Children participate in innovative boxing project

A GROUP of 24 children who took part in an innovative boxing project in North Clondalkin Library attended an awards ceremony last week to mark their completion of the programme.

The event was held in the library last Wednesday, June 12, for the children aged between seven and 13 who completed the library’s JumpStart Boxing Academy programme.

The JumpStart Boxing Academy was devised by Andre Roode from North Clondalkin Library and local boxing coach Paddy Jennings.

The youngsters were put through their paces during the six-week programme, which has been a resounding success for both the library and the participants.

The awards ceremony last week gave the children the chance to reflect on their achievement, while councillors Shane Moynihan, Niamh Fennell and Glen Moore were special guests at the ceremony.

Rosena Hand from North Clondalkin Library told The Echo: “On the night, there was a huge attendance with excited participants and their family members at the award ceremony in North Clondalkin Library.

“The awards ceremony was attended by special guests Cllr Shane Moynihan, along with newly-elected local councillors Niamh Fennell and Glen Moore, performing their first official duties since being elected.”

This is the seventh group to have participated in and graduated from the JumpStart Boxing Academy, and demand shows no sign of slowing down.

“JumpStart Boxing Academy continues to be incredibly successful – with expressions of interest already coming thick and fast,” added Rosena.

“We would like to thank Active South Dublin for their continued support.”

The next round of boxing sessions will begin in September. Bookings will take place on North Clondalkin Library’s Facebook page, and the sessions are aimed at seven to 13-year-olds.