The beginning.

Martial Arts has always been a part of my life, I started Wado Ryu Karate at the age of 6 and since then I have always had an interest and passion for anything Martial Arts related.

Why is Team Queen important?

I’ve attended multiple gyms in the past, where as a woman I didn’t feel at ease, and although not all gyms are like that, sometimes it's hard to find a space where you feel included, safe and part of a community.  After years of training, I realised the need for a space like Team Queen, a space where people who may have been deterred from traditional martial art gyms can train and feel welcomed in a community that they feel comfortable in. Martial Arts has helped me grow in so many ways so I hope to share that experience with others too.

When did Team Queen start?

I started up Team Queen in 2020, after losing my job at the beginning of lockdown. I really disliked my job before Team Queen and I would constantly be thinking about starting up my own business whilst doodling potential logos at my desk. Due to working full-time and teaching/training in the evenings, I never had the time to reflect on Team Queen, but once I had lost my job I had all the time in the world to get started.

Community clubs and what they have to offer.

Team Queen is a community club that offers Kickboxing training for women and people of *marginalized genders. Through years of training and teaching at Nam Yang Brighton I have learned the importance of community clubs and creating a supportive space for others.

Team Queen offers the opportunity to learn and compete in the art of K1 Kickboxing and Muay Thai in a non-intimidating environment. I wanted Team Queen to offer a space not only for training but a space where you can become part of a community and make new friends. Our team have competed in multiple interclubs, participated in The Battle of Kent and recently we had two fighters take on their first amateur K1 fights where both achieved unanimous wins - we want to show that community focussed gyms can also produce great fighters. We now have another coach on board called Melissa, who has been training with us since the start of Team Queen. We are currently working towards become a CIC so we are able to receive funding to provide more to the community. So, if you want to compete, socialise or just pick up a new hobby then Team Queen is the place for you.

Giving back to the community.

Lastly, and most importantly! The purpose of being a community club is to ensure you give back to the community. We have previously raised money for our local charities - RISE, The Anti-Harassment Club, and the LGBTQ+ rights for the Ghana support fund - As a team we plan on doing many more fundraisering events in the future.

Thank you for your support.

I hope that Team Queen offers you the space that you have been looking for.

From Christina x