MMA coach John Kavanagh has been praised for continuing to pay his staff and to freeze all memberships at his SBG gym.
The Dublin elite sports coach, who is also a best-selling author, was praised online for accepting government guidelines to close all gyms for six weeks but still pay his team.
The father-of-one, who coaches UFC star Conor McGregor, took to Twitter to reveal he would still be paying his staff in full, despite the closure.
“Following our government’s decision @SBG_Ireland will close tomorrow until Dec 1st. All fees suspended until end of year,” he wrote.
Following our government’s decision @SBG_Ireland will close tomorrow until Dec 1st. All fees suspended until end of year. Hopefully free training for Dec will be a small help towards Xmas expenses during these tough times. Our staff will continue to receive full pay #OneTribe 🙏🏽
— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) October 20, 2020
“Hopefully free training for Dec will be a small help towards Xmas expenses during these tough times. Our staff will continue to receive full pay #OneTribe 🙏🏽,” he added.
In a reply to a follower John confirmed he still needs to “pay rent” for the gym despite the closure, but insisted: “Its a tough time for businesses worldwide. But I KNOW 2021 is going to be a fantastic year.”
People were quick to thank John for his kindness.
“Good man…people will remember this…forever,” UFC Seniro VP Jeff Novitzky wrote. “Coach K always being a leader!! Be safe and sending well wishes to all of you!! Fisted handFisted handFisted hand,” a follower added.
“Amazing gesture , exactly how to treat your staff and members if you can. Well done,” another added.
Not the first time I’ve seen the boss @John_Kavanagh do something selfless and thoughtful for others. The man. https://t.co/fBjiJDf7jB
— Brian Moore (@brianmooremma) October 20, 2020
“Not the first time I’ve seen the boss @John_Kavanagh do something selfless and thoughtful for others. The man,” fighter Brian Moore added.
It comes after John had questioned the government’s decision to close gyms, but allow businesses such as Off Licences to remain open.
“Alcohol is responsible for 88 deaths every month in Ireland. That’s over 1,000 deaths per year. One in four deaths of young men aged 15-39 in Ireland is due to alcohol. Alcohol is a factor in half of all suicides in Ireland.”
– how many deaths from squats? #openthegyms https://t.co/msFZJFhWBV— Coach Kavanagh (@John_Kavanagh) October 19, 2020
