November 2016
The UK’s No 1 fitness industry magazine
Matt wants self defence classes taught in school By Christina Eccles WORLD renowned martial arts expert Matt Fiddes has launched a petition to introduce mandatory personal security and self defence classes into secondary schools – and is calling on the fitness industry to pledge its support. Matt, who is one of the industry’s most in demand personal trainers, was Michael Jackson’s personal bodyguard in the UK for over a decade. And with over 20 years’ experience in the fitness and martial arts worlds, he claims in today’s environment, kids need the skills to stay safe; something they should be taught in schools. He explained: “I’m trying to do what Jamie Oliver did with school dinners with self defence. “[If this gets passed] it will be a very simple change to the PE curriculum, where for the last five minutes of each class, students will learn personal safety techniques.” Matt is funding the project out of his own money; meaning there will be no cost to the government, schools or parents. All he is asking for is for PE teachers to give up a couple of days to go on a training course where they will be
taught how to deliver the skills to their pupils. The initiative is also strictly antibullying – providing the skills for students to protect themselves rather than harming another person. During classes, 95 per cent of the techniques will focus on simple tactics to avoid confrontation and reduce the odds of pupils being targeted. The five per cent physical side will then focus on how to escape grabs and holds while eliminating the threat as quickly as possible. Matt’s petition has already been signed by over 1,200 people – less than a week after launching – and as well as support from his instructors, the media and celebrity clientele, he is also hoping the fitness industry will help him to spread the word. He added: “Gyms should jump on this. “They all have a membership base so could send a mailshot to members or talk about it with the mums. “Over the next six months I will be doing a tour of the UK to talk to gym owners, school assemblies and TV interviews to get the message out there. “This needs to be done. All I can do is give it my best shot – and I’m getting lots of support.”
No 278 £3
Enterprise set to be managed by operator
Local hero and Olympic Silver Taekwondo medallist, Lutalo Muhammad, has helped to officially open one of London’s largest new leisure complexes. Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre has been designed to inspire visitors of all ages to get active, play sport and feel good about themselves. The top-of-the-range facilities include climbing walls, a mini-trampoline park, a multi-challenge sport and adventure zone for young people and both wet and dry health and wellbeing spa areas. Based in Walthamstow, the Feel Good Centre also houses London’s first permanent ninja run obstacle course.
WESTWAY Trust – the charity which looks after 23 acres of land underneath the Westway flyover in Kensington – has agreed a 10-year partnership with Everyone Active to manage the sports and fitness enterprise on the estate. The partnership will see Everyone Active and Westway Trust encourage 1.2m visits to the Westway Sports and Fitness enterprise every year. To achieve the target, Westway Trust will invest £2m and Everyone Active will invest £1.7m in improving the facilities to ensure top-class centres for residents, sports clubs and community groups. Everyone Active MD David Bibby said: “We are delighted to be working with Westway Trust, such an exciting and dynamic charity that has done some truly pioneering work in sports and physical activity in West London. Our aim is to enhance the facilities and equipment, to be creative and responsive when encouraging and retaining people in sport and physical activity and manage the enterprise to the highest possible standard.”