Brothers Max and Luka Denison recently participated in a specialized combat sports training event aimed at deterring knife crime among young people. The initiative, known as the Combat Sports Initiative (CSI), took place at Bad Company gym in Bramley and brought together approximately seventy children and teenagers under the age of sixteen. The program receives joint funding from the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines.
Combat Sports Initiative: A Multifaceted Approach
The CSI program was established with the primary goal of combating knife crime by offering an alternative path for young individuals. The training sessions incorporate various disciplines, including Thai boxing and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, emphasizing self-defense techniques and physical conditioning. For Max Denison, 15, the experience was eye-opening. “The training was intense,” he shared, noting the focus on self-defense through Thai boxing sparring and jiu-jitsu grappling. Having never engaged in these sports before, Max found the sessions valuable not only for learning new skills but also for reflecting on the physical demands required for his primary sport, football. He added, “It was also good to meet some Thai boxers our age and see the standard they’ve reached.”
His younger brother, Luka, 12, echoed the sentiment, describing the session as “intense” and remarking on how it left them tired but engaged. “It was good to finish with games and enjoy working with new people,” Luka said, highlighting the positive social aspect of the event.
Expert Guidance and Personal Journeys
Leading the Muay Thai instruction was Paul Scarratt, a veteran with 24 years of service in the Royal Navy as a weapons engineer and the head coach for Muay Thai within the UK Armed Forces. Scarratt, who has been involved with CSI since its inception, views the initiative as a crucial tool for positive youth development. “Muay Thai had helped me with my own anger issues,” Scarratt explained. “When I became a father, I got involved to offer Muay Thai to help counteract rising crime amongst children.” He noted that similar CSI sessions have been conducted in other major cities, including Manchester, Liverpool, and Teesside.
Scarratt outlined three core objectives for the CSI sessions: aiding recruitment into the armed forces, encouraging greater youth participation in combat sports, and crucially, helping children steer clear of criminal activities. He emphasized the role of combat sports coaches as mentors, providing essential support and guidance to young participants. “I enjoy CSI events as I never know who’ll show up,” Scarratt remarked, highlighting the diverse range of attendees, from newcomers like the Denison brothers to highly skilled practitioners. The Leeds event notably attracted participants from distant locations, including Devon and Scotland.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Community Impact
The Brazilian jiu-jitsu component was led by Tarik Bilgic, who brings twenty years of experience in competitive jiu-jitsu and serves as the head coach for the Royal Marines Brazilian Jiu Jitsu team. Bilgic also runs his own academy, Urso Jiu Jitsu, in Basingstoke. He expressed enthusiasm for coaching the grappling aspect of the CSI program. “I jumped at the opportunity to coach the grappling element of CSI,” Bilgic stated. He found the experience of interacting with participants, organizers, and fellow coaches highly motivating, particularly observing families learning new skills together.
Benefits Beyond Self-Defense
The Denison brothers, who are active footballers for a north Leeds club, found that the combat sports training offered valuable insights into physical fitness applicable to their primary sport. Max noted, “The session helped me reflect on just what’s required for physical fitness as footballers.” This cross-disciplinary benefit underscores the broader impact of the CSI program, which aims to foster discipline, physical prowess, and a sense of community among young people. By engaging in structured combat sports, participants not only learn self-defense but also develop resilience, respect, and a positive outlook, potentially diverting them from involvement in crime.
Conclusion: Fostering Positive Futures Through Sport
The Combat Sports Initiative, supported by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, continues to make a significant impact by providing structured, skill-building opportunities for young people. Events like the one held in Bramley offer a constructive outlet, promoting physical fitness, self-discipline, and a strong sense of community. Through the dedication of experienced coaches and the engagement of enthusiastic participants like Max and Luka Denison, CSI aims to equip the next generation with the tools to make positive life choices and avoid the perils of crime.
