Thrive MMA owner and coach Paul Traish has introduced a way to put the negativity to bed and teach kids from kindergarten through to year 7, about the core elements of MMA through running a 'Future Champions' class twice a week at the Club Revive gym complex.

"There is a mental understanding over physical, there are core behaviours in MMA consisting of the three R's - respectful, reliable and responsible.

"The kids are taught the basics of MMA such as striking, striking, defending, stand up and learning how to take an opponent to the ground safely, but it's not as formal as MMA and there are still rules," Traish said.

Traish also said there was an emphasis that the students were made to understand the skills learnt were sports skills, and only acceptable in the appropriate environment.

"Kids train appropriately for their age, there is no hitting each other, when learning a position the fighters will slap hands and touch knuckles as a sign of respect between each other, they are taught to train fair and look after each other," he said.

He also said the training allowed the kids to be a better individual and athlete.

"MMA is good for any type of sport really and with this class the kids not only get to have a laugh and be kids, they also participate in activities and games aimed at improving strength, flexibility, coordination and balance," he said.

Traish said it was enjoyable for the kids as it was different to traditional MMA and not as repetitive.

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"It's different every time, the application changes each class, and we run everything with an iPad on a TV screen.

"We start with a warm up game, stretches and demonstrations and we don't do one thing longer than three minutes which is great for their attention span.

"They learn two things and then have a game to incorporate what they learnt and we don't give them time to lose interest," he said.

Tiffany Willmott, whose six-year-old son participates in Future Champions, said her son loved going to class each week.

"He's right into it, especially after watching our very own Blake Sheppeard, he looks up to him," she said.

Mrs Willmott also said the classes had taught her son self-defence and fitness.

"He has a gentle soul and doing this has brought out even more respect and discipline, so he will definitely be doing it again next term," she said.

She also said Traish was a great instructor and she encouraged more faces to get involved.

Future Champions will re-start at the beginning of the next school term and run for a 10 week program on Tuesday's and Thursday's. 

Traish welcomed both boys and girls to get involved. If you're interested in signing your child up for the next program contact Paul Traish on 0448 474 837.

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