Limerick Sports Partnership are hosting a self-defence course specifically tailored to women this October. The course, which is for women aged 18 years and older, is designed to help participants develop confidence, improve physical conditioning, and gain essential knowledge and skills in basic self-defence.
Speaking to Sports Development Officer with Limerick Sports Partnership, Laura O’Neill, she said, “Many women expressed an interest in learning self-defence but were unsure where to begin. They felt uncomfortable in traditional martial arts settings. By creating a programme specifically designed for women, we aim to provide a safe, supportive environment that not only teaches practical self-defence skills but also builds physical fitness.”
The programme combines kickboxing techniques with situational self-defence strategies. It includes a variety of self-defence combinations tailored to real-life scenarios, as well as the introduction of key pressure point techniques. Light cardio exercises are incorporated throughout to help build stamina.
Laura O’Neill and her colleagues started this programme because they “recognised a growing need for women to feel more confident, empowered, and capable of protecting themselves. A programme like this is important because women often face unique safety concerns in their daily lives, whether walking alone, commuting, or in social situations. This gives them the ability to respond effectively if ever faced with a threatening situation.”
Is there high demand from the Limerick community?
Laura affirmed “the idea for the programme came from both professional experience and growing community interest. With more and more women expressing a desire to learn practical self-defence skills in a supportive environment, the demand became clear. It was a proactive response to what the community was asking for, backed by the right skills and qualifications to deliver it safely and effectively.”
She stated they “want participants to leave not only with practical self-defence techniques, but also with a stronger sense of self-belief, awareness, and resilience. It’s about more than just physical defence — it is about building fitness skills and providing a social outlet for women in the community.”
The course puts a spotlight on the need for classes like this to “empower women by giving them the knowledge, skills, and confidence to protect themselves in real-life situations.”
The Women’s Self-Defence programme will take place in St John’s Pavillion every Wednesday throughout October, with the first having taken place on the eighth. For more information, visit https://limericksports.ie