Junior kick boxing class launched to teach youngsters confidence and discipline

Does your child have aspirations of being a Pokemon Master or Mighty Morphin' Power Ranger? Do they hurl themselves around the front room trying to perfect a kung-fu move?

If so, then martial arts supremo Peter Edwards may be able to help.

Peter fourth Dan black belt and three times world champion has launched the first kickboxing class for five to 12-year-olds in the area.

Taking over a room in Court Gardens each Friday evening, he has a class of youngsters, bouncing off the walls and stretching like troopers for an hour-and-a-half.

Along with his wife Lucy, second degree black belt, and their two children Lorna, five, and Lewis, eight, the pair have created a warm and friendly atmosphere perfectly geared for kids.

Peter, 41, said: "You have to come to their level and make it fun. They think it is a game but they are actually learning martial arts.

"Martial artists don't tend to teach children as young as five. A lot of kids don't know their right from their left so you need a lot of patience for it."

Peter, who is head of coaching for the British Kickboxing Squad, said teaching the sport was as much about learning discipline, confidence and agility as perfecting the moves.

His wife Lucy, added: "If you can teach a child they will have it for life. Not only does this teach them martial arts but also self-confidence, self-esteem and discipline."

Kickboxing is an aggressive sport and anyone who has seen the powerhouse moves in such films as Charlie's Angels or Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon will have seen it in full effect.

But Lucy points out that they are teaching youngsters to control aggression.

She explains: "The way I see it is if a child knows how to defend themselves and they have been properly taught, they don't need to prove it. You usualy find that the bullies at school are the ones with nothing to stand behind, low self-esteem and low confidence."

The term kickboxing can be traced back to the late 1960s when martial arts superstar Bruce Lee began his quest to find the ultimate martial arts form.

He researched and incorporated methods from East and West, searching for anything that could give him an edge over an opponent.

The name and style maybe relatively new but the methods are ancient Muay Thai, more commonly known as Thai Kickboxing, has been handed down from generation to generation over the past 2,000 years.

But as the youngsters hurl themselves across the room they are entirely unaware of Mr Lee and his quest for the ultimate martial art.

Having fun and collapsing in a heap at the end of it all is the order of the day.

Last week was the second five to 12-year-old class but it was a first for Lucy and Peter this was their children's first introduction to the sport.

Peter, who started martial arts at 11, said: "This was their first-ever lesson. We have not pushed them into it. I have let them decide for themselves and we will see how they get on and whether they enjoy it.

"If your child starts at five by the time they are a teenager they should be a very good kickboxer."

But what do the kids really think?

Sophie Binks, 12, of Station Road, Marlow, is the oldest student in the class. Her interest in martial arts was aroused by female action hero Buffy The Vampire Slayer.

She said: "This was my second lesson but I have been to a couple of the adult ones before. It is good fun, really good fun. I like using the punchbags the most. I'm definitely going to stick at it and I would like to be a martial arts expert one day."

Seven-year-old Philip Higgins has been to two of the classes, and started because his sister joined the adult class.

Philip, from Holy Trinity School, Marlow, said: "I really enjoy it and I like doing all the shuffles and the kicking. I'm definitely going to keep doing it because I'd like to be kickboxer one day. It is hard work but good also."

The Edwards' two children Lewis and Lorna both seem keen to follow in their parents' footsteps.

Lewis said: "I think it is really good. I have seen my dad do it in the house sometimes and he is really good. I want to be as good as him one day so I can defend myself at school in case I get bullied."

The classes start at 5pm every Friday in Court Garden, The Pound, Marlow.

Either turn-up on the day or call (01628) 784254 for more information

David Langton