MORE than 100 young people have been using Mixed Martial Arts to fight for a better future.
The group took part in the sport in a two year personal development programme aimed at tackling sectarianism, racism, violence and crime.
Fight to Unite, run by the Northern Ireland Youth Forum (NIYF) and Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) helped vulnerable and hard to reach young people aged 11-25 deal with anti-social behaviour, and improve their educational attainment and employability.
Funded by Comic Relief, it combined aspects of MMA with a youth work programme providing individual and group development, building self-confidence, creating employment opportunities and supporting participants' mental health and emotional wellbeing.
NIYF Relentless Youth Worker Sean Conlon worked alongside Jack Corr, a fully qualified MMA coach with young people from deprived areas of north and west Belfast and Newtownabbey.
Speaking at a special celebration event, Mr Conlon said the programme had worked wonders for the young people's confidence and self-worth.
"Twenty eight of the young people have completed OCN Level 2 qualifications in Leadership and Youth Work. They have worked so hard to make this programme a success," he said.
