Co Kildare martial arts practitioners offering free self-defence classes for women in Clane and its surrounding areas
By Kim O'Leary
Three well-trained martial arts practitioners are offering women’s defence classes in Clane and its surrounding areas to teach women of all ages how to defend themselves, which follows a horrifying incident involving a young woman in the town earlier this week.
MMA practitioner Rob O’Connor, Muay Thai coach Nate Right and MMA fighter Joe Jordan have decided to teach classes for women in the Clane area, while Clane GAA has donated the use of their hall for the classes with the first class to commence on Saturday 7 July at 10am at Clane GAA.
Speaking to KildareNow about the women’s defence classes, Rob O’Connor explained: “The first class will be at 10am on the 7th of July. This is purely a charitable programme being run to benefit women in the local communities. There will be no memberships, no fees and no obligations. We will work with whoever turns up whether it’s one person or 50. The only people that will benefit from this will be participants. It's OK and normal to be afraid but it's not OK to live in fear so if you have been affected by recent or past events now is the time to act.”
It is understood that the defence classes are for women of all ages and abilities, although teenagers will need a consenting adult with them for the duration of the class.
Women will be taught react, escape and get help methods in order to protect themselves during the course of the classes.
Rob has been practicing mixed martial arts (MMA) for over a year, firstly practicing jiu jitsu and then moving onto MMA.
He said: “I've been training every day this year at 6am before work and Saturdays also two evening all building up to a fight on the 30th of June that's why we aren't starting until the 7th I need to finish this. But Nate who I knew from school is the main coach I contacted him to see if he would take charge of the classes and I would be assistant coach while getting it organised. He has been coaching for years and we have both trained with top level guys, UFC coaches and fighters etc, so we are well equipped and Joe Jordan is an MMA fighter of two years with plenty of top level training. We were lucky enough to spend so much time with high level professionals and we want to pass on basic techniques to our sisters mothers and friends. It's the least we can do.”
Speaking of their hope that the classes will give women living in Clane confidence and to bring the community together, Rob said:"We will run it as long as we need to and as long as we can. It's all coming together as we go. But we would like to do at least 6 weeks of it hopefully more."
It is understood that a Facebook page will also be set up shortly for the women’s defence classes and anyone interested is welcome to just come on the day, with the organisers hoping to bring the community together.
The first class is scheduled to take place on Saturday 7 July at 10am in the hall at Clane GAA which is located on the Prosperous Road in Clane. Visit the official Facebook page below: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1842521906051260/about/
Meanwhile, a number of Krav Maga self-defence women's classes organised by IKMF Krav Maga will commence in Maynooth Town Football Club from 25th June until 30th July from 8-9pm, and the classes are free of charge.
The classes are for women aged 17+ of all levels of fitness, and the classes will be taught by female instructor Helen Cantwell.
In a statement, IKMF Krav Maga said: "Given the recent events we are running this women’s only course as a free event, led by one of our female instructors."
IKMF Krav Maga currently operate in Celbridge, Maynooth and Naas. More info can be found here: phoenixkravmaga.ie
The incident in Clane involving a woman aged in her early 20s is alleged to have taken place near the local Aldi store on Millicent Road on Tuesday between 1am and 1.30am.
No arrests have been made yet and Gardai in Clane have renewed their appeal for information on the incident with investigations ongoing. They are appealing for any witnesses who may have seen anything unusual on Millicent Road or who can help Gardaí to contact them at Naas Garda Station on 045 884300.
People may also call the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.