Lynne has participated in sport for more than 30 years. She first started kickboxing at the age of 7. She was supported by her mother who brought her along to a local kickboxing club, Billy O’Sullivans. Lynne claims that she was influenced into kickboxing by her four brothers and the well known film ‘The Karate Kid’. The feeling associated with getting out and being physically active and the positive and constructive feedback from club coaches kept Lynne returning to training to make her perform better.
Lynne hit all the heights in kickboxing and then decided to make a move to boxing. Supported by her husband Lynne made the decision to join St. Paul’s Boxing Club to hone her boxing skills. St. Paul’s Boxing Club had many well known boxing role models that Lynne felt would bring out the best in her boxing ability, such as Neil Gough, John Finn, Seamus Cowman and Jimmy Payne. Lynne had aspirations to “make it to the Olympics and represent Ireland” because she had reached the top of kickboxing and needed a new goal and something to aim towards. Lynne ended her competitive boxing career without the opportunity to represent Ireland at the Olympics only due to her weight class not being recognised. Albeit a setback it did not stop her involvement in sport, she is now a boxing coach in St. Pauls Boxing Club and has witnessed the impact of sporting role models like Katie Taylor and Kellie Harrington, whom have had Olympic and World Championship success respectively. According to Lynne, throughout Ireland more girls and young kids are now trying boxing as a sport as a result of seeing these girls on the world stage #cantseecantbe.
As a coach Lynne feels that the most important thing for coaching kids in a club is to have fun and encourage everyone. The reason why she volunteers her time to St. Pauls Boxing Club is because she benefitted from volunteers and its now her turn to give back, “if they didn’t give back there would be nothing”. Lynne still spends time training and practicing new skills which she likes to share with the boxers that she trains. In relation to being a female coach she feels that there is no difference and you just get on with it. Members respect her experience and are willing to learn from that. Her advice for coaching girls is clear – support, encourage and ask them how the training is going. However, what’s more important is that you let them enjoy it!
Lynnes’ Kickboxing and Boxing Achievements
2 World Kickboxing Championships
3 European Kickboxing Championships
11 World Kickboxing Medals
Finalist WAKO Pro World Kickboxing Title – 10×2 minute rounds narrowly missed out by 2 points
1 Intermediate Irish Boxing Championship
3 Elite Irish Boxing Championships
Captain of Irish Team for the European Boxing Championships 2011
Gold Medals for Multinational Boxing Competitions
Best Boxer Award ‘Golden Girl Boxing Champions’ Sweden
Article Modified: November 05, 2020 9:03 am