DERRY based Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and Mix Martial Arts (MMA) academy, Team Torres has made a major move from it’s popular Bay Road base.
The gym, which was located at the same premises as Strike Martial Arts for five years, can now be found in the Robinson Enterprise Park on the Pennyburn Industrial Estate.
The impressive new space possesses several high-calibre coaches, including BJJ Blackbelt Martin McLaughlin, who is a European, British (x2), Irish (x2) and Scottish Champion.
With the recent surge of interest in MMA and BJJ in Ireland over the last several years, the gym reaped the benefits, as the popularity of the sport swelled, McLaughlin revealed how he was faced with an inevitable decision in order to help the gym grow.
Speaking to Derry Daily, McLaughlin said it was ‘an end of an era’ following their departure from the Bay Road area: “We were there for five years under the same roof as Strike Martial Arts and the move just came about at the right time.
“I was nervous (about the move), but excited and sad about leaving because we had a good rapport at that gym and I got on well with Daniel (Pinta) Quigley, but it came to a point where I just had to help our own gym and how to do that was to move.
“The classes were becoming busier, we were stuck for space, and the move just became inevitable and we did look at a few options but it just didn’t work out.”
The new state-of-the-art academy, which is operating together with Kevin Harkin at Synergy, features a fully-heated 1700 sq ft matted area, two showers and two toilets, a fully equipped strength training facility, male and female changing areas and a reception.
The gym has a strict ‘No Ego’ mentality and McLaughlin urges those that hesitate about taking up martial arts to make the jump.
“Jiu-Jitsu is not restricted to gender, age, athletic ability, fitness levels, flexibility or strength levels. It is something that only truly can be measured by doing it,” McLaughlin said.
“Don’t let the barriers that you or other people have built up in your head (get in the way). You have to go and try it, and get a feel for what it’s really like, not what people believe it to be.”
Team Torres is highly viewed as one of the fastest growing MMA and BJJ teams in Ireland, with its young team coming on leaps and bounds in highly-competitive competitions throughout the UK and Ireland in recent years.
Training commences in the new Team Torres facility
And now McLaughlin believes that Torres has the right premises in order to help those who have bigger goals in the sport, with the BJJ Blackbelt himself having huge aspirations of his own.
“I think we have the facilities now which reflects our aspirations as a martial arts team.
“Whether people just want to train their fitness, self-defence or confidence levels then we can fulfil those needs. As regards to competitive Jiu-Jitsu, I am looking to create another world champion in Derry.
“As regards MMA, I want people to be able to go as far as they want. For some people that might be training, for other people that might be local shows, and for the minority it’s the UFC.
“I truly believe we have the facility and coaching that can facilitate those dreams.”
Team Torres also offers a fundamentals ‘taster’ course, which is designed for absolute beginners to learn some of the basic movements involved in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
The next installation of the fundamental course starts on Wednesday, January 9, and although McLaughlin understands it can be quite daunting for absolute BJJ beginners, he encourages those individuals to get involved in the friendly environment.
“We are not only a Jiu-Jitsu gym, we good and young mix martial arts team and they are quite successful.
“The fundamentals class that runs every Wednesday are like taster sessions and they run in eight-week blocks. As long as there is a necessity and want for the class, they will continue.
“But we also like to show progression throughout the gym and people who come to the fundamental class can then move on to our dedicated beginners’ program on a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.”
The Team promote a competitive attitude in what they do but also facilitates for those just wanting a healthy lifestyle.
“The message isn’t all about competition (with Team Torres), our message is about promoting a healthy lifestyle, helping people get in shape while having fun and improving their mental wellbeing.
“That is the true success story of the gym, it lies in the fact that we have good people, people who are living a healthy lifestyle on a daily basis.”
The academy has an extensive mixed martial arts timetable, with coaching available on wrestling, BJJ, BJJ for kids, boxing and striking for MMA.
Have a look at our timetable!
We have the most extensive time table with specialist coaches in all areas.
We have the most classes to offer in any #MMA facility in our city.
With our move there will be some changes to the timetable – keep your eyes peeled! #Derry pic.twitter.com/FfUdKWtGY7— Team Torres Derry (@TorresBJJDerry) November 7, 2018
For more information on Team Torres head over to their Facebook or Twitter page.
(Photos: Team Torres Facebook)
