By Kirra Livingstone
SIX competitors from Matt Fiddes (MF) Martial Arts Hinterland have been selected to represent Australia at the MF Martial Arts International Championships in Bath this October.
Every few years, Australia sends a team of 100 to compete against Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand and England in a range of age divisions and disciplines, including a mix of taekwondo, karate, jiu-jitsu, kickboxing and muay thai.
MF Hinterland instructor, Nicole McDermott, said Australia performed strongly at the last championships, taking home 41 medals.
“It’s going to be very exciting, we will go over there and do the best that we can with our students and hope to bring home as many medals as possible,” she said.
The school has a fundraising committee to help families cover costs, with proceeds from canteen sales, local triathlons and raffles supporting the team’s expenses.
“All the proceeds go towards our team going to the international championships,” McDermott said.
“It just helps cover the costs, and the main thing it covers is group accommodation, transportation and food.”
MF Hinterland will be represented by McDermott and her daughter Ella from Glass House, along with a teenager and a mother with two children from Mooloolah.
McDermott identified Scotland as Australia’s biggest rival.
“The Scottish team are very strong, so we’ll be out for them,” she said.
“We will keep an eye out for them, they actually railroaded us the last time we competed against them.”
With six months until the championships, training remains at a standard level but will intensify three months out, including weekend sessions.
MF Martial Arts Hinterland runs classes in Landsborough, Mooloolah and the Glass House Mountains.
