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Irish Daily Mirror
18 minutes ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
'The worst thing you can do is be afraid to fail and let your dream die'
Colin Judge hopes his journey to becoming a two-time Paralympian and Paris 2024 flagbearer can inspire others who are struggling with their disability. The Dubliner has recalled to Fitter Happier how he had to face down his own fear of failure to become one of the best table tennis players in the world. 'It began when I was 10 or 11 years of age,' he said. 'I was struggling with my disability a lot, I'd just gone into secondary school. 'I went to an able-bodied rugby school, St Michael's College, and it was the first time I really realised I was different. 'My friends all started playing rugby at this stage and it obviously wasn't an option for me.' So, along with his brother, he went searching for a sport that he could play. 'I remember being in UCD at a sports camp, trying out a number of different sports with my younger, able-bodied brother,' said the 30-year-old. 'Wheelchair rugby was the first, which was a lot of fun, but I wasn't very good at it. My brother beat me at everything, more or less, for the majority of the week. 'Having one arm and no legs, I struggled with a lot of sports. 'But table tennis was the last one that we tried and I took to it pretty quickly. It was the only sport that I could beat my brother at, so it was from there that I decided to give it a go.' It wasn't easy, though, as Judge was anxious about reaching out for advice. Judge was speaking at the launch of a partnership between SPAR and EUROSPAR, and The Olympic Federation of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland. He said: 'I reached out to the coach in UCD, which was quite a big deal for me at the time, because I was a pretty nervous guy, and I didn't want to be a nuisance. 'I felt I wasn't going to be good enough. But I did it in the end and the rest is history, I suppose. I'm very happy that I sent that email. 'I wasn't very good at it at the beginning, but I suppose it was more of an outlet in my earlier days, somewhere to go in the evening, improve my social skills and do a bit of exercise. 'Then it obviously became much more than that over the years.' Judge's rise in the world of table tennis has been impressive. After the heartache of missing out on a spot at Rio in 2016 by one place, he qualified for Tokyo and then Paris, where he led out Team Ireland at the opening ceremony. Currently in the top-eight in the world, he has been performing consistently this year and has three more ranking tournaments to come, including the European Championships in Sweden in November. A third Paralympics in LA is on the agenda, with Judge saying: 'There's gas left in the tank. 100 percent. We are very committed to that at the moment.' Judge's sporting successes have been mirrored in other areas of his life. He has paused a career in actuary to focus on full-time training. His story is as powerful as anyone's when it comes to the positive role that sport can play. 'As I got involved in table tennis, my social skills improved a lot,' he said. 'But more than that, once I started to take the sport seriously, I started to set goals for myself, I started to commit to training four or five times a week. 'I didn't reach all the goals that I set out for myself, but I think the goals that I did reach helped boost that relationship that I had with me, and made me feel better about myself. It gave me confidence. 'Then, over the years as I got better, I realised that for all the things I couldn't do, there was a lot that I could do. 'The success that I achieved in table tennis translated directly into other areas of life.' 'I don't know where I would be without (sport).' That takes us to his message for anyone who might be, as was the case for Judge when he went to secondary school, struggling with their disability. He said: 'I think the absolute best advice I could give is similar to what I said about sending that email. 'Sometimes when you are a young kid with a disability it is extremely difficult to put yourself out there and take the initiative. But the people out there are a lot nicer than you think sometimes. 'I was so afraid that I'd be a nuisance and I wouldn't be good enough. I probably wasn't good enough, but so many people helped me along the way. 'I think the worst thing you can do is be afraid to fail and let your dream die. 'Sometimes you have got to put yourself in those uncomfortable situations and really just try everything, and not be afraid to fail, and not be afraid to take the initiative and put yourself in an uncomfortable situation, because that's where a lot of growth happens.' # SPAR and EUROSPAR have been announced as Official Retail Partners to The Olympic Federation of Ireland and Paralympics Ireland. As part of the agreement, they will offer opportunities for communities to show their support for their local athletes. Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
The Citizen
3 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
Missing for 2 months: Stellenbosch student's pet python found in car sold to dealership
When BCom student Roelof Naudé (21) lost his pet snake at his private residence in Stellenbosch two months ago, he was really sad. 'I've shed a tear and looked for him forever,' said the Georgian, who is currently visiting his parents during the school holidays. 'Draco is a ball python, and I've had him since he was a baby.' Helping out at his dad's business, Naudé received a call on July 18 from the car dealership in George to which he sold his vehicle a week ago, George Herald reports. 'They asked me if I'd lost a snake. I was so happy to hear they found him. I couldn't believe it,' says Naudé, who immediately asked for a break during his shift at SPAR Wellington Square and went to fetch his pet. Apparently, a customer had browsed among the cars at the dealership and spotted the snake on a seat. 'It was so unreal,' says Naudé, 'but it all makes sense. I lost him in the beginning of winter. Snakes like to be warm; I think he stayed hidden in the car because of the heat.' Naudé has had Draco for three years, and received him as a gift from his tattoo artist in Stellenbosch. Draco is currently about 75cm and weighs 1.5kg. A ball python can tip the scale at 5kg and live up to 30 years. 'Draco is completely harmless and used to being handled. He was absolutely starving and very thirsty. I raced home and gave him a bowl of water, and defrosted a rat. Snakes can go months without eating. The rat will last him weeks.' Naudé says Draco is very comfortable and likes to be around people. 'In the beginning, my girlfriend had to get used to his presence, but now she's happy to hold him.' Naudé is full of praise for the car dealership and one of its employees, whom he says handled the situation like a professional. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Hattingh in top 10 at ABSA Run Your City Durban 10k
Though she's still adjusting to competing with the elite runners in South Africa's premier 10km races – the SPAR Women's 10km and Absa Run Your Series 10k series – Kai Hattingh is happy with her progress. The 14-year old Parkrand distance runner clocked a top 10 finish in the junior women's race at the Absa Run Your City Durban 10k on July 13. Averaging 04:08min/km, the Athletics Gauteng North youngster clocked 41:13 for sixth place in her category and 41st overall in the women's event. 'It was a tough day on the road. It was a little bit different from the SPAR Women's race. I'm still getting used to the fast pace but overall, I'm super happy with my performance,' she said. This performance follows her 40:47 for 15th place in her category at the SPAR Women's 10km Challenge Durban on June 22. 'Both races were my first real test in the 10km. Athletics is in a healthy environment in our country. There's so much competition. It motivates me to run next to all these amazing and hardworking elite runners.' The Nedbank RC athlete attributed her performance to lining up next to her provincial teammate Wiepke Schoeman, Athletics Central North West's (ACNW) and Potch Track Club's (PTC) Alri Verster and women's 10km record holder Glenrose Xaba. 'To run with Glenrose, Wiepke and Alri inspires me to aim for the stars. It makes me strive to give my best in every race. It's my first year in the distance and I'm seeing a lot of improvement,' said Hattingh. The Leeuwenhof Academy learner's rapid improvement started in January when she dipped under 20 minutes in the 5km for the first time in her career when she clocked 19:58 at the Springs Striders Race. Since then, she moved up a distance, making her 10km debut at the Randburg Harriers Valentine's Day 10km in February. She clocked 42:35 before finishing the Qhubeka AC Human Rights Day 10km women's event in a personal best 40:18. 'I am thankful for the opportunity to run. I want to be the best and only hard work can help me get there. Thanks to my parents, Nedbank and SPAR Southern for their continued support. Next up for the athlete is the SPAR Women's Challenge Tshwane 10km on August 2 and ABSA Your City Tshwane on August 24. Also Read: Kai takes strides to help those in need Also Read: Hattingh hopes for another successful road running year At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Irish Sun
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘Ciara Mageean is the queen of our team' – Sarah Lavin's heartfelt tribute to Irish ace amid cancer fight
SARAH LAVIN says Ciara Mageean 'doesn't leave her mind' after learning that her fellow athlete has cancer. Mageean, 33, Advertisement 2 Ciara Mageean became a European champion in June 2024 2 Lavin was speaking at an event to announce SPAR and EUROSPAR as Official Retail Partners to the Olympic Federation of Ireland Credit: Sportsfile The European 1500 metre champion — who Hurdler Lavin, two years her junior, admitted she had been stunned by the news and stressed how much the Portaferry woman had been a rock for her and others on Team Ireland. Lavin said: 'Ciara is the queen of our team. She has always been such a stellar person and is obviously one of our most prolific athletes. 'She's your safe person that you talk to before your race and makes you feel better. She's a very special person, an incredible athlete and she doesn't leave my mind at the moment. Advertisement Read More On Irish Sport 'What can you say? There's just shock and I'm sending everything possible, well wishes and healing, her way.' Earlier, the Limerick woman — who has competed at the last two Games — stressed how the camaraderie among Irish competitors across sport has reached a new high. Lavin said: 'There was a camaraderie level to Paris that really has held. That's also testament to Team Ireland and the actual body. 'They're so people-focused. We need to deliver results, perform and be operating at the highest possible level. Advertisement Most read in Athletics 'But we're human and it's really important that we see each other as humans and that we're there for each other.' Their exploits have also struck a chord with the public with Lavin targeting a place in the final of the 100m hurdles at the World Championships in Tokyo in September. Donald Trump reveals he's keeping Club World Cup trophy after gatecrashing Chelsea celebrations as Blues get replica And she believes track and field is now being viewed as a desirable career option in a way it had not when she was growing up. The Lisnagry woman explained: 'I don't know if that's to do with social media. It's a fantastic sport for girls to participate in and is an attractive lifestyle. Advertisement 'It's difficult but if you're going to try to be one of the best in the world at what you do, it's going to be hard. 'But the fact you can be financially independent for yourself is a really important message that young girls can get. Growing up for me, the only visibility we had was pop stars and models. 'That was what was deemed to be attractive. We would make dances and stuff. And for guys, they wanted to play for Manchester United or Liverpool and they were your two dreams. 'What's really special is going out and seeing people want to be athletes, they want to be a professional athlete and to think that every young girl could believe that they could be a professional athlete. Advertisement 'Everyone's human and it's not just someone you see on the TV, there's someone there on the track.' NATIONALS PLAN Lavin revealed she is likely to race in the 200m flat, rather than the 100m, as well as in the hurdles, at the National Championships at the start of August because of a scheduling issue. She said: 'Ideally, I will run the two days of nationals. But they have changed the 100m in the timetable. "There will only be ten minutes between the 100m hurdles and the 100m so I don't know if that's going to be possible. Advertisement "I might go for the 200m on the Sunday. If a few of the 400m girls go in it, it'll end up being a really good race.' SARAH LAVIN spoke at an event to announce SPAR and EUROSPAR as official retail partners to the Olympic Federation of Ireland. The partnership will see the leading retail group support Team Ireland as they build towards and compete at the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
Irish Daily Mirror
13-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Shoppers only just finding out how SPAR got its name
SPAR is one of Ireland's most popular stores and has been in this country for more than six decades. But most people have no idea how it got its name. Originally established in the Netherlands in 1932, the multinational franchise was opened by Adriaan van Well under the moniker DESPAR. This was stylised as DE SPAR which, it turns out, is an acronym created by the founder to act as a slogan for the business. While we know it as SPAR in Ireland, and it is known as the same in the UK and other areas, the original name is still used in some parts of the world, The Mirror reports. This disparity led one curious person to ask on Quora: "Why are SPAR supermarkets called DESPAR in Italy?" They went on to say: "A simple yet powerful philosophy inspired van Well – independent wholesalers and retailers can achieve more by working together than working alone. Over time, the SPAR Brand has extended its presence, serving the needs of local communities across four continents to become the world's local food store of choice." The business that we now know as SPAR decided to shorten its brand name in the 1940s before stores spread across Europe. According to a statement on SPAR's website: "It was initially launched as DESPAR, an acronym of a slogan created by van Well to describe the organisation: Door Eendrachtig Samenwerken Profiteren Allen Regelmatig, which translates into English as All Benefit from Joint Co-operation Regularly." So, why did they change the name? A Quora user noted: "When the company was founded in the Netherlands it was originally called Despar. "Later when they expanded across Europe some countries shortened the name to Spar but Italy retained the original name. To English speakers Despar looks too close to "despair" but to Italian speakers, it doesn't have this problem." SPAR first arrived in Ireland in 1963, when its first store was opened in Dublin. It has since launched stores in every county in Ireland and there are currently more than 400 shops nationwide, with approximately 14,000 people employed in this country.
