Female Self-Defense Club is one of the many new clubs at Poly this year. The club was started by juniors Julia’Belle Reyfman and Hannah Gross, alongside Coach Michael Junsch. 

“I’ve always wanted to do this,” Junsch said of what sparked the club’s creation. “I’ve worked with police officers, federal agents, taught self-defense classes to women in college and I just thought this would be something fun to do.” In 42 years of experience as a martial artist, Junsch emphasizes that people shouldn’t think of self-defense as a last resort, but as an art to protect yourself in any circumstance.  

“Julia and I felt like we were uncomfortable in a lot of situations with men, especially in NYC on the subway and places like that,” Gross said. “It’s really hard to be a woman and feel comfortable, so we just wanted a space where we could safely talk about that and figure out strategies to be okay in uncomfortable situations.” 

In the future, Gross said, “we’d like to do some sort of assembly to inform women how to be safe and how to inform people how not to be a bystander and when you should speak up. We’re also going to work with charities such as Riley’s Way Foundation.”

To the women of Poly Prep, Junsch said, “I would think that, especially those who are going off to college, you’re going to be in a strange environment, you’re going to be at parties, maybe areas that are unfamiliar. I would like people to know that they have to use common sense. Do I go to some place with somebody that I don’t know?”

“Self-defense is really common sense,” Junsch continued. “Do I walk in Prospect Park and take the shortcut at 7:00 p.m. and go into the bushes? Common sense. So, I would suggest to any female that when they get to college to take a self-defense course or a martial art because it could really save their lives.” 

Junior Zoe Wells recently joined the club and said, “[I] joined the self-defense club because I used to take Taekwondo and I really like the feeling of confidence that I got from being able to defend myself…[The club is] important because a lot of people are unsafe walking alone, and it’s important to be prepared.”