Local karate kids cause a ripple effect

A SANTRY based group that caters for children on the autism spectrum, or do not fit in with mainstream activities, sent three of its members to Antwerp, Belgium, last month to compete in an inclusive karate competition.

Four years ago Anne Caulfield set up Ripple Effect where the children also participate in activities such as football, swimming, drama and dodgeball. The karate classes are held at Larkhill Karate Club.

Growing from one group of 11 to six classes of approximately 10 each, Ms Caulfield never expected such a vast growth in the last four years and is proud to see the positive effects it has on the kids. 

After her son Eoghan found it difficult to participate in mainstream karate she decided to set up a group for children experiencing the same problems.

“With mainstream activities with our children, it’s not that they can’t perform the activity, but there is so much pressure from other areas,” she said.

“All the activities and the summer camps that Ripple Effect run, you work on your own performance and for some, being in the hall for the hour is a major thing.”

Ms Caulfield was running out of superlatives when talking about group sensai Brian ‘Bing’ Carroll who brings both the teachings of karate and the patience to get the best out of his students accompanied with a different ethos – fun and games.

“He is absolutely brilliant with the kids, they respond to him so well and it is just amazing to see,” she said.  

“He comes with the karate experience but he also listens because some of them have different issues and he actually accepts that some aren’t going to do karate for the whole hour.

“It’s all about getting understanding coaches and understanding people who are actually in it because they want to help the children and not in it for the results so their class looks good.”

Ms Caulfield says there are times when they implement other activities with the karate such as dodgeball because it keeps the students interested and maintains the fun element they all want.

Eoghan Caulfield, along with Alex Chan and Lee Cadwell, and two other children from Ashbourne, travelled to Belgium to compete in the competition.  

“I never dreamt that my son would be going off to Belgium to represent Ireland and it was the first time Ireland sent a team to an inclusive competition,” she said.  “It has just made such a difference to my children and I can only talk about my own personal experience.

“It is a huge credit to the group and for Brian for pushing the karate because we are trying to get other coaches around Dublin and Ireland to take groups like this on board.”

Ms Caulfield said the trip toBelgium went really well for the chilldren. 

“It  was an amazing experience for everyone involved,” she added.