My son Jamie and I, with the support of Master James Whelan VII, Mr Mick Whelan V, Ms Clare Harney IV, began an Adaptive Taekwondo class in May of this year.

I was approached Bray Lakers, a local sports and recreational club whose aim is to enable children and adults with an intellectual disability to develop their innate skills and self-esteem in an environment which is inclusive and supportive with the idea of starting a class with their members.

Since then our club has gone from strength to strength and now has 12 members, male and female all ages ranges and all different abilities.

We offer training once a week and many of our members are joining our other classes so the whole club is truly inclusive.

2 of our members, Mark and Lloyd, won silver and bronze in an interclub competition ran by East Coast Taekwondo Sport in October.

On the 4th of December, 2 of our members, Mark and Siobhan, graded under  Master James Whelan VII, Mr Mick Whelan V, Ms Clare Harney IV and were promoted to 9th Kup.

We’re so very proud of all their achievements and can’t wait to see what 2023 holds for us.

The attached photo shows Mark and Siobhan, 9th Kup, and my son Jamie who was promoted to 1st-degree black belt at our black belt grading on the 4th of December.

Rory Murphy