ball Busters apart is its commitment to inclusivity and empowerment. Regardless of our skill level or experience, each of us is valued and respected for the unique strengths we bring to the game. There’s no judgment or competition—just a shared passion for soccer and a determination to have fun while playing.

As the clock strikes 8 p.m. every Tuesday night, I feel a surge of excitement knowing that I’m about to embark on another unforgettable soccer journey. From the exhilarating rush of scoring a goal to the laughter that fills the air during post-match banter, each game is a testament to the resilience and spirit of the women who grace the field.

Beyond the physical benefits of playing soccer, Ball Busters Women’s Social Soccer provides a platform for personal growth and empowerment.

It’s a space where we can challenge ourselves, push our boundaries, and emerge stronger and more confident than ever before. Through the highs and lows of the game, we learn invaluable lessons about teamwork, perseverance, and resilience—lessons that extend far beyond the soccer field and into our everyday lives.

In a world where women’s voices are often silenced or overlooked, Ball Busters Women’s Social Soccer stands as a beacon of empowerment and solidarity. It’s a reminder that when women come together, there’s no limit to what we can achieve. And for that, I am eternally grateful to be a part of this incredible community.

Huge Congratulations to our 1st Year boys and girls Basketball teams who gave up their weekend away in Carlingford with the rest of their year to compete in the All-Ireland Basketball finals in Limerick at the beginning of May. They were a credit to their school, their parents and their club.

The Girls won silver medals, finishing 2nd after 6 really tough games. The Boys were beaten in the plate quarter final having picked up a few injuries late last week. Well done to all the players, parents and coaches!

The members of Junsa Taekwondo continue in their Martial Arts activities going into the summer on a high after a very eventful springtime.

While the students continue to attend their training in their quest for Martial Arts perfection, some of the group members were also busy in action over the past number of weeks.

Club members entered the recent TI development Poomsae tournament and there were some very proud moments for the club when Ellen heavily impressed the judges and narrowly missed out on a medal in her very first Poomsae tournament. The club and head coach Stuart Russell were trilled when Ellen got the opportunity to train with the Irish National Poomsae Squad at the event!

Junsa Taekwondo are focused on offering a safe and family-oriented Martial Arts experience for students of all ages, young & old.

Junsa Taekwondo train on a regular basis in Lusk Scout Halll – for more information please email: stuartpatrickrussell@gmail.com.

It’s been an exciting time in the last month or so with our athletes completing marathons and half marathons in Boston, London, Connemara, Limerick and Belfast. It’s not all about the longer distances though and the club encourages participation in everything from sprints to hurdles as well as hill and mountain running. We have great coaches who are helping our athletes to hone their skills at a range of track and field events. Well done to all who have competed so far this year and good luck to everyone for the remainder of the season. Registration for our Summer Camp in August is now open.

St. Mary’s Baton Twirlers have had a productive and impactful first quarter of the year with 12 athletes qualifying at the ABTI National Trials to be part of a 46-strong Irish Squad that will compete in the EFBT European Championships in Czech Republic in July.

The club also hosted a Thrive Connect Cafe facilitated by Aoife from Thrive Balbriggan in the Bracken Court Hotel. “It was lovely for different generations from the club to get together and discuss the importance of girls and women to be involved and stay in sports. There were also discussions on issues around the fast pace of changes in technology for the older generation. Thanks to Fingal Community Development Office for supporting this event for International Women’s Day,” a spokesperson for the club said.

Additionally, coaches from the club were present at the launch of Fingal County Council’s guide to becoming an anti-racism organisation and they took some time to chat with Deputy Mayor of Fingal Councillor Grainne Maguire.

The club stated its commitment to not only excel in their sport but also engage in meaningful discussions and community initiatives reflects the values of teamwork, leadership, and social awareness within the organisation.

We had a busy month with regular training taking place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays along with a fundraising Bag Pack, competing in the Piltown Open Championships in Clonmel and Squad training with JKS Ireland. Our fundraising Bag Pack took place in Dunne’s/JCs in Swords. The purpose of the fundraiser was to raise funds for our students who are going to Japan in July to compete in the JKS World Karate Championships. We had two teams who volunteered for this fundraiser, and they spent Friday evening and all-day Saturday packing groceries for the customers of Dunne’s/JCs. We would like to thank the customers who supported us so magnificently in this fund raiser as we raised over €2000 for our students going to Japan. We hosted JKS Ireland Squad training in Applewood Community Centre this month. Our focus is getting our students ready to compete on the world stage at the World Championships and we covered Kihon, Kata and Kumite as well pushing hard on our general fitness levels. We travelled to Clonmel to compete in the annual Piltown Open Karate Championships. It was a long day as this is an extremely popular competition, but our Squad did very well taking home a number of prizes on the day. Danny, Lola, and Sophia each took third place in Kata while Sophia also took home third place in her kumite section. This is great preparation for the World Championships and our next competition is in early July, a week before we travel. We hosted JKS Ireland Brown & Black Belt training, as well as JKS Ireland Squad training in preparation for the World Championships. Finally, Ava Kane was presented with her Shodan (1 st Black Belt) Diploma and Darragh O’Sullivan was presented with his Nidan (2nd Black Belt) Diploma this month. Our Club is always looking for new members (Children, Young People & Adults). Contact Dermot on 087-8073885 for details on how to join our club. You can also contact us on Facebook: JKS Swords Karate Club or on Instagram: @jks_swords_karate_club

Currently the club are seeking an experienced person for the role of Bar Manager. There is an excellent package for the right applicant. We are seeking an energetic, enthusiastic Bar Manager. Please call Marian 0876819540 or email. We are also building teams at present. if you are interested in getting involved in playing Gaelic football, come along for a really fun filled football hour every Thursday and also Saturday. Finally, congratulations to Mary who came in to collect her winnings from our club lottery. She was joined by family and friends on the evening. Happy spending Mary and folks please remember our lottery finances our club and your support is most welcome.

iSecure Swords Thunder took on St Paul’s Killarney on Saturday 13th April as both teams returned to National Basketball Arena or the Div1 League Trophy Final and took home the Trophy. With a Tip Off at 5.45pm there was nothing between the teams at the end of the third quarter with the scoreboard reading 16 -16. The end-to-end plays continued and there still remained parity at the end of the second quarter at 34- 34. After half time the Thunder girls upped their game and went ahead for the first time in the game which left the third quarter scoreline at 54-47. St Pauls fought hard to even the scoring but the Thunder wre not to be bested on the day and came away 69 -63 winners as the new Division 1 Trophy winners. Congratulations to the team and their coaches and mentors.