Billy Murray invited to address Assembly

He has fought countless battles with some of the hardest fighters in the world. He has lived and trained in some of the toughest, Spartan training camps on the world as a young athlete. He is a former, four-time-four-weight world kickboxing champion who by rights should fear no-one.

But local sporting hero Billy Murray has admitted his legs were like “jelly” and he was as nervous as he has ever been when invited to address an assembly of 300 school kids this week.

Murray was returning to Ashfield High School in Belfast, his own former school. He was guest of honour at the annual prize day and was also inducted into the ex-pupils Hall Of Fame. The champ said it was one of the greatest honours of his life.


“It was just wonderful to be welcomed so warmly and treated so well,” he said. “It’s a wonderful school. There is so much enthusiasm about the place, headmaster Mr McMorran and his staff have done an amazing job. Academically, they are one of the best in Northern Ireland and there is such a positive feeling all around. I’d love to be a pupil there now.

“I was asked to address a special assembly in front of 300 pupils as they received end of term awards. There is such a spread of talent and they all should be very proud. But my legs were like jelly. I’ve been in front of some fearsome fighters in the ring, but they have nothing on school-kids. The pupils take no nonsense and will soon tell you if you’re boring or going wrong.

“Thankfully, that didn’t happen. I spoke about the importance of education and why they shouldn’t waste time but listen to teachers as they are there to help. I could have done with the same advice when I was 13!”

Murray added that he had been invited by the Principal to return in the autumn to take a few kickboxing classes for the pupils, something he said he’d looks forward to.

“When I left Ashfield I never thought I’d return as a teacher,” he said. “It’s exciting.”

A special thanks goes to Miss Rachael McCormick for organising the day.

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