Judo Assist Ireland was incredibly proud and honoured to host the third and final European transnational meeting of our Building Inclusive Attitudes in Sports (BIAS) Erasmus+ Project. This landmark event marked the culmination of months of collaborative work between our partners in Italy, Portugal, and Ireland, all striving towards the same goal: making sports more inclusive, adaptive, and welcoming to everyone.
A Warm Welcome in Wexford
Our action-packed weekend began on Thursday with the arrival of our international delegations to the scenic town of Wexford. We kicked things off with a cultural culinary evening, where our visitors were treated to a traditional Irish food experience – complete with hearty flavours and warm hospitality. It was the perfect way to begin building connections and setting the tone for a weekend of learning and collaboration.
Friday Morning – Phase 1: Around the Table
We launched into our first official session on Friday morning with a round the table discussion focused on sharing insights and progress related to the BIAS project. This phase centred around three key areas: evaluating the current project outcomes, exploring future collaborative initiatives, and finalising the much-anticipated Best Practice Educational Handbook.
The atmosphere was vibrant and engaging, with each partner bringing unique perspectives and experiences to the table. The quality of discussion highlighted the depth of commitment across all organisations involved and laid a strong foundation for future cooperation.
Friday Afternoon – Phase 2: The Technical Part
The second phase of our event saw over 40 martial arts coaches gather for a specialised Adapted Coaching Workshop focused on inclusive coaching practices. Coaches from judo, BJJ, karate, and other disciplines attended the three-and-a-half-hour session, eager to enhance their ability to support athletes with diverse needs.
Led by international inclusion and adapted judo expert James Mulroy, alongside Irish coach Sean Davitt and our esteemed coaching partners from Italy and Portugal, the workshop proved to be an outstanding success. The session was hands-on, informative, and inspiring, with attendees leaving energised and equipped with new ideas to bring inclusivity into their clubs and dojos. With over 40 new coaches now introduced to adapted coaching, the impact of this session will be felt long beyond the weekend.
Saturday Morning – Phase 3: The Practical Part
Saturday morning brought an air of excitement as adapted athletes from across Ireland arrived at the Wexford dojo for a national training session. This dynamic and joyful session provided the perfect opportunity for the coaches from Friday’s workshop to put their new skills into practice.
Athletes enjoyed an engaging training environment led by a diverse team of coaches, each bringing their own approaches and insights. The session was not only valuable in a technical sense but also created an inclusive, fun, and encouraging space where everyone felt welcome and empowered.
Saturday Evening – Phase 4: Cultural Exchange
No visit to Ireland would be complete without a taste of our culture, and Saturday evening did not disappoint. Our guests enjoyed the very best of Wexford’s hospitality, with traditional food, music, and plenty of craic (Irish fun and banter). This cultural exchange was a fitting end to a day of physical activity, reinforcing the connections formed and celebrating our shared values.
Farewell and Gratitude
On Sunday morning, our international guests began their journeys home, making a brief stop in Dublin city centre for a bit of sightseeing and final goodbyes.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the EU Erasmus+ programme for making this project possible, and to every individual—organiser, coach, athlete, parent and volunteer—who played a role in making the weekend such a resounding success.
The spirit of inclusion, collaboration, and shared learning that defined this event will continue to inspire our work and shape the future of adapted sports across Europe.