Judo Assist Ireland hosts International Inclusion Friendship Games in Nenagh

The International Tipperary Judo Friendship Inclusion Games 2024 took place on Saturday, October 26th last at Nenagh College Sports Arena, marking another milestone in inclusive sports.

This unique event, organised by James Mulroy of Judo Assist Ireland, drew participants from across Ireland, Northern Ireland, Great Britain, Italy, Switzerland, and Germany, making it the world’s only fully autism-friendly, inclusive judo event of its kind.

Now in its eighth year, the Games continue to grow, fostering an environment that celebrates both competitiveness and inclusion.

Judo, one of the world’s most popular sports and a fixture in the Olympic, Paralympic, Special Olympics, and Special Needs/Autism sports communities, typically sees mainstream and adaptive athletes training together but rarely competing side by side.

The Tipperary Friendship Games uniquely bridge this gap, creating a platform where athletes of all abilities can come together in a spirit of mutual respect, understanding, and shared passion for judo.

This year, the event welcomed a diverse range of competitors from across Europe and Ireland, all embracing the inclusive ethos. Competitors were not only able to showcase their judo skills but also contributed to a broader message of unity and acceptance in sports.

The Games attracted more than 400 attendees, including competitors, coaches, parents, officials, and volunteers. Nearly 120 children with additional needs had the chance to compete alongside their mainstream peers, demonstrating that inclusion is not just a concept but an actionable, empowering reality.

Judo Assist Ireland took careful steps to make the event as accessible as possible with express check-in, large-screen visual schedulers, and color-coded fields of play. In addition, the event employed the services of a specially trained team of adaptive judo referees from Italy, Switzerland, Northern Ireland, Germany, and Ireland ensuring that every match upheld the highest standards of safety, respect, and enjoyment, reflecting the values of inclusivity and care at the core of the event.

This year's Games were not just about sports but about community. The Black Eagle Judo/Judo Assist Ardcroney club, the local host, made an impressive showing with a medal haul of 8 Gold, 9 Silver, and 15 Bronze medals, further underscoring the spirit of excellence and commitment in their athletes.

The enthusiasm and dedication of local volunteers, community members, visiting coaches, and parents brought an incredible energy to the event. National and local businesses also showed their support, underscoring the strong community bond. Proud supporters, including Tipperary County Council, Nenagh Municipal District, and ABP Nenagh, played a key role in making the Games a resounding success.

Local businesses flourished as well, with hundreds of guests boosting the town’s economy by filling hotels, restaurants, and cafes. The Abbey Court Hotel, Lough Derg House in Dromineer, Abbey View B&B Nenagh, and Andy’s Gastropub catered to the guests with warm hospitality, leaving a lasting impression on international visitors and showing Nenagh at its very best.

The 2024 Games also served as a pivotal qualifier for the Judo Assist Team Ireland squad, set to represent Ireland at one of Europe’s premier adaptive judo festivals next May in Poschiavo, Switzerland. Of the 22 competitors selected for the squad, 15 hail from Nenagh and its surrounding areas, underscoring the town’s deep-rooted connection to this inspiring sport.

The International Tipperary Judo Friendship Inclusion Games stand as a testament to the power of sport to unite and uplift, offering a profound model for inclusive competition and community engagement. This year’s event has once again proven that, through commitment, collaboration, and compassion, the barriers to true inclusivity in sport can be overcome.

To view a snapshot of this year’s event, follow the link, https://youtu.be/v8Pj0HMuCag

For more information about Judo Assist Ireland and its ambitions visit www.Judoassist.ie or call/text/WhatsApp 086 0612544