Young Jiu-Jitsu stars from Tipperary set for European Championships
A GoFundMe has been set up to help fund the three girls competing at the IBJJF European Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Lisbon this October
Three talented young Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes from south Tipperary are training harder than ever as they prepare to represent their club and county at the IBJJF European Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Lisbon this October.
Saoirse Gilshenan from Mullinahone and sisters Ellé and Paige Lyons from Grangemockler are part of a seven-member team selected to compete at the prestigious international event after years of dedication to the sport.
The girls, who train together three times a week as standard, have now increased their preparations to six sessions a week ahead of the championships for Paige and Saoirse, and eight to nine sessions a week for Ellé.
The girls have been training together for almost four years, while Ellé has been involved in the sport for seven years and Paige for six.
Speaking about the preparations, one of the parents explained that competing internationally involves a lot more than flights and accommodation.
"The girls need competition licences, entry fees and plenty of competition preparation before Lisbon," she said.
"They're currently doing one to one preparation with a wrestling coach every week. Their coaches already give up so much of their own time, but there are still costs involved that we have to cover."
She added that specialist competition equipment is another expense many don’t know about.
"They have to wear IBJJF-approved competition gear, and those costs all add up. Jiu-jitsu isn't a cheap sport anyway, but we want to make sure the girls have everything they need to perform at their best."
To help cover the estimated €1,500 to €2,500 cost per athlete, the families have launched a GoFundMe campaign. The fundraiser will help pay for competition entry, travel, accommodation, coaching, training and event registration, allowing the girls to focus on competing rather than the financial burden.
The response from the local community has already been overwhelming, said the parents of the girls.
"We've had so much support from friends, family, neighbours and local businesses," one parent said.
"We recently held a team fundraiser and so many people donated. Our local bakery provided pastries and buns, Aldi donated water, and a sound and stage company supplied lighting to help make it a real event.
"Everyone keeps asking how the girls are getting on and how training is going. It's been really lovely."
Each girl was eager to use the interview to thank those who have helped them along the way. Saoirse thanked coaches JP, Dom, Danny (her Dad), Matty, Ryan and Myles, as well as her training partners at the girls gym/team Myalo.
Ellé thanked fellow teammates who will be travelling to Lisbon with them: Axl, Ayan, Gerry and Grace. Asked what they were most looking forward to in Lisbon, the girls were very honest. "The pool," said Saoirse. Ellé had a more competitive goal. "Winning," she said.
But it was Paige who summed up what the opportunity means to her and what she’s most looking forward to: "Representing my country," she answered.
The families say every donation, no matter how small, will help Saoirse, Ellé and Paige continue their journey to the European Championships and proudly represent their communities of Mullinahone, Grangemockler and Tipperary on the international stage. The donation page can be found via gofundme .