A Belfast-based judo coach working with children with special needs has been named Disability Coach of the Year at the 2018 Sport Northern Ireland SportMaker Awards.
Gemma Reynolds, a former Irish judo squad member and multiple All-Ireland champion, is the Head Coach at Inspire NI, Northern Ireland’s first special needs/autism specific judo and multi-sport club. The club opened in 2017, with Gemma currently coaching around 70 children with special needs every week.
Gemma set up Inspire NI while studying for a full-time nursing degree and continuing with her mainstream coaching role. The club is fully inclusive to all abilities, and since opening has expanded to include provision of a Down’s syndrome-specific judo class. Gemma’s coaching focuses on allowing young people to develop skills in a fun, safe environment.
Sport NI’s SportMaker Awards recognise the contribution of the local sporting working – the coaches, officials, volunteers and projects making a difference. The Disability Coach of the Year award is awarded to coaches who have made an impact in widening access to sport and developing athletic performance among athletes or teams with a disability.
Gemma received her award during a weekly Inspire NI training session on Saturday (10th November).
Reacting to her win, Gemma Reynolds said:
“I am very honoured to be Disability Coach of the Year. I love judo and I love teaching the children the sport that I love. A lot of them have never been to a sports clubs, or they’ve only been to a mainstream sports club where it’s been too much for them and the coaches maybe haven’t been specialised enough to understand them. Our aim at Inspire NI is to give children with special needs somewhere safe and fun where they are accepted for them, while also helping with their health and fitness and improving their skills.
“The kids are just amazing, they’re so inspirational, and I have a very supportive coaching team who are all very good at what they do. I love coaching – I love seeing the children doing wee skills that other people wouldn’t notice but, to us, they’re massive. I love seeing them make friends. I just love every part of it. A lot of the children would be newly diagnosed, so we’re offering support to them, support to their families – we’re actually like a family now.”
Congratulating Gemma, Sport NI Chief Executive Antoinette McKeown said:
“Sport NI believes passionately that sport is for everyone, regardless of ability or experience. Making sport more accessible is key to developing a society that enjoys, enagges and excels in sport and physical activity, and our local coaches and sports clubs play a crucial role in making this happen. Gemma’s oustanding work has seen her harness her own passion and love of sport to improve the lives of young people in the community. Through Gemma’s skillful coaching and dedication, her pupils are able to enjoy the personal growth, improved self-confidence, friendhsips and sheer fun that sport offers. The SportMaker awards are all about shining a light on the outstanding sporting workforce that exists in Northern Ireland, and Gemma is a prime example of that. On Behalf of Sport NI I would like to warmly congratulate Gemma on winning this award, and wish her and the team at Inspire NI all the very best for the future.”
Gemma’s sister, and fellow coach, Hannah Reynolds, who nominated Gemma for her award, added:
“Gemma is the most passionate, empathetic and knowledgeable coach. She is an amazing advocate for grassroots disability sport and commits a huge amount of time giving these children and families opportunities to be included. Through her coaching, Gemma is transferring her love and skill for judo to others. She is totally commited to providing the children she coaches opportunities to progress their skills in a positive and nutruting environment, allowing everyone to be themselves and not feel isolated, confused or apprehensive about attending.”