UK Martial Arts News
30th April 2008 - Student of the Month & New Assistant Instructor - Tring
 A double congratulations go to Stuart Miller, who scooped the Student of the Month award for April and who has accepted a position as Assistant Instructor in Tai Chi. Stuart trains at Tring Martial Arts, the HQ for UKMA's network of clubs and practices both Kickboxing and Tai Chi. Stuart showed excellent determination throughout his training and has a quiet unassuming nature, a great character and above all he shows a passion for learning. Throughout his practice of Tai Chi, Stuart shows great concentration and demonstrates an analytical approach to learning the form which he performs to a high level.
We're pleased to be able to Stuart this award and welcome him to the Instructors panel.
16th April 2008 - Power Rangers Join Kickbox Kids!!
 UK Martial Arts has continued to use its film industry contacts to get us shortlisted for an event to support the new Power Rangers series "Operation Overdrive". We have been selected along with 15 other clubs in the UK to host the Channel Your Energy for Good Competition. To find out more see our Kickbox Kids page by clicking here
 The new Kickbox Kids term starting from next week will also include free entry into the Power Rangers Competition.
The Power Rangers have chosen 15 martial arts clubs in the UK to be part of their competition, they liked everything they saw from our website and we’ve been handpicked to host their competition.
12th April 2008 - Malympex Competition - Stoke Mandeville
 The competition squad took to the road again this weekend, thankfully we didn't have to travel far this time. The Malympex Competition featured competitors from all over the UK and some teams from Europe too. It was a long day, but a worthwhile experience for all competitors. Kevin Bettles, newly promoted to Assistant Instructor took Silver Medal in the Veterans section and Chris Allen, Chief Instructor took Silver for his Tai Chi form in the Chinese Forms section.
8th April 2008 - UKMA's first Corporate Event
 On the 8th and 11th April 2008, UKMA was booked for its first corporate event. Teaching Tai Chi and Kickboxing at two sessions held early in the mornings of the 8th and 11th heralded a new direction for UKMA and yet more possibilities for would-be instructors who want to join the IDP. The two classes were successful and we expect to be re-booked by this company for another event in August 2008. For more info on corporate events click here.
Monday 31st March 2008 - Student of the Month Award
 Student of the month award for March goes to Paula Andrews. Paula is a hardworking mum who originally came along to classes to support her son, and now is a committed member of the club. Paula trains hard and seems to thrive on the atmosphere in the Tring Club. A tearful Paula commented afterwards about how much she enjoys the classes and is now ready to start working towards her black belt. Chris Allen, the Instructor at Tring commented, "She would make an ideal black belt, she has the commitment and dedication required and I am sure she would make it, I look forward to supporting her in her goals".
Sunday 30th March 2008 - Kickbox Kids
On Sunday 30th March 2008 the Kickbox Kids were awarded their grades following an intense grade assessment before Easter. Overall the level of performance shown was excellent, with some notable high pass marks for a couple of the students.
 Annabelle Chester was voted Student of the Term by the instructors for her hard work and concentration shown throughout the term and the grading, well done Annabelle.
Annabelle is pictured here with her Trophy and Blue Belt.
18th March 2008 - Lights, camera, action - UKMA approached to support new Martial Arts film in August 2008.
With our connections in the film industry, UKMA has been approached to support a new martial arts film that is due out in August this year, details are sketchy at present, but we do know that the film is being released in August and I've heard rumour it will be called RedBelt. This may involve some demonstrations of Martial Arts at cinema's and shopping centre's. Last year, UKMA was approached to support the Mutant Ninja Turtles Movie but we weren't in the position to supply any demonstration teams.
This year we would like to invite to apply to join all our Elite Demonstration Team (EDT). The EDT will train students in the use of weapons for display purposes or open hand styles for Demonstrations at film premier events, local fairs and shows and at other events around the county.
To apply to become a member of the EDT, students must have a UKMA Uniform (with UKMA Logos) and have either graded to Yellow Belt or have experience of another style of Martial Arts. Successful applicants will need to attend all EDT training sessions, and commit to practice in their own time. Ahead of each event, applicants will be assessed and candidates selected.
To apply for EDT membership, please visit the Documents & Forms Section and see the Classes Section at the bottom of the page. (You will need to login to access this document).
18th March 2008 Shop revamp
Following some great feedback we've changed the layout of the shop and have now included a number of single items that were only available in kits such as the Sparring gear.
We've also updated the Gallery with lots of videos, check them out as soon as you can - their great!
17th March 2008 - Kickbox Kids Grading
On 17th March - Kickbox Kids in Tring attended their end of term grading, a good effort was shown and results will be announced on Sunday 30th March 2008 at 12:15pm.
6th March 2008 - Successful sparring workshop
 The first sparring workshop was a great success, it was held at Tring and some 16 students took part, many of whom had never sparred before. We were particularly pleased to see so many juniors at the event, and they realled held their own! Check out the gallery for a couple of the videos taken on the day. Photographs have been added to the photo gallery.
5th March 2008 - UK Martial Arts site now live!!
"I'm very pleased to be able to offer our fully functional site to all students and instructors at UKMA. It's been a very long process but thanks to professional help from Bushido Web Design and my efforts we're finally there", commented Chris Allen, Chief Instructor.
2nd March 2008 - Chris Allen's personal challenge
Chris Allen, pictured left took on a very personal challenge this weekend by taking part in the Milton Keynes Half Marathon (13.1miles).
"My main running experience until now has been to aid my Kickboxing and Martial Arts training, but with a 3 year gap between my 2nd Dan and 3rd Dan Black Belts I've taken on a few personal challenges to keep my fitness at the desired level. Last year I took part in a 10K, this year I decided to run a half marathon, and am looking forward to perhaps another half before the end of the year", commented Chris afterwards.
"Running 4 times per week as well as teaching full time in the day and evening and getting UKMA off the ground has been very tough, but I'm glad I found the time and put in the training and am very happy to have completed the course in 2hrs 22mins. I have been extremely lucky to have been supported and coached by my wife Daphne, who's done a lot of running in the last few years and has helped me no end, especially when it was cold, wet and horrible outside and I didn't want to go out for the training runs. Daphne did the Edinburgh Marathon last year and I couldn't complain about the mileage as she'd already done double the distance".
So what's next - Marathon - "errrr, maybe next year!"
1st March 2008 - UKMA goes mobile
 UKMA is now truly mobile with the purchase of our first vehicle solely for transporting our every increasing amounts of equipment and for our students to look cool in when arriving at competition (there's now a waiting list for lifts in the truck)!
28th February 2008 - Tring Student of the Month Award - John Williams
 John Williams is a student at our Tring Martial Arts school, he's played a pivotal role in every class, dedicates himself to his training and encourages and coaches new students. Plus he's got some great kicks too! Well done John!
19th February 2008 - New Class starts at St Columba's College - St. Albans
On 19th February, UKMA opened a second class at St. Columba's due to the great amount of interest shown in the Thursday class. For more information, click here
17th February 2008 - Tring Grading
Another successful and busy day at Tring branch, with some 40 students taking their grade assessments to progress through the ranks. We had some tremendous results, including 3 Double Grades so congratulations to all the students who took part. Photographs are available to view in the gallery section.
31st January 2008 - Tring Student of the month award - Martin Ritter
 Congratulations to Martin Ritter for being award Student of the Month, Martin has been at the TMA for about 6 months and has made a great contribution to the classes. His determination and dedication to his training is second to none - well done Martin!!
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