Wild E3 Community Days Recap
We were honoured to be invited by the Clarion Housing Association to participate in the Wild E3 project, an initiative focused on exploring and promoting green spaces within the local community. This was an exciting opportunity for us to introduce young people to martial arts, not just as a sport, but as a holistic approach to personal development and well-being. Our aim was to engage the community, fostering both physical activity and a deeper connection to the evolving local green spaces.
Day 1: Kicking Off at Candy Street
Our first day of the Wild E3 project in partnership with Clarion Housing was a great introduction to the community at Candy Street. We had the opportunity to meet and engage with local residents, many of whom expressed a keen interest in our martial arts programme for young people. It wasn’t just the children who were intrigued—several parents and adults also showed interest in learning more about what we offer.
We had two women and three young people actively participating in our activities, while other children opted for the nature-based events happening nearby. The involvement was encouraging, and we managed to capture some great footage of our participants in action. Two of the young girls who took part were particularly enthusiastic, showing off their skills and determination. One of the mothers, who is already part of our women-only group, was eager to get her son involved, highlighting the strong community ties and support for our programme.
Day 2: Martial Arts in Lefevre Park
The second day of the Wild E3 project took place at Lefevre Park, where we connected with three young boys from the local area. Aged between 7 and 9 years old, the boys were excited to give Muay Thai a go. Each had varying levels of experience—one had previously trained with us, another had done some boxing, and the third was new to martial arts but eager to learn. All three are keen footballers and have been scouted by several teams, making them naturally competitive and disciplined.
We started with our usual session format, including skipping, shadowboxing, pad work, and sparring. The boys quickly picked up the basics, with one showing particular confidence and skill, having trained with us before. Despite being the most experienced, he was also the most vocal during sparring, showcasing both his enthusiasm and determination to improve.
The boys’ aunt stopped by to learn more about our sessions and expressed interest in bringing them to our regular Wednesday classes. She emphasised the importance of keeping them engaged in constructive activities like Muay Thai, rather than allowing them to drift into negative influences. What stood out about these boys was their natural camaraderie and willingness to dive straight into the activities, embodying the rough-and-tumble play that’s often missing in today’s youth.
We also had the opportunity to meet one of our collaborators in person, which provided a great chance to discuss the project further and explore future opportunities.
Day 3: Sparring and Smiles at St Stephens Green Park
The third day of the Wild E3 project saw us setting up in St Stephens Green Park. We were joined by nine children, all eager to participate after seeing the boxing gloves laid out. The group included siblings, regular students, and some new faces, creating a diverse mix of participants.
We began with a brief introduction to our programme before jumping into a warm-up. While some of the older boys tried to dodge the exercises, they ultimately completed the warm-up with a bit of encouragement. Following this, we went over the basics of stance and divided the group for pad work, with one of our regular students stepping in to help hold pads.
The children were enthusiastic and attentive, quickly grasping the instructions. One child, although initially a bit uncoordinated, showed great energy and enthusiasm before having to leave early. Another child who joined later demonstrated impressive skills during sparring, maintaining control and distance with his jabs and push kicks.
As the session wound down, we ended with a more relaxed sparring session between our regular students, even involving their mother in the fun. The day wrapped up with smiles all around, leaving everyone looking forward to future sessions.
The Wild E3 project has proven to be a fantastic way to connect with the community, introduce young people to the benefits of Muay Thai, and encourage healthy, active lifestyles. We’re excited to see the continued growth and interest in our programmes as we move forward.
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