www.bannermaf.com

Our Mission:

Our mission is to make a positive change in each individual who enters our school.  Through the influence of martial arts training, we aim to improve the personal development of as many people as possible: of all ages, sizes, genders, backgrounds, and walks of life.  As a member of the National Association of Professional Martial Artists, Banner Martial Arts & Fitness maintains exemplary teaching standards, leadership within the community and an unyielding commitment to continuing education.  Our school is also a member of the Amateur Martial Association, the largest multi-style martial arts association in Great Britain.

Our School:

Our facility is over 5,000 square feet in size, and packed with the most modern training equipment available.  Our two classrooms are fully matted with state-of-the-art rubber flooring.  We take great pride in maintaining a clean and professional facility where the whole family can feel comfortable and welcome.  Have a seat in our comfortable reception area and watch our classes in action from our viewing areas.

Our school is owned and operated by husband and wife team, Conor & Sarah Donovan.  Conor & Sarah are experienced, certified, black-belt instructors of both Taekwon-do and Kickboxing.  Our instructors are dedicated to the personal development and physical fitness of our members.  Whether your goals are self-confidence, self-defence, fitness, flexibility, or to be a Black Belt...our school will take you there. 

From our toddler programs to our fitness programs, our instructors are dedicated to helping you and your family achieve your individual goals. 

Adult Programs

Taekwon-do:

Our Taekwon-do classes are ideal for those adults who are looking for a life-long positive change in both their physical and mental fitness.  Taekwon-do training will improve your ability to focus, deal with stress, and handle yourself with self-confidence.  In addition to the many mental benefits, you experience improved physical coordination, flexibility, strength and skill.  Classes incorporate a variety of traditional movements, forms/patterns, bag work, pad drills, stretching, strength exercises, and sparring drills.  You need no equipment or previous levels of fitness to get started. 

Kickboxing:

Our Kickboxing classes are ideal for those adults interested in contact sparring, competition, and intense physical training.  This martial art requires a "no pain, no gain" attitude.  Our kickboxing classes incorporate detailed technique training, bag work, pad drills, stretching, strength exercises, and sparring.  Contact sparring is involved.  Our Kickboxing students attend competitions regularly, although this is not a requirement.  You will need your own hand wraps and bag gloves to get started in our Kickboxing program. 

"Fighting Fit" Non-Contact Kickboxing:

Our "Fighting Fit" program is Non-Contact Kickboxing for Fitness.  If you love the idea of a kicking and punching workout, but hate the idea of sparring, then this is the class for you.  A satisfyingly challenging workout involving kicking & punching drills, stretching, and strength exercises, this class will tone the whole body and de-stress the mind.  No uniforms, no belts, just a challenging workout for both Men & Women!  You need no equipment or special dress. 

Children's Programs

Lil' Dragons (ages 4 & 5):

Our Lil' Dragons program is a special introduction to the martial arts for children ages 4 - 5, incorporating fun, games, and achievement awards.  This program is designed to encourage balance, co-ordination, focus, listening, following instructions, and co-operation.  This is a fun, safe way to ensure your children are keeping fit and learning at the same time.  Our instructors will also touch on how to react to bullies and to strangers, and how NOT to be a bully.

Our Tigers course is specifically designed for children ages 6 - 7.  Our instructors use fun martial-arts-based games to improve your child’s co-ordination, flexibility, and attention-levels.   Children learn to work together in pairs and in teams, and to treat each other with courtesy and respect.  This course also reviews how to respond to bullies and to strangers.

This course also introduces the traditional aspects of Taekwon-do and children learn basic self-defense techniques and Taekwon-do patterns (forms).  The belts earned in this course are genuine Taekwon-do belts and children receive official certificates of grade.  This course challenges the strengths of this particular age group, such as memory skills, teamwork, vocabulary, and hand/eye coordination.

In this age of television and play stations, children in this age group are often anxious to learn the martial arts, but don’t understand that hitting and kicking really hurts people.  Our instructors emphasize that punching and kicking can hurt, and should never be practiced on other people, shown off to friends, or used outside of Taekwon-do class.

A psychological study found that children in martial arts have an increased sense of responsibility, a decrease in the willingness to take foolish risks and a higher sense of self-esteem.  This is why millions of parents are using martial arts to supplement their children's education.

Juniors (ages 8 - 13):

Our goal is to build our students from the inside out.  This means that our first goal is to build confidence, self-discipline and self-esteem.  We train our junior students (ages 8-13) to use common sense before using his or her skills for self-defence.  Self-control is a main aspect of the course for this age group.

We stress the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  The martial arts build strong bodies and strong values.  We can help parents develop children who value honesty, courtesy, respect for authority and the ability to say "no" to unhealthy peer pressure. 

A psychological study found that children in martial arts have an increased sense of responsibility, a decrease in the willingness to take foolish risks and a higher sense of self-esteem.  This is why millions of parents are using martial arts to supplement their children's education.