A 24-year-old Killylea man is preparing to launch a new all-inclusive sports club for kids after tiring of seeing his younger brother left out.
As one of the eldest in his family, Sam Murray has always been protective of his younger siblings – three of which are all living with a rare genetic disorder.
But it was watching his eight-year-old brother Henry being left out of rugby on a weekly basis that really opened his eyes to a lack of sports provision in Armagh for children with disabilities.
Speaking to Armagh I, Sam – who is also a part-time carer for his siblings alongside his employment at Daly’s Service Station in Eglish – explained: “It’s all I’ve ever known and I understand all of the challenges they encounter on a daily basis.
“But the one thing that I would say has affected me the most is taking my brothers to rugby on a Saturday morning and my youngest brother Henry left behind.
“Due to our wee Henry’s condition he couldn’t keep up with all the rest and he doesn’t understand the rules, but he has got skill and co ordination in bucketloads.
“There didn’t seem to be any class or club he could fit into and nowhere in our locality that provided a sports programme for kids with disabilities.”
So Sam took matters into his own, already very busy hands and set to work planning a new Armagh-based sports club for primary children living with additional needs.
With a background in Sports Science and years of rugby experience to boot, his programme soon took shape and was given the official title of ‘Brave Buddies’.
Explaining the name choice, he said: “I thought of the name because these kids are brave on a whole new level… to get up and show up despite sometimes immense challenges is just heroic.
“And ‘Buddies’ because that’s exactly what I hope they will be – that they will make new friends in their new club. I want it to be somewhere that is theirs, with their own identity and friendships. Each child will get their own t-shirt with the Brave Buddies emblem, these have been generously sponsored by my boss at Daly’s, who has been extremely supportive in this venture.”
Rugby, was always a massive part of Sam’s life and he knows first hand the benefits of being involved in team sports. For him, starting Brave Buddies is his way of giving back.
He said: “I came through the minis and youth rugby here in Armagh and had the most amazing coaches.
“I feel very passionately that no child should be left out of sport – rugby, football – boy or girl – disability or none. I feel strongly that the wee ones deserve to be part of a sports club like everyone else on a Saturday morning and be cheered on by people who believe in them and who will celebrate every little bit of progress.”
His aim for the club is to ensure every child feels some sense of accomplishment at the end of each and every session. To do this, he will be adapting skills and technique with appropriate equipment to suit every child’s own individual needs.
He adds: “This is so important for any child’s confidence and self worth, more so for a child with a disability who may already feel it’s all too difficult.
“It’s about adapting everything to their individual needs, which can be done as I get to know the kids each week.
“It will be a positive attitude only in Brave Buddies! We will be focusing on what the kids CAN do, not what they can’t…. our aim is to see every child having fun with a smile on their face looking forward to the next class.”
Sam will be supported by a team of fully Access NI checked helpers who will meet to host the classes on a weekly basis on Saturdays at Orchard Leisure Centre in Armagh.
Since launching the initiative and beginning his advertising – by sending flyers home with his brother’s and sister’s school friends – Sam has been inundated with interest and his single class has already grown to two!
As such, work is now being finalised on a suitable start date for the scheme with hopes to hold their first ever meet up either in the first or second week of May.
For the support of his community, Sam said: “I would just like to thank everyone who has got in touch, shared a post or tagged a friend and helped get the word out there. It has been phenomenal.”
While he and his team work to collate a waiting list for classes he asks that anyone wishing to secure their child a space contact him on 07702715126 for more information.
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