At present there are more than a dozen YOUNG DRAGONS training regularly at my Ryde-based martial arts school called THE MARSTA (some of them appear above, top). The vast majority practice every Thursday evening – from 5:30 until 6:30. Those that cannot make this particular time-slot train at other times during the week.

Just eleven weeks ago (on June 4th, 2009) I started a second YOUNG DRAGONS class which I hold at Somerton Middle School in Cowes (some of them appear above in the lower photograph). This class is held every Saturday morning – from 11 o’clock until mid-day. This is also doing very well and although it has not yet been going very long it already has its own hardcore of regular students.

I would now like to introduce you to these youngsters all of whom are aged between 5 and 12 and work very hard during my classes…

At The MARSTA (in Ryde):

Angel Harmen

Angel has been with me for ten months now although it does seem much longer – possibly because she has hardly missede a lesson! Angel loves her training and over the past year (almost) she has become very strong and quite highly skilled.

Niall Powell

Niall is an extremely keen and strong young boy. he takes his YD raining with th eutmost seriousness – a quality he has gained from his father, no doubt, who also trains in the martial arts. Recently, at Wootton Bridge’s “Party In The Park” Summer fete, Niall led the YD Kungfu demonstration in one of the group exercises. Niall first came along to the YD class a fortnight after Angel began and its seems that the two of them have become a lifelong Kungfu brother and sister! Niall attends YD together with his older brother, Flynn.

Recently, Niall graded to Yellow Sash as did his brother, Flynn. Together they are are the higest graded YD students!  

Flynn Powell

Flynn is two years older than his brother, Niall, but together they work very well (and very hard, t0o) in the YD class. Like his dad, Flynn takes his martial arts practice seriously. He currently holds the Yellow Sash along with his brother, Niall, which makes them the two highest graded YD students.

 Michael Spencer-Peet

When Forelands Middle school invited me to teach Chinese Martial Arts (CMA) at their school some time ago I taught a fair number of students. Michael had attended my CMA classes at Sandham Middle some time earlier and now, as a student of Forelands, he was learning from me again! When the Forelands CMA course finished Michael wanted to continue.  He has since remained a very keen and enthusiastic student and has recently passed his RED SASH grading. 

 Adam Hayden

Adam Jones 

Adam first joined me when I was invited to teach my unique YD formula at Oakfield Primary School in Ryde. I have been teaching at that school now for a good few months and whilst I do have a hardcore of regular students there, only Adam has actually taken this to a very serious level. Adam (above) has just graded for his RED SASH and now wears this with great pride!

Adam not only attends my YD class on Thursdays but also learns from me privately where I teach him both Chinese Kungfu and also Taijiquan (Tai Chi). Youngsters in this country do not normally ‘take’ to Taijiquan but Adam is doing extremely well!

For an energetic 8 year-old boy his focus is increasing week by week as is his skill and his understanding. Taijiquan is not easy for a minor but his continued efforts in this art-form (see above) is doing Adam the world of good and is also bolstering and supplementing his YD practice. 

*  *  *

I have just been informed that Adam has  recently received three merits from his school. This is something he has never received before and it has been put down, by his mother, to a direct result of his ongoing training in traditional Chinese Martial Arts and Taijiquan. Well done, Adam! 

Rhys Morgan

Rhys first began to learn YOUNG DRAGONS wheI was teaching YD as an after-schools activity (at the request of the “Extended Schools Services”). Of the thirty or so youngsters I taught during that period only Rhys remained with me and so, as a result, joined my YD at THE MARSTA. Now he is training under me twice a week – Thursday evenings (at the YD class) and Saturday afternoons – as a junor member of my adult Sanshangong Kung Fu class.

Rhys is extremely enthusiastic. His level of skill is very high and he is now, as a reult of his martial arts training, very strong and very confident. 

Rhea Morgan

Rhea is the younger sister of Rhys and, like her brother, she is very attentive and takes her martial arts training very seriously. A somewhat shy and quiet girl, Rhea really did us proud recently when she assumed the role of the front of the lion in our Chinese Lion Dance performance (below) which opened the “Party In The Park” event two months ago. 

Jack Elsom

Jack first began to learn Chinese Martial Arts from me as one of several young boys I was teaching in a small private group. When the short course cam to an end, he and his parents were very keen for him to continue his training and so, being a quiet, shy and reserved young boy it was agreed that I would teach him privately. Soon after that his parents jumped in alongside Jack as they, too, were fascinated by what I was teaching. Before long their daughter also joined in the class.

After a few weeks it was agreed that the daughter was a little too young for martial arts training and so she no longer attended my class. Meanwhile, Jack was getting stronger and stronger and along with that he confidence level shot through the roof!

I am no longer teaching Jack together with his parents because Jack is now training regularly on a Thursday evening in the YD class – and for a boy who never used to like raising his voice he is now one of the loudest students when it comes to making the Kungfu Shout! 

Jack’s parent now train with me privately once a week. 

Tabatha Clews

Having recently returned to YD after taking a year off, Tabatha is now back -  a little bit older and wiser and with a renewed enthusiasm. Her father is a senior member of my adult KungFu school (The Sanshangong Academy)and so I am hoping that Tabatha will prove to be a chip off the old block! She certainly has the potential- all that is required is hard work and focus.

Amelia Clews

Tabatha’s younger sister, Amelia, has only just joined the “Young Dragons Kung Fu School” but already she is enjoying herself and is already showing great promise. Welcome, Amelia. I am sure that you are going to settle in very quickly! 

Darius Sarpe

Darius has been attending my class for quite some time now and very soon will be attesting for his White Sash. Although a rather quiet boy, Darius is energetic and enthusiastic. Shy at first he is now coming out of his shell and integrates well with the other Young Dragons. 

Isobel Russell

Isobel has been training under me for a few weeks now and is thoroughly enjoying her training. She works very hard in my class and has bonded very well indeed with my other Young Dragons. She is very proud of her uniform and just before she boughther YD tee-shirt she emailed me just to make sure that I had not forgotten to sort one out for her! Now she is patiently waiting for the day that she can take her first (White Sash) grading.

Adam Gissing (info and image to follow)

Zoe Parry

I first had the pleasure of teaching Zoe during the recent Summer Holiday Activities Scheme organized by Becky Haydock (Extended Schools Services Officer for the Ryde Area and ‘Head’ of  “Barnardo’s” on the Isle Of Wight).

Zoe joined both my Chinese Lion Dance workshop and my Kung Fu workshop and was a delight to teach because she was seriously active, adventurous and ambitious. Of all the sixty youngters I taught during the Summer school break she was one of just two who carried on her practice by way of my “Young Dragons kung Fu School” in Ryde - and I have the distinct impression that she is not only going to continue her study under me but also excel in time to come. Already she is showing both commitment and promise!

Kia Simpson-Daniel

I first met Kia (above, right) at Mayfield Middle School – at the same time I met Zoe when, together, they attended my Lion Dance workshop and my Kung Fu work-out. 

Like Zoe (above, left), Kia has boundless energy and enthusiasm for what I teach. She loved the Lion Dance and her Kung Fu training at Mayfield and now she practices along with Zoe and my other Young Dragons at my Thursday afternoon Kung Fu class in Ryde.

Kia has a great sense of humour and, like Zoe, a great sense of adventure. She has only been attending my weekly class for the past two weeks but already she has slotted in very well and is hungry to learn and eager to excel.

Marie Westbrook

Marie is another recent addition (recruit) to my YD class who was inspired by my Chinese Lion Dance worskshop at Mayfield Middle School just a fwe weks ago. A very quiet girl but not all shy, Marie trains very seriously and has integrated very well with the other members of my Thursday afternoon YD practice session.

*  *  *

During that Lion Dance workshop there were six youngsters (three boys and three girls) that showed great potential in martial arts training. None of the boys have yet come forward but the three girls…they were Zoe, Kia and Marie. Zoe and Kia joined my YD class immediately whilst Marie took a little while in deciding to come  along. But the important thing is that she is here now and training alongside other like-minded youngsters.

Welcome, Marie.

Ruby Barnett

  

Ruby has been attending my Taijiquan classes for quite some time now and from the very outset demonstrated an almost natural ability in this art -form. Now she is attending my Young Dragons class (in addition to her Taiji practice) where is is also doing extremely well.

Private students:

The Measey Family

A year or so ago I began to teach Chinese Martial Arts to Ellen and Tom Measey. Their father, Richard, had learnt CMA many years earlier but not from me. He was also very keen to learn (once again) and so it was decided that they should all learn from me together - as a family. More recently Richard’s second son, Benedict (below), began to attend the weekly Family lesson.

In addition to the Family class, Richard now attends one of my weekly Adult martial arts classes whilst his wife now attends my Taijiquan (Tai Chi) class.

George Kermode

George has been learning from me for six months now and is a very keen and enthusiastic youngster. He takes his practice seriously and is doing extremely well. Gaining in strength every week, George realizes that he will only get out of his practice what he puts into it. A very quiet boy, this may well be misinterpreted by some as a lack of confidence yet this is clearly not the case. 

Charlie Kermode

Charlie is just six years of age and, like his elder brother, George, has been learning from me for a half a year. Charlie is half the size of his brother but this does not reflect in his strength for Charlie is very strong! Being so much younger he does not have the same high degree of focus as George but he is quick to learn, quick on his feet and very flexible – as you might expect from someone his age. The beauty of my YD programme is that if Charlie keeps his practice up he will actually keep his suppleness and flexibilty when other minors begin to lose theirs!   

William Kelly

William (on the left) recently began training under me together with his friend, George Kermode. Together they make  a good team and are both doing extremely well in this private two-to-one class. Naturally athletic, William trains seriously and is a fast learner. Quite and reserved (as, indeed, they both are) William is the more outgoing, assertive  and adventurous. He is a strong boy and if he keeps his training up (as, I am sure he will do)  he is going to be a very impressive and skillful martial artist for the potential is certainly there!   

At Somertom Middle School (”COWES YD”):

 Nicola  “Nikki” Reilly

Nikki is the senior-most member of ”Cowes YD”. I first began to teach Nicola well over a year ago when she was attending my weekly YOUNG DRAGONS class at Barton Primary School in Newport. I was very sad to hear that she was leaving Barton and relocating out of town but within every negative there is always a positive and the ‘positive’ was that she was moving to Cowes where she could attend myYD group at  Somerton. Now she is a pillar of strength at my Saturday morning class as she inspires and encourages the others that do not share her wealth of experience.

Last year (2008) Nicola showed off her martial arts skills at Barton Primary School’s Summer Picnic whilst more recently, on July4th 2009 she participated in a YD demonstration as YDs from Ryde joined forces with the YDs from Barton Primary and so together opened Wootton Bridge’s “Party In The Park” held on Wootton Recreation Ground.

Alex Lockyer 

Just about to enter High School, Alex is a very strong girl and is hungry to learn!

She first began to learn from me during my martial arts class at Somerton Middle School which ran for a good twelve weeks and which ended just before the end of this past Summer term. She takes her YD training very seriously indeed and this clearly shows by way of her high level of skill. She is very well-behaved and is a great asset to this group!

 Aiden Walder

Aiden also began training under me at Somerton Middle School. He is a real character and, like Alex, has been with me for a long time now. He is a hard worker and thoroughly enjoys his weekly practice.  He is now about to enter High School and as he develops into a mature young man, so will his understanding of Chinese Martial Arts also develop.

Shannon Webb-Jones 

Shannon has been attending the YD class for a number of weeks now and is making extremely good progress. She is energetic, attentive and works very hard. She has a great sense of humour and is an assett to the class.

Jarrad Webb-Jones

 

As with his elder sister, Shannon, Jarrad is energetic and works hard. He has a good spirit and is quick to learn.

Joseph Skittlethorpe 

Joseph has only been training under me for seven weeks but for a six year-old boy he is showing great promise. He works well with the other youngsers in this class and clearly enjoys his weekly training.  Joseph is one of the more quiet members of this YD class. He is both attentive and hard-working.

 Callum Crocombe

Callum is active, energetic and adventurous! He works very hard during the physical practice even if he does not always have a great attention span during the ‘less interesting’ but necessary explanation/illustration time – but then he is only six years old! Undoubtedly his focus will increase as he learns more and more, and if he tries for his WHITE SASH next month and gets it, this will certainly (I am sure) help him with his concentration. Callum interacts well and is always keen to be the first to do everything!

Clarissa Crocombe

 A more recent addition to the Cowes YOUNG DRAGONS group, Clarissa fits in extremely well and clearly enjoys her practice. Always smiling, she trains hard, is very attentive and is never affraid to try anything new.

Nathan Bishop

Nathan first started to learn Chinese Martial Arts from me in Newport when I was teaching YD at the Medina Leisure Centre. That was long time ago –in late 2007. When I relocated to THE MARSTA in Ryde Nathan followed me there but, more recently, has left my Ryde-based class and now attends the YD class in Cowes. Late last year he took his White Sash grading and then earlier this year he took his Red Sash grading.  Nathan is a strong boy and has good potential which will shine through as he matures.

Oliver Reed

Like Nathan, Oliver began to learn from me some two and a half years ago when my YD class was based in Newport. He then followed me to Ryde and has now followed me across to Cowes. Oliver has also earnt both his White Sash and his Red Sash.

Lee Buswell

Lee is a very recent addition to the West Cowes YD class but has already proved himself to be an intelligent and sensible young man as he trains hard, listens well and takes his practice very seriously.  As the weekly class gains momentum we can certainly could do with more like him!

Jake Reed

Jake is the most recent addition to the “West Cowes Young Dragons” class. He is as cheeky as he looks but do let let this deceive you! He is another hard worker and thus he ‘delivers’. At the time of writing he joined this class just two weeks ago but has already settled in very well and his relaxed nature alows him to achive a high standard of performance. 

Jadzia Morris

I first began to teach young Jadzia at the Priory School in Luccombe, Shanklin. Some weeks earlier I had given a  demonstration of Chinese Martial Arts before  a healthy number of ‘Priory ‘ pupils and afterards Jadzia, as young as she is, made no attempt to hold back her thoughts. “I really want to learn that!” she told me. That  was some weeks (actually, months) ago now but last week she turned up at the “West Cowes Young Dragons Kung Fu School” together with her mum, Jasmin. 

From their home on the East island coast to West Cowes is no short-haul drive for Jasmin so it is very nice indeed to see a parent putting theirself out so much for their youngster. Thank you very much. Jasmin.

Already Jadzia has practiced under me at The Priory at a number of my wekly sessions but now she is becoming an official “Young Dragon“!

Nice to have you with us, Jadzia.

Jadzia is pictured above (front, left) practicing a very special Kungfu jump-kick.

More to follow later…