A new martial arts school has opened in Sittingbourne.

Woods Martial Arts Centre is located above Kaspas in the High Street and holds classes for fitness, kick-boxing, traditional boxing and mixed martial arts for both adults and children.

Running the centre is Matthew Woods, 45, with his 23-year-old daughter, Emily.

The father-of-three, a plumber by trade, said: “It’s always been a dream of mine to open a martial arts centre.”

He has a black belt in karate, while Emily won the martial arts division in the British Open BJJ Championships, aged 14.

“I wanted to go somewhere and train, so I started holding training sessions two nights a week at the unit, before I took it over,” Mr Woods said. “But it really caught on; I had about 30 children coming each week and it inspired me to open the centre.”

Mr Woods, who lives on Sheppey with his daughters and wife Beth, has kitted the new centre out with equipment, mats and a cage for UFC combat.

“It looks amazing up there,” he said. “It’s such a lovely, big space. It’s in a great location too, and good for parking.”

He added: “I didn’t want the centre to be intimidating, I wanted it to be very family-orientated and that’s what we’ve created.

"The classes are for everyone, they’re very inclusive, and aimed at those aged five and up. It’s going to be great.”

An open day was held at the centre last Saturday for people to take a look around, and weekday classes began on Tuesday.

Children’s classes, for youngsters aged five and above, are held from Monday to Thursday from 6-7pm, while a range of adult sessions, for 14 years+, run from 6pm to 9.15pm Monday to Friday.

To book a class, visit the 'Woods MMA' Facebook page or call 07841 025805

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