We will be running a series of women’s self defence courses across 2026 for Geneva’s international community.
Women’s self-defence course– February 16th CHF80
As part of a series of specialist women’s self-defence courses this year, SWIFT Academy head coach, and former international-level martial artist, Fergus Dullaghan will take you through the awareness and self-defence skills you need to feel safe.
In this first course, we will be focusing on the topic of mugging. In our safe and friendly environment, you will learn:
What to watch out for: How muggers plan and set up their attacks
How to avoid being singled out as a target
Fighting back: Simple techniques that can keep you safe
Fighting back vs handing over – a discussion.
Who is it for? Women 14+ (Though parents, please note the course content does cover adult topics). You do not need to be particularly fit – but we will be physically active during the course. The course will be taught in English. Where and when is it? The course runs from 18:30-20:30 on February 16th 2026 at Ecole de la Découverte, Avenue Sécheron, 11 1202 Geneva
What do I need? Just yourself, clothes you are comfortable training in, a water bottle
We were delighted to be asked to feature in one of Switzlerland’s leading blogs for the international community – Knowitall.ch.
One of the other parents at the Geneva school drop-off looked sideways at me, “So you’ve decided to start teaching martial arts to this bunch?” he asked. “On top of your job?”. He patted my shoulder in mock sympathy. I grinned. “I’m just continuing the family tradition,” I said.
And that’s true. I started judo when I was just four years old. Of the three coaches in my club, two were my parents, they had met on the judo mat at university – with my mum having represented Ireland internationally in the sport. By the age of 4 I was training with them, and I just loved it. The physicality, the techniques, the introduction to Japanese culture and language, but most of all the fun.
Fun is something that is often overlooked by coaches in many walks of life. I was lucky that when I was taught, it was understood that kids’ activities should be fun first. If kids are having fun and enjoy coming, then skill development and performance will naturally follow over time. Too many people teach as if the opposite were true. And it really isn’t.
The fun-first approach worked for me; and by my mid 20’s I had gone on to become a full-time elite athlete in judo, representing Wales and Great Britain internationally for six years. Getting to train every day alongside world- and Olympic-level athletes at a Team GB performance institute (at Bath University) was an incredible and defining experience. I eventually became Irish National Champion (following my mum’s footsteps) and later won a Commonwealth silver medal.
When I became a dad myself and settled in Geneva, I felt the time was right to pass on what I have learnt – just as my parents did to me. I believe Judo is like swimming – it more than just sport. Learning to protect yourself is a critical life skill. Learning to fall safely, learning respect, mindfulness, and self-confidence – these are all important things.
So, two years ago I opened SWIFT – the Swiss International Fight Team to serve Geneva;s international community. I teach primarily in English to provide an English language activity for children outside school (mais j’utilise le français quand ça aide les enfants).
Classes are on Friday afternoons for primary school-aged children. Places are very limited because I want to be able to offer high-level coaching – that means small class sizes, where everyone gets the attention they deserve.
About Head Coach Fergus Dullaghan
Fergus is a life-long martial arts enthusiast, beginning his training in judo at the age of just four. He was awarded full university colours from the University of Wales, Bangor for sport (judo and aikido). Particularly after securing a silver medal at the British University Judo Championships (BUSA).
SWISS INTERNATIONAL FIGHT TEAM (SWIFT) at: Elite MMA Academy Rue Rothschild 22 1201 Genève
We are happy to announce new judo and karate classes for children in Geneva starting with the rentrée in September 2023.
Classes will be held in English, with an English native speaker – Fergus Dullaghan. Fergus, who is also a parent of two young girls, was a full-time, elite-level athlete in the sport of judo for many years and represented both Wales and Ireland at an international level. He also holds a karate black belt.
Limited spaces available! In order to ensure the highest standard of tuition, we are limiting numbers to ten children per class.
What is judo? Judo is an Olympic sport and traditional martial art from Japan. It was designed specifically as a way to teach children physical education and moral values, by Jigoro Kano, who was himself a primary school teacher. It is a sound basis for self-defence.
What is Karate? We practice Wado Ryu Karate, which comes from Japan. Wado ryu is softer and more fluid than Shotokan, which is the most practiced style around Geneva. This is because it has its basis in Japanese Ju Jitsu as well as karate.
Karate was an Olympic demonstration sport in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. It encourages respect, discipline and self-control and is a solid foundation for self-defence as the children get older.
The self Defence Expert is the UK’s leading self-defence blog. Run by former policeman, boxer and judoka, Andrew Holland, it offers no nonsense insight into staying safe on the streets.
I was recently asked by Andrew to write a review on the MovNat Combatives instructor training course. MovNat is still an emerging practice – interest in it is rapidly growing, particularly among martial artists and the military, among other special interest groups.
So this was a good opportunity to explain what we do on the self-defence front. I regularly include MovNat Combatives principles into my self defence teaching, so if you would like a little bit more information about what that means, feel free to have a read.
Head Coach Fergus Dullaghan introduces the SWIFT Academy Geneva
What is the SWIFT Academy? The Swiss International Fight Team (SWIFT) is a movement and martial arts academy based in Geneva. What makes us different is our philosophy, teaching quality and the fact that our courses are in English.
What will you be teaching? We will be starting with movement and fitness classes for adults in January 2020 and we are hoping to begin introducing martial arts (starting with judo) in September for juniors and seniors. In terms of movement we will specifically be teaching Natural Movement (MovNat) and Ginastica Natural.
What are Ginastica Natural and MovNat? Both Ginastica Natural and MovNat are incredible ‘fitness’ systems that promote strength, endurance, flexibility and mobility. They are also closely aligned to our values and historically connected to the martial arts.
Firstly, Ginastica Natural is a mixture of hatha yoga, jiu jitsu and capoeira. But it has evolved into something very unique. There is a focus on breathing, mobility and movement flow. In this sense it has many of the benefits of yoga, but it also helps develop the strength and cardio needed in martial arts. It was founded in Brazil by jiu jitsu black belt and physical education specialist Alvaro Romano. It has since picked up a large following there, particularly among the jiu jitsu and MMA communities after being popularised by jiu jitsu legend Rickson Gracie. Globally, it is recognised as a core part of the ‘jiu jitsu lifestyle’
Ginastica Natural was also famously used to help rehabilitate Brazilian football legend Ronaldo following an injury prior to the 2002 football world cup. Because Alvero was a well known surfer, it is also widely practiced by competitive surfers and snow sports enthusiasts around the world. These days its fastest growth is probably among physios in the US who are using it for its injury prevention and rehab properties.
Alvero Romano – Ginastica Natural founder
MovNat is very different. Tracing its roots back to the French military and ‘La Methode Naturelle of Georges Hébert’, MovNat is heavily focused on developing practical, real-world fitness. For older people this may mean getting up and down off the floor to play with their grand children. For obstacle course racers it may mean being able to get over a high wall, for firemen it might mean being able to carry people.
The teaching methodology is highly systematic and scalable, so anyone can participate, regardless of fitness levels. The system is built on evolutionary movements, crawling, walking, running, jumping, lifting and carrying, throwing and catching and swimming. Striking and grappling are also part of the system (which is the link back to martial arts).
Thanks to the involvement of Katy Bowman, it is being rapidly taken up by movement enthusiasts from a pilates and yoga background. UFC champion Carlos Conduit’s involvement has encouraged martial artists like me to look at it seriously and other early adopters are military, rescue services, parkour runners, barefoot runners and rock climbers among others.
Because it aims at creating well-balanced, holistic fitness and movement abilities, MovNat can be adopted by almost anyone, whether to enhance their movement skills or to round-off their sports specific training.
SWIFT Academy head coach Fergus Dullaghan practicing MovNat in an urban setting
One of the great things about both these systems is that they can both be practiced in a natural environment, which gets you outdoors and into nature. But that said you can practice it indoors or in an urban setting (with MovNat) just as effectively from a physical standpoint.
How do people sign up? Just contact us with the contact form and I’ll be happy to help you!
