Jump Start boxing kids ‘proud and excited’ to finish training

THIRTY children from Clondalkin completed five-weeks training under the Jump Start boxing initiative and received their participation certificates at an awards ceremony in the local library.

Paddy Jennings, Jump Start boxing, Andre Goode, North Clondalkin Library, and Active South Dublin presented the certificates while Stuart Goodall, Chairman of Collinstown Football Club was a special guest.

“Paddy started Jump Start boxing, he trains the local kids,” said Gráinne Breen, South Dublin Libraries.

“It started as a small group in the library and it progressed to expand over to Collinstown Sports Centre, which is across the road from the library.”

Two different classes of 15 were in training for the Jump Start certificates.

The juniors were in North Clondalkin Library while the seniors were in the Collinstown Sports Centre, where the hall was paid for by Active South Dublin. 

The library is very happy with how the event went. 

“All the children’s’ families were there, it was a really big turnout”, Grainne said. 

“We got really good feedback, everyone was really excited and really proud about finishing the training.”

The awards were set up by Paddy and Andre over a year ago. Paddy, a former Irish Champion at light welter weight (10st 4pounds), has been very involved in boxing for the last thirty-five years, and is also a referee.

Andre, who has assisted Paddy in the sessions, is “very helpful”, said Paddy.

Explaining how Jump Start began, Paddy said: “Andre and I started chatting, we were looking to get children in the area involved in something positive, and we came up with Jump Start Boxing.” 

At the training sessions the children learn the basic foundations of boxing.

“It has gone real well, they’ve really seemed to enjoy it and it’s good for their physical and mental wellbeing too,” he added.

Approximately 140 children have received training under the initiative since it began.

A previous participant, Kim Chrystal, who has gone on to join Palmerstown Boxing Club, is a winner of the Dublin Leagues, a boxing championship for girls.

Paddy was keen to mention some other people, as well as Andre, without whom Jump Start would not be possible, including Thos McDermott, Active South Dublin, and Rosina Hand, Manager of North Clondalkin Library.

He also thanked the parents for bringing their children along to the sessions.

Paddy is looking to spread the initiative to more libraries and perhaps schools.

“Jump Start began in St Aidan’s Community School, Tallaght on Monday, January 15 and it will start in Divine Mercy Junior National School, Balgaddy on February 21,” he said.