A Master of his art!
Club celebrates 40th in some style
MEMBERS AND friends of the Wexford Kung Fu and Kickboxing Centre turned out in force to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the club recently.
Guest of honour for the weekend’s activities was Grandmaster Jeremy Yau, one of the world’s most respected kung fu instructors. The club hosted a two-day seminar with Master Yau which included work on internal or qi gung development, practical application of the syllabus, and sticking hands sparring routines.
Each day was finished by a 30-minute questions and answer session. Master Yau also taught a very special children’s class on Saturday which was eagerly attended by young members of the club from six to twelve years.
The Saturday session finished with black sash gradings in which members from around Ireland were tested by Master Yau from first degree up as far as fourth. After a long day the participants retired to Chan’s restaurant to relax and enjoy a Chinese meal.
The Wexford Harbour Boat Club was the packed venue for a very special barbeque and entertainment on Sunday. The afternoon commenced with host and chief instructor Bobby O’Neill making a special presentation of Irish crystal to Master Yau and his wife, Sue.
Bobby thanked his instructor and mentor Master Yau for all his assistance over the last 40 years, and he also gave special praise to his assistant coaches in the club, Patrick Monahan and Mark Rowe.
Bobby said that ‘the achievements of the club and its members have been many and varied and are remembered and celebrated with fondness, but most importantly our recent success, particularity among our younger members, will ensure our club and association continues to prosper and contribute for generations to come’.
Bobby spoke of the recent success where no fewer than eight of its members, Junior and Senior, qualified to represent Ireland at the world W.K.C. kickboxing championships in the U.S. next November.
Deputy Mayor Cllr Jim Moore congratulated the instructors and members present for their dedication and commitment which has led to so much success over four decades. Cllr. Moore particularly praised the young members of the club who show so much dedication and enthusiasm.
Grandmaster Yau thanked his Irish friends and students for their hospitality, saying he has developed a deep love of Ireland and its people. He praised the Irish chief instructor, Bobby O’Neill, for all his hard work over the last 40 years, and he said that, judging by the standard of the members who participated in the training over the weekend, the future of the club and association will be more successful than ever in the years to come.
Following the speeches and presentations, the young members of the club put on a very special demonstration they had worked on for several weeks. This was followed by the rousing sounds of the Ballindaggin Pipe Band who lifted the roof with a 15-minute set of their most popular requests.
After a break for food, Barry O’Neill put on a side-splitting magic show for the younger (and not so young) attendees, and this was followed by a wonderful set by operatic singer James Bierney who sang some numbers from his new album, ‘I Believe’.
The final official duty was the cutting of the cake by Master Yau. Members and family availed of the opportunity to stand in with the master for pictures with the anniversary cake.
The club would like to thank everyone who helped out with the organisation of the weekend, in particular Helena O’Neill, Patrick Monahan, Mark Rowe, Barry O’Neill, Catherine Hynes, Tom Clancy, and the committee and staff of the Wexford Harbour Boat Club.