Last weekend marked a
once in a lifetime trip for a host of young Northern Irish sporting
stars. The youngsters, made up of Kickboxing Gyms around the
country, were in Switzerland all taking part in an exclusive
event in the ski-resort Villars at the foot of the Alps. 
Vs 
The
trip was the result of months of fundraising by the children
and their families to help make the dream of heading abroad
a reality.
“It has been a brilliant thing to
witness,” said ProKick head coach Billy Murray. “For
many of these kids – all of whom are aged between 6-12
years old – this was their first time on a plane and
their first trip abroad. They were selected on merit to perform
at the event in Switzerland and it was down to the dedication
of the children and their families that we were able to take
so many of them to the centre of Europe, Switzerland . The
sport receives no funding in Northern Ireland unlike in other
European countries and the only way to give these children
such a wonderful opportunity was to work hard and raise the
funds ourselves.”
   
Murray added: “The development of kids from both sides
of the divide is a cornerstone of Prokick and Golden Dragon
Gyms. They have fun and they get fit. It was a wonderful opportunity
for them to have headed to a major international event, see
professional and amateur bouts at close quarters, but also
to see something of the world and soak up other cultures.
It was a thrill for them. I just wish we could have taken
all our junior members!”
 Such
was the interest in the travelling team of young ProKick stars,
that the British Ambassador to the UN Mrs Suzanne Gregory
travelled from Geneva to watch the youngsters in action.
She said from the ringside in Villars, "This is a great
thing that I have witnessed tonight. Children from all walks
of life involved in a sport that is steeped in respect for
your opponent. I was particularly impressed in how committed
the coaches and everyone involved to make events like this
a success. I'm leaving here tonight with a different perception
of the sport of kickboxing. It's a great sport for young and
old alike."
Several senior members of the ProKick team,
including world champion Gary Hamilton and Ian Young, also
competed in the Villars event. See
here for results
Hamilton headed the bill in an all Ireland
assault against the Swiss - two wins a piece and two draws
setting up the two nations for a return match this time in
Northern Ireland's capital early in the new year.
Special thanks to Carl Emery, Claude Oehrli
and Serge Beslin for their hospitality and a well run event
and we all look forward to returning next year for 'Punch
on the Rocks II'.
Special thanks to Carl Emery, Claude Oehrli
and Serge Beslin for their hospitality and a well run event
- we all look forward to returning next year for 'Punch on
the Rocks II'.
Punch on the Rocks–
Villars
If any supporters would like to leave
a thank you to the tourist office or the promoters - you can
do so by logging onto Villars web site at www.villars.ch
For more info on Kickboxing
:-
t: 00 44 (0)28 9065 1074
e: prokick@group.tm
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