HSSCU Sponsorships
At HSSCU, we are passionate about helping our members and our community. While we provide the best service to members, we’re aware that there is a lot more happening in our community. With that in mind, HSSCU is proud to support our members by sponsoring our community. We sponsor charities requested by members, charities who contact us directly and charities we identify that are doing great work. This year, some of our key sponsorship partners have written testimonials on their experience with HSSCU’s sponsorships. Here, they tell us about the amazing work they do and how HSSCU has helped along the way. We are delighted to support our very talented member who is about to take the world by storm – Liam Hand!
Liam Hand
Hi Liam! Tell Us About Yourself and What You Do.
My name is Liam Hand. I am an 18 year old K1 & Muay Thai fighter from Crumlin. I have fought and won on some of the biggest shows in Europe. This is my 4th year training and I am now focused on MMA with my debut fight on Cage Legacy on the 30th October, which will be live worldwide on PPV. My coach Gabor Hortobagyi has trained and travelled with me from day 1 and I am so lucky to also have the fantastic coach Paddy Holohan train me in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. We train in SBG 24, 3 sessions per day, 6 days per week. My aim is to be UFC champion within 3 years.
How Did You Get Started?
I have always loved sport and I have played football, basketball and GAA (Dublin Development Squad) since I could walk. When young,I was always the smallest on my team, but also had that fight to win. I walked into Kamakazi gym 1 evening and told this 6”6” giant (Coach Gabor) that I wanted to learn Muay Thai. His reaction to this day is “this small, skinny, scrawny lad walked into the gym, but I knew after just 1 training session he had what it took to be an amazing fighter. He had the hunger to learn and listened to everything I taught him.”
I had my 1st fight within 2 months. In the fight, I got a broken rib and a broken ego, but I came back stronger and more determined than ever. I knew then, this is what I want to do, this is my life and my career. I was 13 years old.
What Have Your Major Achievements Been So Far?
In just 3 years I became the All Ireland ISKA Champion, 4 times Mayhem Champion, ISKA World champion and have won Gold for Ireland and the World Opens, with many more titles clocked up on the European circuit. I have lived and trained in Holland with some of the world’s best Dutch-style fighters. I wasn’t the most confident kid growing up, but if I can inspire just one child to gain confidence, self-belief and follow their dream then that would be my biggest achievement.
What Does UFC/Martial Arts Mean to You?
I have always been competitive in sport. Competition and individualism are what drive me, and these are very well-represented in MMA, K1 & Muay Thai. This sport just feels natural to me. MMA is now my career, my lifeline and my passion. Only fighters know what we put ourselves through and the sacrifices we make, but we wouldn’t change a thing.
What Did HSSCU’s Sponsorship Help You With?
The generous sponsorship from the HSSCU has made it possible for myself & my coach to travel to championships and training camps across Europe. It has enabled us to buy shorts & tracksuits for myself & my team (corner men). During these unprecedented times where travel, sport, gyms, etc. have been in lockdown the sponsorship has been used to purchase a boxing bag, frame & grappling mats (totalling €1,000) which have been used by me 3 times a day, 6 days per week in my back garden. This has kept my dream alive.
The main challenge for any amateur sportsperson is the financial expense, so from the bottom of my heart I want to thank the HSSCU for their sponsorship, support and their faith in me. I will continue to do you proud.
Would You Like to Apply?
To apply for a HSSCU sponsorship, simply visit our sponsorship webpage and download our application form. We are very excited to continue our commitment of supporting our community.
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