Ray Egleton

I started Ju-Jitsu in 1986, I had previously tried Judo but didn`t like it mostly because all my cousins were heavily into it and i wanted to try something different.
My first ever training club was at Basildon Sports Club run mainly by Sensei Terry Parker and later by Sensei Stuart Mcdonald , I found that the club had a different approach than all the other martial arts clubs i had visited it was friendly whilst still maintaining the discipline aspect which i liked.
Time flew by, grading by grading i edged my way forward to Black belt whilst training 3 or 4 times a week at various club in the area, attending all different courses and being part of the display team performing at different schools, fetes etc.
At last i got my Black belt and later opened my own club in 1991 , Little did i know that my knowledge of martial arts had just begun ( Teaching someone and knowing why you do it , is totally different to learning techniques) .
I first opened an adults class then a Junior class 6 months later, as my classes grew and extra clubs were opened my time for personal training got less and less. I was convinced to go for my 2nd Dan and passed on 03/12/95 ( a long 4 year gap instead of 2 ) .
But that is where i stopped, a 2nd Dan for 8 years you may shout, but i enjoy my clubs and teaching my junior students for their natural curiousity and my senior students for their rough and tumble fighting. ( one day i might go for my 3rd Dan ).
But i must say Thank you to Ju-jitsu and all of my Instructors as i think sometimes we forget that Ju-jitsu changes our lives, more confidence, different friends & a change of direction in life.