From Nisa to Paris: Jude’s Olympic dream built on convenience foundations

Boxer Jude Gallagher has an Olympic dream to chase this summer after qualification to represent Team Ireland for the Games held in France.

A dream held since first lacing up a pair of boxing gloves aged 8, the Northern Irish sportsman typifies the characteristics needed to succeed on the grandest stage of them all through his strong work ethic, modest attitude and a desire to be the best – all traits learned and instilled on the shop floor of his father’s Nisa Local store over many years.

Jude’s father John Gallagher has been in the retail industry since 2011 having opened a 3,000 sq.ft Nisa Local store in Newtownstewart, Northern Ireland.

John, an influential role model for Jude whilst growing up, has gone on to make a substantial success of the retail store whilst balancing other ventures and raising a young family including the future Olympian.

Although boxing now comes first for Jude, John admits he is still a hit with the customers when he does return from his training camps.

“His brother and his cousins are involved in the butchery section of the store and Jude has been in and around the store since he was 13 or 14 years old,” said John.

“Jude has always had the work ethic you need to be successful. A lot of kids at that age don’t work part time and spend much of their time on their phones and on video games. If Jude wasn’t training then he’d be working and if he wasn’t working he’d be focusing on his education so he’s always lived a busy life and always worked hard.

“He’s held responsibility in the store for many years and he’s brought that into the boxing world with how he carries himself and having the motivation to go out and achieve great things.

“Jude trains full time with Ireland now and has done since he won the Commonwealth gold medal so we don’t see as much of him at the moment with all his other commitments but whenever he is back he will still help out around the store if he’s needed and certainly hasn’t forgotten his roots. His background has been the store and the various roles and responsibilities that comes with that and he’s always a hit with the customers when he is back home.

“Jude’s success has been a great feel-good factor for the whole community. Many of our regular customers do come in and ask about Jude and ask to meet him so the local support has been great and I know it is something Jude is very grateful for. It really has brought the whole community together regardless of backgrounds and that has been great to see also.”

Jude acknowledges years spent on the Nisa Local shop floor taught him many of the basics needed to succeed in any profession and admits his father’s work ethic across the store was the role model he required growing up.

“Working in the store has helped me in so many ways,” said Jude. “It has made me responsible, accountable and has taught me to be adaptable. There are many challenges you can face from day to day in the store and you need to be at your best to provide the best level of service for your customers. I’ve always had a strong work ethic and that is massively down to me upbringing and my time spent on the store floor.

“My Dad has been a huge driving force in my career since I started in boxing. He always made sure I stayed on the right path growing up and always made sure I was doing the correct things inside and outside the boxing ring.

Having come from a farming background, he has an admirable work ethic which he has instilled in me and my brothers and sister from an early age.”

Peter Batt, managing director of Nisa, added: “Stories like Jude’s are fantastic and goes to show the work ethic it takes to make a success of both his boxing career and his father’s Nisa store. Everyone at Nisa wishes Jude the very best of luck in France and fingers crossed it will be a very special Games for him.”

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