SALT Ash Community Hall has been hosting Jujitsu classes for 26 years.

The academy welcomes children to adults from seven years and over.

The club is purely based on self-defence techniques and does not compete with other academies or host competitions.

In May this year, 2 of the clubs original black belts, Maria and Brian Sharp graded for their 6^th and 5^thdan black belts.

The clubs founder, Robert Toll is hoping to grade for his 10^thdan black belt next year.

This is the highest level you can receive in Jujitsu.

Robert, who teaches both junior and senior classes, started training 45 years ago, opening the Salt Ash branch in 1990.

Approximately two years ago, the club changed the learning criteria for the first belt.

This is because many people don’t make it all the way to black belt, and often find it hard to remember the first thing they were taught.

“In this day and age, there are so many knife attacks. That is why we took it out of black belt and made it the first thing you learn,” said Mr Toll.

It takes approximately ten years of continuous training to become a black belt.

“The reason why training takes so long is so it comes second nature and an automatic reaction,” said Mr Toll.

The club teaches all types of physical defences such as punching, kicking, knife and gun attacks, break falling, defence against a boxer and shoulder rolls.

Classes run every Thursday of the school term, from 6.30pm to 7.30pm for primary aged kids and 7.30pm to 9.30pm for high schoolers and adults.

The club is a good opportunity to meet new people, get fit and most importantly, learn self-defence.

If you have any questions about the club, you can contact Robert Toll on 0408 007 866.

 

By Simone JOHNSON