VMA goes Virtual

VMA goes Virtual and comes out Victorious.

This situation has not been ideal but the students are enjoying being able to keep up their passion and keep in touch with their friends seeing them daily in our classes and being able to interact with others despite the rules and regulations currently in place. If you are interested in giving your child something to do during lock down contact us on 07827453322 and a try a whole week of classes for free our classes are perfect for all children age 4 – 13, this is what one of our parents had to say. At VMA (Visionary Martial Arts) we are a karate community. With so many friends and families taking part in our classes we were very concerned about how our club would survive during lockdown, not only that but we were only a week away from our student grading which the children were really excited for. So, we had to figure out how to keep classes going, not just for business but to give our amazing students a bit of normality.

That’s when we decided to launch our Virtual Training, we made our own home studio and learned how to use video conferencing so our students could still get that personal interaction, rather than just watching an instructor teach which was very important for us. We are a community whether in person or over cyberspace. On the 25th of March we launched our Virtual Training programme, running 5 days a week, we were adamant that we were going to bring the same high quality of freestyle creative karate classes to all

our students.

“Just wanted to say how fantastic these guys have been during this tough time, giving my son excellent online lessons every single week day with regular one to one lessons too. Their absolute dedication to their students is second to none and I would highly recommend them to anyone.

My Son would also like to say that the classes are amazing. S Vokins.” Since then we have been firing on all cylinders, with students having already passed 1 virtual grading earning their new belts and they are currently preparing for their next one at the end of the month, some students are even getting ready to learn their first martial arts weapons.

From time to time there is,amongst the list of local friendly fixtures a special game, a day out to enjoy playing bowls a little further from home and to create memories that will live in the memory for a long time.

Between 2009 and 2018 there were five such games ---- each memorable for different and unique reasons.

Where would you be bowling and see Green Parakeets flying around? Where would you complete your journey to the green by boat or keep an eye open to see if The Queen might appear? Where would you stop off at one seaside resort for lunch and then move on to another to bowl on a green with a view of the sea?

On June 28th 2009 an excited coach full of City and Port Bowlers headed for Windsor Great Park to play a six rink game and it was here that the Parakeets were very much an attraction. Not just one or two but a whole flock of them. The sun shone, the game was enjoyed and at the end there was tea and drinks in the magnificent club facilities --- what a place to have tea!! To add further to the sense of occasion the hosts sang their club song --- and sang it very well. It was quite a day.

The following season, on July 10th there was a very different day out. A visit to the seaside and not one but two resorts and a game of bowls!! Sidmouth was the first port of call and time for lunch before moving on to Seaton --- just up the coast and a six rink game on a green with views of the sea and a warm welcome from the hosts.

It was a little over three years later on September 18th 2013 that there was a very special game in Windsor --- this time against The Royal Household. Her Majesty The Queen is Patron of the club and captain Graham Crisp did say that on occasions, when the Queen is in residence at Windsor Castle she does take an interest in the club and does come to watch games and meet the people who are playing. So --- a visit was possible but on this occasion didn’t happen, so we didn’t get to meet the queen!!