We were honoured to be invited to the Britain In Bloom Judging Day by Melanie Goldstein from the Canary Wharf Group (CWG). This prestigious event provided a unique opportunity for us to showcase our programme and involve our young participants in a significant community event.
A Day to Remember
We took eight young people to the Canary Wharf Crossrail Rooftop Garden to be part of an exhibition in partnership with CWG. This was an integral part of a judging panel involving various businesses funded by CWG, and we were delighted to be approached by Mel Goldstein to participate. Our regular members were eager to be part of this milestone.
Engaging Activities and Positive Reception
The event was well received by the children and young people (CYP), parents, judges, and organisers. Our activities included fitness to burn energy and keep morale high, going over the fundamentals, pad work with coaches, and technical sparring. The energy was joyful, and everyone was enthusiastic about the experience.
We even had the pleasure of welcoming a young girl from the general public who joined us for her first Muay Thai experience. Her natural aptitude for the sport was impressive, and she picked up the techniques quickly, making it hard to believe it was her first time.
Notable Improvements and Bonding
I observed significant improvements in Coco’s concentration and coordination. She also bonded gracefully with her brother Cairo, using Muay Thai as a form of interaction. It was heartwarming to see the siblings connecting through the sport.
Our regular students were building bonds with each other like never before. They pushed each other to improve and interacted playfully and competitively. The use of foam mats allowed the young people to be playful without the risk of serious injury from concrete flooring—a luxury we currently do not have at the academy.
A Special Guest
Melanie Goldstein, the Community Engagement Manager for Canary Wharf Group, introduced herself to everyone and even participated in some pad work with me. We captured this memorable moment on video, adding to the highlights of the day.
Reflecting on the Experience
Overall, the day was an amazing experience. I was proud of the young people and grateful for the parents' support in making this event possible. We also had productive discussions with the parents and Melanie about organising a fundraiser. The goal is to raise funds for martial arts mats, which would enable us to teach more techniques safely and extend our service offering to reach more young people.
Looking Forward
The Britain In Bloom Judging Day was not only a success but also an inspiration. It highlighted the importance of community support and the impact of providing safe and engaging environments for young people to learn and grow. We look forward to future collaborations and to continuing our mission of empowering young people through martial arts.
Gratitude to Our Supportive Parents
We are deeply thankful to the parents for trusting us and allowing their children to participate in our programme. Their unwavering support and encouragement have been invaluable. The positive feedback we have received from parents about their children’s improvements in confidence, coordination, concentration, behaviour, and ability has been heart warming.
Witnessing these transformations reaffirms our commitment to providing a nurturing and empowering environment for all our young participants. Thank you for being an integral part of our community and for sharing in the journey of your children’s growth and development.
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