GLASNEVIN based kickboxing coach, Jon Mackey, has been elected to the coveted position of Irish national coach for the governing body of Kickboxing in Ireland.
Mackey, who operates Red Star Kickboxing gym in Glasnevin, was recently given the nod by the membership of Kickboxing Ireland to head the light contact discipline for the kickboxing NGB (national governing body).
The election to this senior position within the organisation comes on the back of some very prestigious wins for Mackey’s fighters on the national and international circuit.
Well known international circuit fighters such as current European kickboxing champion, Lauren Bradshaw, current world kickboxing champion, Eliza Bluma and world silver medallist Brendan Kenny all fight out of Mackey’s gym.
Since becoming assistant national coach in 2013 Mackey has been working with the Irish national teams, both senior and junior, and has built reputation as a technical coach with a unique understanding of kickboxing sport sparring.
“To be trusted with the development of our national teams is a huge honour for me,” Mackey said after the election.
“I’ve been teaching and training kickboxing athletes in the Dublin 7 and 11 areas for more than 12 years now. Over that time we have brought many prestigious titles back to Dublin.
“In 2013 at the European championships in Poland the director of coaching, Michael McDermott, spotted the work I was doing and asked me to become involved at a national level with Kickboxing Ireland.
“This was the turning point in my coaching career, it allowed me to work along side an absolute legend and tactician in our sport – Mr Ian Kingston, who had been Irish national coach for over 10 years.
“Since 2013, I had been his apprentice, listening, observing and learning the tactics, concepts and techniques used at an international standard. To take over from Ian on his retirement from the role is a dream come true.”
This year Mackey will work with the junior and senior national kickboxing teams as they prepare for the junior European championships in Macedonia and the senior world championships in Brazil.
Northside People wishes him the best of luck!