Nenagh plays host to Monumental Sporting Event
The Tipperary Open Judo Friendship Games 2016 was held last weekend (8th Oct) in, Nenagh Community College Sports Hall, a world class venue by any standards.
Participants from all over Ireland descended on Nenagh to take part in what was the only event of its kind in the world.
The Tipperary Open Judo Friendship Games was organised to bring together two great elements of sport, competitiveness and inclusion. Judo as a sport is the second most participated sport in the world and is an Olympic, Paralympic, Special Olympic and Special Needs/Autism sport.
Although mainstream judo and special needs judo train side by side all the time rarely do they compete together at the same event.
This inaugural event attracted competitors, both mainstream and special needs, from the length and breadth of Ireland who embraced and supported the uniqueness of this event.
The event was attended by over 300 competitors, hundreds of parents & supporters and a host of distinguished guests from Judo Ireland, Tipperary Sports Partnership and local businesses.
The tremendous community spirit and help that this event attracted was commendable.
Apart from the fantastic venue and invaluable assistance from the principal and staff of Nenagh Community College, help was also forthcoming from the amazing TY students of the CBS Nenagh who gave freely of their time all day Saturday to assist with the proceedings.
The generosity and support of both locally based national businesses and local businesses was amazing.
The event was proudly supported by Bike Park Ireland, Tipperary Water, The Logo Factory Nenagh, Victoria’s Beauty Cloughjordan, Taffs Car Valeting, Razors Edge Barbers, Central Auctions , Liffey Mills, The Engine Room Portumna, Michele Kennedy Reiki, Skehanagh Wind Farm Ltd, Tim Gleeson Machinery, Agri Needs Birr and Osmonds Veteriney Remedies.
Local businesses also benefited from the inflow of hundreds of people requiring food, drink & accommodation over the weekend making it a great success all round.
This unique event was the brainchild of James Mulroy, chairman & founder of Judo Assist Ireland and head coach of Black Eagle Judo. His vision was to have mainstream & special needs athletes competing side by side at the same event and that is exactly what was achieved.
Almost 100 children with additional needs competed for the very first time and did so alongside their mainstream peers.
As the event was open to children & adults alike, for the first parents & children got the opportunity to compete alongside each other, encapsulating the pure definition of inclusion and sport for all.
Huge congratulations to the host club Judo Assist & Black Eagle Judo who won an incredible 75 medals & trophies over various categories on the day, they amounted to 22 Gold, 20 Silver and 33 Bronze.
Planning for next year’s event has already begun with plans to make it an international event and attract even more people to experience what Nenagh has to offer.
www.blackeaglejudo.com – www.Judoassist.ie – Facebook Judo Assist