By Fergus Dullaghan
Judo and karate build self-confidence, fitness and mindfulness. One of the other parents at the Geneva school drop-off looked sideways at me, “So you’ve decided to start teaching martial arts to this bunch?” he asked. “On top of your job?”. He patted my shoulder in mock sympathy. I grinned. “I’m just continuing the family tradition,” I said.
And that’s true. I started judo when I was just four years old. Of the three coaches in my club, two were my parents, they had met on the judo mat at university – with my mum having represented Ireland. By aged 12, I was training with them and my brother in Karate as well. I just loved it. The physicality, the techniques, the introduction to Japanese culture and language, but most of all the fun.
Fun is something that is often overlooked by coaches in many walks of life. I was lucky that when I was taught, it was understood that kids' activities should be fun first. If kids are having fun and enjoy coming, then skill development and performance will naturally follow after. Too many people teach as if the opposite were true. And it really isn’t.
The fun-first approach worked for me; and by my mid 20’s I had gone on to become a full-time elite athlete in judo. Getting to train every day alongside world- and Olympic-level athletes at a Team GB performance institute (at Bath University) was an incredible and defining experience. I eventually became Irish National Champion (following my mum’s footsteps) and later won a Commonwealth silver medal.
Now that I am a father of two amazing girls (aged 7 and 4) and very much settled in Geneva, I feel the time is right to pass on what I have learnt – just as my parents did. I believe Judo and karate are like swimming – they are more than just sports. They are a life skill. Learning to defend yourself, learning to fall safely, learning respect, mindfulness, and self-confidence – these are all important things.
So, I’m opening a judo and karate club. I’ll be teaching primarily in English because I want to offer a dedicated club to the international community and provide an English language activity for children outside school.
Classes will be on Wednesday and Friday afternoons for primary school-aged children. Places are very limited because I want to be able to offer high-level coaching – that means small class sizes, where everyone gets the attention they deserve.
I would love to see you and your children there. Why not come along for one of our have-a-go sessions on the 23rd or 25th of August 2023, to see if your children like it?
One last thing… I’m hoping to open an adult club soon too, and in the meantime, I’ll be running women’s self-defence classes in the autumn. So, feel free to get in touch if you would like to know more about that too!
About Head Coach Fergus Dullaghan
Fergus is a life-long martial arts enthusiast, beginning his training in judo at the age of just four. He was awarded full university colours from the University of Wales, Bangor for sport (judo and aikido). Particularly after securing a silver medal at the British University Judo Championships (BUSA).
SWISS INTERNATIONAL FIGHT TEAM (SWIFT)
at: Elite MMA Academy
Rue Rothschild 22
1201 Genève
Contact Fergus Dullaghan
www.swiftacademy.ch
info@swift academy.ch
Trial days on 23 and 25 August 2023.
After this, Fergus will be teaching Wednesdays and Fridays afternoons for primary aged children.
Karate:
Wednesdays 14h-14h55 age 6–8
Wednesdays 15h-16h age 8-10
Judo:
Fridays 16h15-17h age 5-7
Fridays 17h15-18h15 age 8-10
Ask him about the adult club and women’s self-defence classes coming soon.
