Help Rebuild Swords Judo Club
Donation protected
Swords Judo Club is a volunteer-run, kids judo club located in Kettles Lane in Swords. Unfortunately, our training centre was badly damaged as a result of a fire on Friday, 19th January. A unit beside our club caught fire and the emergency services had to cut into our facility to stop the fire from spreading further. Thankfully, the fire brigade did a great job in containing it, but there was still extensive damage to our unit and equipment.
Swords Judo Club has been a central part of the local community for the last 25 years. Thousands of kids have trained in the club and we have produced over a hundred All-Ireland and Irish Open champions over the past 2 and a half decades. Our club members are heavily involved in running national and international competitions. Our players have competed in Junior World Championships, European Youth Olympics and continental opens across the world. The club is run by coaches, Leo Gibbons and Tim Stewart, who have recently been awarded 6th Dan and 4th Dan black belts respectively in recognition of their contributions to the development of judo in Ireland.
Tim and Leo have put so much of their own time and money into building the club and facilities over the years. Neither of them take a salary from the club and any profits from running competitions or training sessions have always been reinvested into the club and its players.
An assessment will take place this week to see the full scale of the damage, but already we have seen that the sprung floor will need to be taken up and relaid due to water damage. Most of our mats are damaged and will need to be replaced or refurbished. There is a large hole in the back wall and part of the ceiling has suffered fire damage. There is no electricity in the unit since the fire and it will need to be rewired. The costs associated with repairing the club are still being estimated, but any donation, no matter how big or small, would be greatly appreciated by the club and its members. We would also appreciate any help with building, materials, deep cleaning, etc.
Another key thing we are looking for is somewhere to train in until we get back into a permanent unit. If anyone has a mat area or unit in Swords we could use temporarily we would be extremely grateful. We have a large number of kids training for the upcoming Irish Open and having somewhere for them to train is key in keeping them playing sports regularly.
We are very grateful for all the offers of support, practical assistance and kind words received so far from everyone in the local community, as well as the wider Irish judo community.
If anyone wishes to reach out to us, please feel free to email us at [email redacted] or message our Facebook page: Swords Judo Club.
Here is the training facility before the fire:
Swords Judo Club has been a central part of the local community for the last 25 years. Thousands of kids have trained in the club and we have produced over a hundred All-Ireland and Irish Open champions over the past 2 and a half decades. Our club members are heavily involved in running national and international competitions. Our players have competed in Junior World Championships, European Youth Olympics and continental opens across the world. The club is run by coaches, Leo Gibbons and Tim Stewart, who have recently been awarded 6th Dan and 4th Dan black belts respectively in recognition of their contributions to the development of judo in Ireland.
Tim and Leo have put so much of their own time and money into building the club and facilities over the years. Neither of them take a salary from the club and any profits from running competitions or training sessions have always been reinvested into the club and its players.
An assessment will take place this week to see the full scale of the damage, but already we have seen that the sprung floor will need to be taken up and relaid due to water damage. Most of our mats are damaged and will need to be replaced or refurbished. There is a large hole in the back wall and part of the ceiling has suffered fire damage. There is no electricity in the unit since the fire and it will need to be rewired. The costs associated with repairing the club are still being estimated, but any donation, no matter how big or small, would be greatly appreciated by the club and its members. We would also appreciate any help with building, materials, deep cleaning, etc.
Another key thing we are looking for is somewhere to train in until we get back into a permanent unit. If anyone has a mat area or unit in Swords we could use temporarily we would be extremely grateful. We have a large number of kids training for the upcoming Irish Open and having somewhere for them to train is key in keeping them playing sports regularly.
We are very grateful for all the offers of support, practical assistance and kind words received so far from everyone in the local community, as well as the wider Irish judo community.
If anyone wishes to reach out to us, please feel free to email us at [email redacted] or message our Facebook page: Swords Judo Club.
Here is the training facility before the fire:
Organizer and beneficiary
Eddie McLoughlin
Organizer
County Dublin
Leo Gibbons
Beneficiary