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After a bit of downtime after the IMMAF competition due to a number of us bringing home the Italian flu, I thought it would be fitting to spend some time putting together a recap and say a few words of thanks for what was an excellent week for English MMA and a great year of progression.
Looking back to December 2021, the first squad session post-Covid with the new EMMAA organisation. The Junior and Senior squads were under the supervision of newly appointed Head Coach Paul Kelly. Paul and I pulled a team together to represent England at the IMMAF Worlds in January in Abu Dhabi.
The team didn’t medal, but the guys were great. I quickly realised why Paul Kelly was the perfect fit for EMMAA; he embraces teamwork, creates a team environment and, most importantly, cares about everyone whilst always looking to collaborate with others. With Paul came his student and trusted friend Vaughan Lee, a legend of MMA, one of the most talented martial artists you will ever meet and most importantly, a great man we all adore. Also joining the squad with Paul, his son Kean, a talented young fighter with a great future ahead of him and clearly, someone who will progress to be a great coach judging by his presence around the team. The great woman behind the great man is Paul’s supportive wife, Sam Kelly, who helps Paul and puts her heart and soul into supporting the team.
All of these ingredients, in addition to Paul being a super experienced and high-level martial artist and always being a student of the sport, are why the English team have flourished. We are grateful to have him and, for me, another valued friend made from this great sport.
Everyone involved needs the support of their partners. For me, Mrs R has been incredible support and travelled with me to Abu Dhabi, worked so hard on the Four Nations and again attended the semi-finals and finals in Italy. To all the partners of the team a big and heart felt thank you.
It’s important that I also recognise and thank the other coaches who were in attendance in Italy, again a team built by coach PK: Christian Smith, Patrick Martin and Dan Cassel, who all contributed immensely. It took a lot of commitment, time and money to support the team, and they gave everything in Italy.
A further mention and thanks to the coaches who gave valuable time to squad days: Kamby at Fearless, Dave Lee at Crossface, Molly McCann, Paul Rimmer, Ellis Hampson, Adam Ventre and the Team at Next Generation. They all contributed significantly, and the squad will continue to travel to all of them again for squad sessions. Many of the squad have already planned to spend time at Next Gen; such is the impact Paul Rimmer and the Team had on them at the last training session.
Always there supporting us with admin is Marie Spencer. So many don’t see what goes on in the background. Marie has been a stalwart for EMMAA, supporting the arduous registration process and communication and being a driving force with the youth squad.
The’ Boss’ Marc Goddard, who was out in Italy representing IMMAF but for the EMMAA team, was always there for advice and direction. His passion for doing the right things and creating opportunities for young athletes is unrivalled. Outside of Marc’s busy schedule as one of the world’s leading officials, we work closely to develop EMMAA, and whilst he won’t mind me saying that he doesn’t take any prisoners at times, I also know he will back you to the hilt if you show a willingness to do the right things to develop the sport.
The tireless work of Dan Movahedi and Sam Amidi in the Affiliate show programme cannot go unrecognised. They are always supporting the team and looking to maintain good standards. In addition, I thank Ray Thompson, Dan Cassel, Carl Liddle, Andrew Fisher, Paul Sutherland and Raj Singh for their cooperation, it’s a two-way process, and they always deliver.
A big success for EMMAA has been the creation of the media team led by the brilliant Dana Cripps. Dana gives so much time and effort to EMMAA, not only to the media responsibilities but in supporting from an admin point of view. She travels over 10-hour round trips to attend squad days and meetings, joined us in Italy to support us and gives so much to EMMAA. We are undoubtedly lucky to have her. Dana works closely with Ross Patterson and Joe Leigh on the media team. Ross and Joe were with us in Italy, working hard to create so much attention via social media content and being a massive part of the team! Both are always ready to help and support; you can see they live and breathe it with the team competing. Joe Leigh even has his own team anthem now ‘JoeLeigh, JoeLeigh, JoeLeeighhh, JoeLeeeeeiigghhhhh!’
Thank you to everyone on the EMMAA board sending support and to the EMMAA performance board for their support throughout the year. It’s a big team effort and a special mention to Carl Evans, a brilliant man and someone I can talk to everyday to bounce off ideas and take inspiration from.
And then the team, all of who gave everything out there in Italy: Tommy (Rilla), George S, Summer, Lisa, Kelly, Millie, Teddy, Kean, Musa, Jordan L, Owen (team captain), George Y, Aaron, Jack H (Spunky), Jack, Mitchell, Jake and Jordan M. I mean WHAT a team, in the Cage and out! Our most successful medal haul brought home eight medals – two gold, two silver, and four bronze. The team supported each other passionately and created a noise that sang out around the arena. So much to celebrate, laugh about, and friends and memories made for life.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep saying this is the right pathway for amateurs. If you need one thing to convince you, take a look at what it means to them all, and ask them about the experience. Imagine a sport where you turn up to fight and do not cherry-pick opponents, where you can gain 1-5 fight experience in 5 days, best officials, medical standards, and WADA testing with a team of people that want to see you succeed, developing yourself whilst being in a safe environment, travelling the world and coming home with great memories.
EMMAA won’t get everything right, but its intentions are genuine. The sport has to develop; we all know that and where it will lead – who knows? Running EMMAA is a challenging task with only a voluntary team. Still, I know good things are already happening. The EMMAA team will continue to talk, learn, and collaborate whilst always trying to do the right thing to elevate amateur MMA and our athletes.
As they say onwards and upwards…
