Spotlight on Moose Martial Arts Academy

Tell us what you do
I currently work full time and I also run a Karate club, in West Bromwich at The Moose Family Centre, on Woodward Street. The style of Karate I teach is Wado Ryu. The students that attend range from the age of 4- 6 years of age. It is a mixed ability group from beginners to long standing members. We have a few students with different disabilities and learning difficulties, and a variety of students of different ethnicities.

What is your proudest achievement?
I have different proud moments of all the students that I teach, but I am extremely proud of the support from the students and family to help the club keep running. Also I have had 3 students ages 12, 13 and 15 selected to represent England in Budapest, Hungary in October 2015. I have also been selected for the women’s section.

What is your experience of support received from SCVO (if relevant?)
SCVO has helped us with training events to keep the club running smoothly such as first aid and safeguarding children.

What is the most valuable lesson you have learnt about working with people in Sandwell?
Everyone is so different but fantastic people to work with whatever the age.

What are your plans for the future and some of the challenges you face? 
My future aim is to get more students into Karate and also the younger generation of our club to train with the England team and possible future selections. Also if Karate is proposed to be in the Olympics 2020, I hope for some of my students to take part. Challenges I am going to come across is funding within the sport and helping those, who are less likely to be able to fund competitions, training sessions with the England squad and also trips abroad.

How can SCVO help to support your organisation in the future?
SCVO have supported us so far and it would be nice for the same continuation of support to allow us to advertise to get young people, adults different diverse backgrounds and different disabilities into Karate.

For further information please contact Kellyanne Parsons – shannon19912@gmail.com