Kia Ora Auckland, I hope all is well.
My name is Andy Medcalf and I am coaching at the newest martial arts academy in Bucklands Beach. I wanted to update all of my team mates and everyone in the local community about what’s been going on recently at our club which has started with humble beginnings. My aim in this is to promote the hard work my son and my students have been putting in, and to encourage any new prospective students to come down and experience the mats for themselves.
Firstly, after many hours of moving parts, the academy has finally made the transition from its temporary hub in my garage, to a permanent relocation in a beautiful facility overlooking the Bucklands Beach area. This new facility is clean, well-matted and has good lighting for a positive learning environment. Below is a picture of my family getting warmed up trying out the new mats!
For several years now, I have moved away from the BJJ and MMA competition scene where I spent much of my youth. I have been developing my students so they can gain their own achievements in these sports. This year, to reconnect with competition, to hone my skills and to feel adrenaline, I decided to compete in the New Zealand National Grappler Tournament held in Auckland, alongside my son Ryan whose been training hard as always.
The National Championship is the biggest competition in the country; it hosts kids, adults and master’s (30 years plus) divisions.
My son Ryan got off to a slow start and lost his first match to the winner of his division, a BJJ blue belt, he went on to dominate the next and to take the bronze medal. We have discussed what went well, what went wrong and what we can work on at the academy. Ryan is excited for the next opportunity to face the local talent in any upcoming competitions.
Myself, although in the master 2 age bracket, entered the adult division as I always have throughout my international / domestic competition career. It was a very small division but I went in with the same approach I’ve always had, ready to fight as many opponents as were required. I quickly rose on points and I landed a six-minute choke in the final. This means I’m now the super heavyweight brown belt national champion in the adult division.
Needless-to-say I’m very proud of all the hard work that has been put in lately by the club, my family and even myself. Bucklands Beach BJJ & MMA is a truly positive environment where hard works pays off and everyone is improving!
