Testimonials

Details

Published on Saturday, 09 July 2011 08:39

Dave Studwick - Headteacher, Blackawton Primary School

My son has been training for just over a year and during that time he has had great fun learning a variety of techniques progressing through several gradings. I have been particularly impressed by the thoughtful philosophy of the club and its teacher (sensei) Dr Richard Catterick. He is the kind of teacher I want in my school.

Children learn self-discipline alongside self-defence. You can tell that things are well structured as children are focused and smiling for prolonged periods of time. The club is fun with just the right level of challenge for each child. Children learn to respect each other as they learn new skills. It is great for fitness and also for self confidence.

Paul Ruff - Head of PE - St Peters School Exeter

Richard has been running jiu jitsu classes here at St. Peters for a few years now. The benefits of jiu jitsu classes on our students are enormous both in a physical, mental and social sense.

Physically the students have improved their all round strength, coordination and body management skills. Mentally they appear more focussed in lessons and less likely to give up when presented with a difficult challenge and socially they show a strong respect for their team mates and opponents in sporting situations.

Graeme Lee - Parent with children attending Little Lions and Juniors

I looked around at martial arts clubs in Exeter with a view to developing self confidence in my 7 year old son. He had ability but lacked general confidence and I thought that learning a martial art would give him confidence in a variety of ways.

I researched various styles and really liked the fact that the Lionhearts programme incorporated the whole lot; Karate, kick boxing, Taekwondo striking and Judo throws as well as ground work.

There were a number of other factors that I deemed were important within the actual chosen club. I wanted a teacher that had reputable coaching and teaching credentials and not just a high level martial artist that ran a club as safety and trustworthiness were also big factors as a parent. Having never attended a martial arts club myself, I was apprehensive as to whether the atmosphere would be overly aggressive and had concerns as to how my reasonably timid son would fit in or whether I would want him to fit into such an environment.

The Lionhearts website claimed a friendly environment along with a list of benefits the classes would give students and the credentials of Dr Richard Catterick were most impressive, so we went along to a free taster session.

I have to say that 12 months later we have never looked back and I cannot speak highly enough of the club, teachers and ethos of the place. My son absolutely loves it. He has been given the Black Belt of the Week a few times because of his good focus, application and achievement during a session which spurs him on even more. The classes teach a number of fundamental things such as respect, discipline, focus, and above all achieves a fun element which is important to children of this age group in my opinion. There is a great atmosphere in the club and everyone seems to get on very well. 

The 3 day Summer school that was held recently was amazing apparently, so say all that attended, and my son enjoyed it thoroughly and is hoping that it is repeated sooner than next year!  

I found watching my son's sessions so inspiring that I have since enrolled my 4 year old daughter on the Little Lions classes, which she really enjoys as well, and have taken up adult Jui Jitsu classes myself! A great find, for me and my family.

Test video testimonial - 1