A Belfast man who delivers a mixed martial arts (MMA) programme to more than 400 children across the city has described how the contact sport is instilling respect and bringing communities together.
Jordan Smith, from Savage Martial Arts in north Belfast, was recently awarded a global recognition prize for his work in community development.
The 27-year-old delivers a ‘Life Skills Programme’ through primary schools across the city – including in interface areas.
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Speaking to The Irish News, Mr Smith said that the classes were helping to overcome divisions within communities.
Jordan Smith of Savage Martial Arts PICTURE: BRIAN LINCOLN
“We have a lot of cross-community factors as we work mainly in east Belfast, south Belfast and the Short Strand as well,” he said.
“This is actually interlocking all the communities together.
“We have some of the Indian communities, we have also Catholic and Protestant and they’re all coming to train in our gym, where there is no religion.
“We’re all a team and we’re all family – which is absolutely amazing and that’s breaking down barriers within the communities as well.”
He added that the focus was on the children being taught values of respect, discipline and confidence.
Jordan with his Global Recognition Award PICTURE: BRIAN LINCOLN
“We teach life skills,” he said.
“A main teaching point in our classes is self-discipline; that whenever you’re acting out in anger, that’s not the right way to do it and there’s better ways to deal with it.
“We really find that brings the best out in the children at home, school and all aspects of their life.”
Mr Smith said there is a noticeable difference in the confidence the children have within a matter of months.
“I’ve had parents cry to me,” he said.
“We have some kids who come in who are just so underconfident but then within the space of two, three months with our classes, they’re up leading classes,” he said.
The former boxer said he hoped to replicate the sense of community that he felt at boxing clubs growing up and that the children will carry those values with them into adult life.
“I’ve been boxing for a long time, since the age of seven,” he said.
“It really was one of the best things that I ever done; it kind of broke me away from running about the streets with a bad crowd.
“That’s what we’re trying to replicate with the next generation.”
He added that parents ask him “on a weekly basis” if MMA is dangerous.
“Everything can be dangerous, but all our classes are controlled, safe environments.
“It’s about building them up not knocking them down.”