TRAINING TIMES

We're committed to bringing you the best workout experience.

Juniors (7 - 12yrs)

Tuesday 7-8pm; Thursday 6-7pm

Seniors (13yrs-adults)

Tuesday 8-9pm; Thursday 7-8pm

Under 18yrs: £4.50 per session or ​monthly:

1 session pw - £16 p​er month

2 sessions pw - £30 ​per month

18yrs+: £6.00 per session or monthly:

1 session pw - £22 per month

2 sessions pw - £40 per month

Note: All monthly payment plans are based on calendar month not a 4-weekly occurrence, to be paid at beginning of month

Bank details for standing order/BACS payment Name: R M Stobbs Account No: 23853926 Sort Code: 20-80-47

History of Morpeth Kuei-Ling (MKL) Kickboxing

MKL Kickboxing was established in June 2019 after I moved to the area from my home-town

of South Shields, where I’d enjoyed over 30 years as a fighter and coach at the hugely successful

Kuei-ling Academy ran by Kuei-Ling Chief Instructor Steve East.

The Early Days

Steve and I first met in 1985, when following a few years boxing at Horsley Hill ABC in South Shields, I’d moved to practising Lau Gar Kung Fu under Sifu Stu Nagouse. Steve was a ​senior grade student at the club who subsequently took over the club from Stu, moving the club forward to become more active and successful in the local martial arts ​tournament scene. He eventually moved the affiliation of the club from the British Kung Fu Association (BKFA) to the Freestyle Sport Karate Association (FSKA) under the ​guidance of multi world champion Alfie Lewis which, while not forgetting the value’s of the traditional martial arts, was the first real step towards a more sporting focus that ​would lead to the formation of Kuei-Ling Kickboxing. The name Kuei Ling comes from the Shaolin temple where the Lau Gar style of kung fu first originated in China.

Kickboxing

After finishing my apprenticeship as a Pipefitter at Swan Hunter Shipbuilders in 1989, I decided to travel and work abroad in Europe, where I ended up in Amsterdam which was ​to be the start of my introduction to Dutch Kickboxing. Living in a small town, Krommenie, just outside of Amsterdam, I walked into a small local gym that was run by two ​instructors Rob ‘Bob’ Schneider and the legendary fighter/coach Andre Mannaert who at the time was a world middleweight champion, fighting out of the renowned Mejiro Gym ​in Amsterdam, that he now owns and runs. The introduction to low kicks with my ‘points fighting’ style of fighting was enlightening to say the least!!

After spending a few years working (and training) around Holland, Germany and France I returned to South Shields in the early 90’s, when Steve asked if I wanted to help him set ​up a kickboxing club. This was to be the start of the hugely successful Kuei-Ling Kickboxing that is currently based at the full-time Kuei-Ling Martial Arts & Fitness Academy in ​South Shields. I began fighting on the early Full Contact Kickboxing scene, winning the WUMA NE Cruiserweight title and competing for British titles, going on to represent WUMA ​at international level, as part of England and GB squads, winning a silver medal in the WUMA World Championships in 2000, held in Sicily, Italy.

After a brief spell away from Kickboxing where I was back training in the traditional martial arts (Budo-Kai Karate) I returned to help my mentor and friend, Steve, coach his ​fighters following the huge successes of their renowned fighters from the Kuei-Ling stable. After seeing a shift in the local and national kickboxing scene around 2010, Steve ​asked if I was interested in introducing K1 style classes at Kuei-Ling. With my experience in Dutch kickboxing and a small amount of Muay Thai training with Darren Kirby, I ​jumped at this chance, running this aspect of the academy for Steve up until 2018 when myself and the family made the decision to move to Northumberland.

History of Morpeth Kuei-Ling (MKL) Kickboxing

MKL Kickboxing

The first setting for MKL was in the small dance studio positioned at the rear of Fitness Vibes gym above Super Drug on Bridge Street, Morpeth. Using second-​hand equipment donated from a few different local gyms that I knew well, along with a couple of stand-up kick bags, MKL opened its doors in June 2019, with very ​limited numbers, sometimes just my daughter, one member and myself turning up for sessions. Undeterred, I kept pushing and promoting the club, eventually ​building the membership to double figures, then in March 2020, the world was hit by the Covid pandemic. When allowed by the ever-changing Covid restrictions , I ​set up and ran outdoor sessions for members on Morpeth common, which was an eye-opener, then towards the end of 2020, the owner of Fitness Vibes ​announced they were closing the gym down, leaving MKL to find a new base. However, this was a blessing in disguise as it was then that we moved to District V ​Functional Fitness Gym at Whitehouse Farm where the club has grown hugely, in part due to the very generous donations from my sponsors ‘Linden Fluid Power’ ​and ‘Pioneer Trees and Landscaping’, enabling me to purchase top quality equipment to aid the training of members. It was also during this time that Michael ​McTavy who had been a pro-fighter for me at the Shields academy came to share the coaching load, with our ever-expanding membership and stable of fighters ​that were starting to compete and make an impact on the local K1 Kickboxing scene. Unfortunately, due to work and travel commitments Michael has been ​unable to continue to coach at the club. Fast forward to 2023 and MKL were lucky enough to gain two new coaches, both with a very deep experience of high level ​Muay Thai, Gordon and Helen Smith, who have brought an added dimension to the style taught at MKL Kickboxing.

The Future

MKL is a friendly club, that welcomes new members of all ability and experience, whether the aim is to get fit, gain confidence or become a champion in the ring. ​Classes are adapted to suit the needs of members abilities and levels. Outside of kickboxing, I work as a secondary school teacher with leadership responsibility ​for developing students character and resilience. I utilise my knowledge of teaching and learning at school and apply it to the coaching of kickboxing. Also, as a ​current teacher, I have an up to date DBS check for teaching children.

From Thursday August 1st 2024, MKL Kickboxing are moving from District V to a new base at Stobhill Community Centre, Morpeth, being able to offer more ​classes, at more convenient times in a more central venue that is more accessible for a great many more people. The coaching team and members look forward ​to welcoming more people to come and train at MKL.

Martin Stobbs

MKL Head Coach

Benefits to training Kickboxing

• Builds confidence

• Promotes physical activity

• Teaches self-discipline

• Learn self-defence

• Sharpens mind and increases focus

Encourages conflict resolution

• Instills a sense of respect

• Boosts social skills

• Teaches perseverance and resilience

Enhances listening skills and retention

For further information call 07534 102 409

WHAT SOME OF OUR MEMBERS SAY

MKL Coaching Team

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