Sil Lum Kune martial arts academy in Bedworth had the pleasure and honour of having local MP, Dan Byles visit recently.
As a parent of one of the many hardworking students I visited Dan Byles' office regarding some personal issues. Whilst there, the conversation got round to my son achieving a British championship title at a National competition held in Derby in September of 2010.
Dan was unaware that this club existed on his door step and was amazed to learn the ability of children and adults within the club which had produced some 17 British champions in this one competition alone.
Dan showed immediate interest in the club and wanted to learn more. I gave him the website address and he seemed keen to arrange a visit to see first hand want goes on at the academy and their training practices.


On visiting the club I greeted Dan and his aide Sally and I introduced them to Sifu (title given to the instructor which means teacher) Paul Burkinshaw who runs the Martial Arts Academy in Bedworth. Paul informed Dan that he instructs children from four years upwards in the various classes held at this site. Little Tigers caters for the younger children of 4 to 8 years old as a taster and stepping stone into the other classes offered by this academy. The three other styles on offer to older kids and adults include traditional Kung Fu, MMA / grappling classes and Kickboxing with a separate Ladies only class.


We discussed the clubs achievements whilst he watched a training session enter full flight. Dan seemed amazed at the commitment and dedication the students displayed. As Dan is ex military, discussions developed into the discipline and respect students have within the club. It moved on to the benefits of fitness training, while keeping kids off the street and learning very important life skills which will stand them in good stead for later on in life.
Respect and discipline form a major part of the ethics of the club.
I, as many other parents are disappointed in the lack of recognition and publicity the club receive. "if we were a football club we would have full back page coverage, but as a Kung Fu club were lucky to even get a mention."


 Last year alone, students from this club won a total of 31 British titles in various types of sparring (fighting) and traditional routines categories. It does seem such a pity that as kung Fu and martial arts are seen generally as a minority sport they do not receive the blanket coverage in newspapers that for example is given to football. At most usually a paragraph is all that is deemed appropriate to report such fantastic sporting achievements. The Children involved have put in so much hard physical and mental preparation for the events that it does appear that unless the sport involved is mainstream it will not be recognised and reported and their achievements will take second place to more publicly liked sports.