Milestone for Arklow Jiu Jitsu as Hayley Earns Academy’s First Female Black Belt
A major milestone has been reached at Arklow Jiu Jitsu Academy after Hayley, a local mother and dedicated athlete, became the first female to earn a black belt at the club.
Originally from Bray, Hayley moved to Arklow seven years ago and began training in Jiu Jitsu shortly before her 30th birthday. What started as a suggestion from friends soon turned into a passion that would shape the next nine years of her life.
“At the start I had no idea what I was doing,” she said. “I remember feeling like people were doing magic tricks on me with the moves they were performing.”
Despite the steep learning curve, Hayley quickly became fascinated with the sport and committed herself to consistent training which is something she says was key to reaching such a prestigious level.
“I have been very consistent with my training no matter what was going on in life. I absolutely adore Jiu Jitsu and have made a point of turning up no matter how busy I was.”
Her journey to black belt is particularly significant given the demanding nature of the achievement. In Jiu Jitsu, the black belt is widely regarded as one of the most difficult ranks to attain in martial arts.
“A Jiu Jitsu black belt is quite different from any other martial arts black belt in that it takes longer and is harder to achieve, usually taking around eight to fourteen years,” she explained. “I got mine after around eight or nine years.”
Unlike some martial arts, there is no formal exam or set number of classes required to reach the rank. Instead, it is awarded by a coach based on years of dedication, progression and commitment. Hayley received her black belt from her coach Darragh O’Connell, one of Ireland’s earliest black belts and a highly respected figure in the Jiu Jitsu community. Hayley Black Belt
Balancing training with a busy life has not always been easy. Hayley works as a nutritional therapist in the dietary supplements industry and is also a mother of two young children, with a third baby due next month. Over the years she has also dealt with injuries and the demands of a busy career, but says the sport provides a powerful mental outlet.
“I find it very meditative and cathartic because when you’re training you can’t think of anything else. You have to focus your mind on the task at hand. You have to keep turning up even when things get difficult. That’s where the growth comes.”
Jiu Jitsu remains a largely male-dominated sport, something Hayley hopes will change as more women discover its benefits.
“In Arklow we have lots of young kids and teenagers training in Jiu Jitsu and I’m always thinking — why are the mothers not giving this a go? It’s such a valuable skill to have in this modern world and I think it’s something that way more women should be trying.”
She also praised the welcoming environment at the academy.
“The academy in Arklow is purely Jiu Jitsu focused and not diluted by other things like MMA which really results in very high quality training and coaching. It’s such a warm welcoming place where everyone gets on. We have all become amazing friends and gotten really close. There is a real sense of community and a chance to meet new people.”
Dean from Arklow Jiu Jitsu Academy said the club is extremely proud of Hayley’s achievement.
“We are all so proud of her achievement,” he said. “It takes so much work, so much time and honestly takes up so much of your life to make it to black belt.”
“There are so few black belts in Jiu Jitsu due to the level it requires, so it’s something that we always celebrate. Skill-wise Hayley is phenomenal but she also carries herself as a black belt should.”
“She is a great role model for all students and especially for the young girls we have at the academy.”
Arklow Jiu Jitsu Academy has been operating in the town since 2014 and offers training programmes for all ages and abilities, including beginners with no prior experience, as well as dedicated classes for children and teenagers. For more information you can visit their Instagram page @arklowjiujitsuacademy or our website www.bjjarklow.com for more information.
