KICK online programme proving a huge success

KICK online programme proving a huge success

THE KICK (Kickboxing to Inspire & Challenge Kids) programme has met the challenge of the COVID-19 crises head-on, with their online sessions proving a huge success.

The award winning 12 week programme aims to improve at-risk teenagers’ physical and mental well-being by combining kickboxing techniques and challenging youth work activities.

Zak Riddell compressor

Zak Riddell

Students who complete the KICK programme are invited to participate in a new KICK Leaders programme to further develop their kickboxing ability, develop leadership skills and gain an accredited Sports Leader Level 2 award.

Set up by Karl Flynn in association with the South Dublin County Sports Partnership four years ago, the initiative has been supported by other local coaches such as James McGuirk and the Riddell family, Lorraine, Jake, Zak and Josh.

“I founded KICK back in 2016 in collaboration with SDCSP and every year it kind of grew and developed into more and more programmes with the demand” explained Flynn.

“After its social innovation win and success, there was money to make it a full time job. Now we are in five different Partnership locations and able to hire a team of the best coaches in the sport. It’s been an unbelievable four years.

Speaking about the team’s efforts to circumvent the problems that arose as the result the Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown, Flynn explained “Our online campaign began at the start of lockdown when myself, Lorraine and the team put our heads together mid-course, thinking how we could continue the programme and reach all our target groups

“The lockdown has us locked in, but thanks to South Dublin County Partnership and our dedi-cated team of champion coaches, we launched our KICK online quarantine routine campaign.

James McGuirk compressor

James McGuirk

“We made a short video and the demand and feedback was so much so that we now, seven weeks later, produce weekly content for all our specific courses

“We are delighted the engagement level has been so high and look forward to welcoming more students to the online course.

You can find all KICK class content on the KICK Ireland YouTube channel or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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