Salford Mixed Martial Arts club in Weaste has two new fighters vying to bring home trophies when they represent England at the World Kickboxing Championships in Dublin this November.
Selected for the presitigious honour of battling for their country are Matty Calderwood, 11, and Grace Reoch, 8.
Matty will fight in the Under 40kg category whilst Grace will compete for the top prize in the Under 30kg division.
Both qualified for the England squad after competing at the British International Championships in Bradford this month.
The club, based at St Luke’s Parish Hall on Liverpool Street in Salford has some 20 members aged from 4–11.
Matty Calderwood, 11, wins trophies
They practice every Tuesday and Thursday to learn new skills and techniques in kickboxing.
SalfordOnline spoke to trainer Stephen Holmes who told us more about the fighters and the £1,500 that they urgently need to fund their passage to Dublin.
“I have been running the club since May last year and the kids really enjoy it.
“It’s a great way to teach them discipline, they learn about training, take part in competitions, make new friends and it also not only keeps them from hanging about on the proverbial street corners, but teaches them life skills.
“The club has been running for two years and is really popular with the local kids.
“We teach them forms of discipline as well as self defence and they really love it.
“Matty has been with us for nearly two years and is a really good fighter having won several competitions in his time.
“Grace has only been with us for one year but she is turning out to be a great fighter and one for the future.
“I think that they both have a really good chance of returning home with medals I am that confident in them both.”
Sadly for the children, funds are low and the club urgently needs £1,500 to pay for flights to Dublin and accomodation.
To get Matty, Grace and Stephen to Dublin the club set up a JustGiving page to help drum up financial support, so if you wish to help these brave fighters out please contribute here.
Main image: Grace Keogh, Stephen Holmes, Matty Calderwood
