Category: News

Disappointment at MAAS fight day in Guilford

On Friday 4th March local members of the South West Kickboxing Academy (SWKA) Courtney and Nathan Pollard both travelled up to Guildford ahead of the fight day at the Guilford Spectrum. Head coach 4th Dan Steve Lilley travelled up in the morning leaving at 5am to join them at the Spectrum.

It was a long day and Courtney made her debut in the fighting ring, and grew praise from instructors from other clubs for getting in the ring have having ago against an more experienced opponent. Young Courtney who’s 7 looked nervous in her first round, but grew in confidence as she went into the 2nd and 3rd rounds having got used to what was going on and the nerves settling down. Both Steve and Dad Jamie who helped corner Courtney’s fight were very proud of her performance in the ring and the experience she got, even though she didn’t win her bout.

Later in the day it was Nathan’s time to get into the ring as he went toe-to-toe with Ryan Gunnell from the Team Gatwick club in London for the British kickboxing Union (BKBU) U16’s title. Nathan was given 3 weeks’ notice at the chance of this title fight. This was Nathan 2nd time in the ring and Ryan’s 3rd time in the ring. It was a tough bout with both fighters showing signs of tiredness in the final round. The fight was awarded a win to Ryan Gunnell, from Team Gatwick to the surprise of the referee Rob Lloyd who thought the win should have gone to Nathan, and their seemed to be a mixed decision between those who watched the fight to who the winner was, as different people watching had different opinions on who the winner was, some going for Nathan and others for Ryan meaning there was probably a tight split decision for the judges on the show. However, the judges gave the win against Nathan who will have the chance for a rematch later this year. Nathan graciously accepted defeat even though he felt like he had done more than enough to win the fight, and took the decision like a real champion which my head coach Steve very proud. So we will be reviewing the video footage to ensure that when the rematch takes place later this year Nathan will be able to ensure he gets the right decision.

For anyone wishing to get involved or follow in Nathan and Courtney’s footsteps, then please feel free to come and join us at Tavistock College on a Friday Night 7.35-9pm in the gymnasium. You can contact Steve on 07773863518, email sculpting_fitness@hotmail.com or visit www.swkickboxingacademy.com for more details.

January 2016 Student of the Month Jamie Pollard

The first Student of the Month award for 2016, was won in January by Jamie Pollard. Jamie started training with us, partly because his 3 children do and wanted to join in and help them with their training at home.

Jamie’s Eldest Son Nathan competes in the ring in both Kickboxing and Boxing. Jamie has fitted in well and worked hard in class, looking to learn but understand what we teach and how to use it most.

Jamie is also looking to be part of his son Nathan’s fight team.

Why you don’t need to get fit to start Martial Arts this January!

People often say to Martial Arts instructors, that I will start Martial Arts once I have got fit enough. Then we never see them, ever turn up to a class, partially because they don’t fully know what’s involved and how fit the need to be. But why do people feel they need to get fit first? When Martial Arts training can get you fit.

Martial Arts is widely accepted to have many benefits, one of them is to get fitter, as Martial Arts training involves lots of aerobic and anaerobic fitness and due to the repetitive nature of some of the drills it help tone the body up as well. As most Martial Arts sessions involve lots of short bursts of activity which help improve the fitness of the participant. It’s very easy to feel hotter and to sweat in a Martial Arts class for more than 20 minutes which is all that is needed to improve your fitness level.

As most Martial Art classes last 45-1.5 hours and sometimes longer it isn’t hard to see how it can rapidly change an individual’s fitness level. So next time you’re thinking about getting fit, why not join your local Martial Arts club and give it a try.

Why not attend one of the South West Kickboxing Academy and Martial Arts (SWKA). We have a class in Tavistock at the Community Sports Centre and we have more classes launching soon. For more details please visit swkickboxingacademy.com or contact Steve on 07773863518 or email sculpting_fitness@hotmail.com

 

End of 2015 SWKA Awards

The 18th December 2015, was the last South West Kickboxing Academy and Martial Arts (SWKA) class for 2015. It resulted in the end of a years hard work and commitment for students and coaches. 4th Dan Head Coach Steve Lilley ” All students have worked very hard and made great progress and on the last session of the year we like to draw attention to those who have made great progress”. “It’s also the time I can thank my coaching team who support me for all their hard work, so I’d like to thank 2nd Dan Chris Morgan and 1st Dan Matt Lake.”

The December last sessions results in Decembers Student of the Month being won, which was awarded to Peter Walters-Fox, for his efforts in December. We then came on to the Most Improved Student of the Year, which had 3-4 candidates in the running. It was Won by Nathan Pollard, who has had an amazing year in his training. He’s now helping out in classes, and started competing in the ring. Nathen was narrowly beaten to Student of the Year by his sister Courtney Pollard, who is our youngest student. Her infection enthusiasm to, her training and always willing to try and work hard in class is fantastic. She’s always ready for class hours before training and practices hard at home with her older brothers.

Steve would like to thank all those who have supported the club this year, and thank Tavistock Community Sports Centre’s team for the use of their faculties. We do have space for new starters in January, and those with or without Martial Arts Experience wanting to come along are most welcome from Friday 8th December 7.35-9pm in the Gymnasium . You can contact Steve for more details on 07773863518 or email sculpting_fitness@hotmail.com or visit www.swkickboxingacademy.com for more details.

Young Nathen Star’s in his first kickboxing bout in Guildford

Local buy Nathen Pollard from Tavistock who trains with the South West Kickboxing Academy and Martial Arts (SWKA) and Tavistock ABC went up to London to complete in the MAAS Championships.

Nathen who’s been training since the age of 11 in kickboxing , with a short break before returning in March this year, entered the ring for the first time to complete as a kickboxer aged 14. Getting in the ring is a big challenge for everyone, but Nathen’s commitment to his training has been fantastic since he returned in March, a bit taller and older.  The MAAS Championships attendance, was a big ask with Nathen’s family traveling up to Guilford for the event on Friday Night before completing on the Saturday. Nathen younger Brother Joshua who also trains with the SWKA, got to witness what it’s like on the day and now needs to decide if he wants to follow in Nathen’s footsteps and enter the ring in 2016.

Nathen fought well in his bout and drew great reviews from all the coaches who witnessed Nathen fight. Nathen was one of the stand out performers on the day. Nathen is now being considered for a British Title fight in 2016. Nathen controlled his fight well with quick hand speed and use of the ring, which challenged his opponent who just wanted to stand in the middle of the ring and stand toe-to-toe, however, Nathen used the ring to his advantage.

Both Nathen Dad Jamie and SWKA Head Coach Steve Lilley 4th Dan, were very proud of Nathen’s performance. Steve said “ Nathen’s performance was one of years of experience in the ring, he listened well and followed the game plan. We have work to do to be prepared for a future title fight in 2016 and need to get Nathen some more ring experience.”

Where hoping that in 2016 Nathen can bring back a British title to Tavistock. For anyone who wishes to give kickboxing a try or wanting to get involved in martial arts or looking to complete. Then please contact Steve on 07773863518, email sculpting_fitness@hotmail.com or visit www.southwestkickboxingacademy.com. If you wish you can just come along one Friday night 7.35-9pm at Tavistock College in the gymnasium.

October Gradings

Well done to all of those who graded in the October club grading. There were some great performances from all students.

The next club grading will be taking place around March, giving students the chance to get back to their levels following xmas and any new students will also be grading then as well. It was great to start adding tabs to student’s belts, showing their levels of achievement.

All those who passed their grading’s are another step close to achieving the converted black belt. Students need to remember each step closer the requirements get higher and the more techniques get to perform increase.

SWKA October Student of the Month

Congratulations to young John, on winning October student of the Month.

John has worked hard over the past month and we are hoping he will continue to raise his level of train even further over the course of the rest of this year and into next year. John has started to not to let his frustrations get the better of him and his, efforts and achievement have increased dramatically. Well Done John!

August Student of the Month

I know it’s a bit late but here we have the announcement of the August Student of the Month. Young James, receiving his student of the Month Trophy from 2nd Dan Chris Morgan.

James has been training with us for a while and is starting to make great strides in his kickboxing. Were looking forward to seeing him in his up coming grading.

Anyone wishing to take up Martial Art’s in the West Devon and East Cornwall regions, please contact us. Were always looking forward to new students joining us.

SWKA presents the South West Rope Dojo

If your Looking for Martial Arts Training in the West Devon and East Cornwall area. The SWKA are launching a new class under the name South West Rope Dojo. The class will be a 45 minute class.

The class will be on a Monday night at Tavistock College Sports Centre 7.30-8.15pm. The class will be teaching Hojojutus, which is the Japanese federal Art of rope restraint and use of ropes in daily life.

It is a small class with limited numbers of 10 allowed. We are probably the only Hojojutus club in the whole of the South West. Due to the nature of the techniques practice it is for over 18’s over and you must be willing to be tied up by your partner. We will also be using equipment such as Kaginawa’s for grappling hook work.