Budding stars of the future develop with a smile at the Prokick Gym in Belfast.
The gym’s young students, aged from six to 12, take part in a monthly fun day that tests their skills and development in the martial art and since its inception 16 months ago the event has become an important part of the Prokick calendar.
The day, called Prokick Says, is based on the old playground game Simple Simon Says. Veteran coach and former world champion Billy Murray tests his students through a variety of games that incorporate the use of kickboxing manoeuvres and skills.
“We started the Prokick Says day with the aim of doing something different to the younger members of the gym, to eliminate any stress that may come with our grading system.


“So the kids are being graded without feeling any pressure. The don’t see it as a test they see it as an occasion to have a laugh and step outside their disciplined class for a day.

“I honestly didn’t expect the day to become a regular thing but after the first one we now have more and more younger people joining the gym to be part of it.”
On top of having a good time and passing grades, the teeny-tiny kickboxers get special one-to-one coaching from some of Prokick’s world champions, including Gary Hamilton, Lydia Braniff and Andrew Grimason and Celtic champions Ian Young and Cathy McAleer.





Lydia, the British, European and World Atomweight champion said: “I look forward to the Prokick Says fun day because it’s a release from training for me too. The response from the students make it worthwhile getting out of bed for on a Saturday morning!”

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