Brothers Max and Luka Denison recently participated in a comprehensive combat sports training event designed to combat knife crime and promote physical fitness. The initiative, known as the Combat Sports Initiative (CSI), took place at Bad Company gym in Bramley and saw approximately seventy children and teenagers, all aged sixteen and under, engage in intensive training sessions. The program receives joint funding from the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines, underscoring a commitment to youth development and crime prevention.
Combat Sports Initiative: A Multifaceted Approach
The CSI program was established with the primary objective of deterring young people from knife crime by offering constructive alternatives and teaching valuable self-defense skills. Max Denison, 15, described the training as “intense,” highlighting the focus on self-defense techniques, including Thai boxing sparring and jiu-jitsu grappling. Despite being keen footballers for a north Leeds club, neither Max nor Luka had prior experience with these combat sports. Max noted the importance of trying new activities, stating, “if you’re keen on sport then it’s important to try new things.” He also found the session beneficial for his football conditioning, observing, “The session helped me reflect on just what’s required for physical fitness as footballers.” Meeting peers with similar interests and skill levels was another positive aspect, as Max added, “It was also good to meet some Thai boxers our age and see the standard they’ve reached.”
Expert Guidance and Personal Experience
Leading the sessions were experienced coaches with significant backgrounds in both military service and combat sports. Paul Scarratt, a 41-year-old weapons engineer with 24 years of service in the Royal Navy, serves as the head coach for all Muay Thai within the UK Armed Forces. Scarratt, who has been involved with CSI since its inception, shared his personal connection to the program. “Muay Thai had helped me with my own anger issues,” he explained. “When I became a father, I got involved to offer Muay Thai to help counteract rising crime amongst children.” He mentioned that CSI sessions have been conducted in various locations across the UK, including Manchester, Liverpool, and Teesside, in addition to Leeds.
Goals of the Combat Sports Initiative
Scarratt outlined the three core objectives of the CSI sessions: aiding recruitment into the armed forces, encouraging greater youth participation in combat sports, and crucially, helping children avoid involvement in crime. He emphasized the role of combat sports coaches as mentors, providing essential help and support to young participants. “Combat sports coaches are mentors providing young people with the help and support needed,” Scarratt stated. He expressed his enjoyment of CSI events due to the diverse range of participants, from newcomers like the Denison brothers to seasoned Muay Thai practitioners. The Leeds event, he noted, attracted youngsters from as far afield as Devon and Scotland, demonstrating the program’s broad reach.
Jiu-Jitsu Expertise and Family Engagement
The grappling aspect of the training was led by Tarik Bilgic, 39, who brings twenty years of experience in competitive Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Bilgic is the head coach for the Royal Marines Brazilian Jiu Jitsu team and also runs his own academy, Urso Jiu Jitsu, in Basingstoke. He eagerly embraced the opportunity to contribute to CSI, stating, “I jumped at the opportunity to coach the grappling element of CSI.” Bilgic found the experience highly rewarding, remarking, “I loved meeting the participants, the organisers and fellow coaches.” He particularly appreciated seeing families engage with the program together, noting, “It’s motivating to see families attending the session together with their children learning new skills.”
Younger Participant’s Perspective
Luka Denison, 12, the younger of the two brothers, also shared his positive impressions of the training. He described it as an “intense session that left us tired after it had got all our body parts working hard.” Luka appreciated the enjoyable conclusion to the event, which involved games, and valued the opportunity to collaborate with new individuals. The Denison brothers’ involvement exemplifies how the CSI program successfully blends rigorous physical training with engaging activities, fostering both personal development and a proactive stance against crime among young people.
Conclusion
The Combat Sports Initiative’s training in Bramley provided a valuable platform for young individuals like Max and Luka Denison to develop physical skills, build confidence, and learn about the importance of discipline and fitness. By combining expert coaching from military and civilian combat sports professionals with a clear anti-crime message, CSI aims to make a tangible difference in the lives of young people across the United Kingdom, offering a positive and empowering alternative to involvement in crime.
