The Academy was established in 1989 by instructors qualified in a variety of martial arts and combat disciplines. We offer high-quality, safe and fun classes in a friendly and appropriately relaxed environment. Our three main training programmes are Integrated fighting arts, Savate and Canne de Combat. You can chose to train in one or all of these programmes. Find out more in The Arts. Our instructors are DBS checked and fully insured. You can find out more about our instructors by visiting the Instructor menu, in About Us.
Our Instructors
High quality training, with qualified trainers, is essential to good and safe progression. Our instructors are carefully selected, and encouraged to continue their own development in martial arts. CAMA instructors, who are responsible for running any training sessions, are required to hold a First Aid certificate and be CRB checked.
Ollie Batts
Ollie Batts is the main founder and senior instructor at CAMA. He has over 40 years experience in the martial arts, and has black belt and instructor grades in several martial arts.
These include: fourth degree black belt in Combat Sombo® (UK Sport recognised), third degree black belt in Doce Pares Eskrima, under Grandmaster Danny Guba, and second level instructor in Jun Fan JKD/Kali, under both Rick Young (Edinburgh, UK) and Rick Faye (Minnesota Kali Group, USA).
Ollie is a Professor in the art of Savate, and internationally recognised as an instructor of Savate Boxe and Savate Defence. Several years ago, he was presented with an Savate instructor diploma by the Federation International de Savate. He was a founder member of the national Savate organisation, and its President for several years.
Prior to 1989, Ollie taught traditional Korean martial arts for many years in Cambridge, holding black belts in Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Kuk Sool (one of the UK’s top instructors in 1989). More recently. he wrote a book on Combat Sombo, helping to popularize the art in this country.
In 2012, Ollie was honoured with a top awarded for his services to martial arts. Accompanied by several senior students and members of his family, Ollie was presented with the award at the Martial Arts Illustrated Hall of Fame presentation.
Ollie also conducts private sessions, and self-defence courses and seminars locally, throughout the UK, and abroad. Please enquire if you would like to host Ollie for a training seminar with your group.
Julie Gabriel
Julie Gabriel has over 30 years experience in martial arts, training mainly with Ollie. As one of his senior students, she supported him in founding the Academy in 1989. She holds a third degree black belt in Combat Sombo, second degree black belt in Doce Pares Eskrima, first degree black belt in traditional Korean martial arts, and has been awarded instructor grade in Kali and Jun Fan / JKD under Rick Faye (Minnesota Kali Group, USA).
Julie is a Professor in Savate and was presented with an Instructor Diploma by the Federation Internationale de Savate. She teaches regular Savate, Canne de Combat and Kali classes, as well as private sessions, and self-defence and related topics in schools, colleges and companies.
Julie was
a member of the Great Britain team in World and European Savate Assaut Championships from 2005 to 2009, and was the GB league champion in the 52-56kg category three times. She was placed 5th in the European Canne de Combat Championships in Strasbourg in 2006 and 13th in the World Canne de Combat Championships in 2008.
Julie has been involved in Savate and Canne de Combat at the international level for several years. She was elected as President of the Federation Internationale de Savate in September 2010, and has attended Savate and Canne events in many of the federation’s member countries, from Canada to China, from Finland to Madagascar!
Jon West
Jon West has trained with the Academy for more than 20 years, mainly in Savate, Cane and Kali. He holds moniteur level in Savate and Canne de Combat. Jon competed in the Championnat du Monde de Canne de Combat held in La Réunion in October 2004, and was also the main instructor for the Great Britain team. Jon and Morgan share the teaching of the Monday evening Canne de Combat class.
Morgan Alexander
Morgan Alexander began training, with Julie, in self defence and Kali in 1997. She joined the Academy in 1999, and was awarded her JKD/Kali instructor qualification in September 2006. Morgan was awarded Instructor Level 2 in CAMA JKD-Kali-Silat ‘Integrated Fighting Arts’ in October 2009. Morgan also holds Moniteur status in Savate and Canne de Combat and brown belt in Doce Pares Eskrima.
Morgan competed in the World Canne de Combat Championships in 2004 (La Réunion, France), 2008 (Marburg, Germany), 2012 (St Herblai, France) and 2016 (Varazdin, Croatia).
Morgan has been a member of the GB national Savate team since 2006 and was a Bronze medallist in the 2012, 2016 and 2017 World Savate Assaut Championships and World Savate
Combat Championships. She was also a Silver Medallist in the 2015 European Savate Assaut Championships. She also represented GB in the World Combat Games in 2013 (St Petersburg, Russia).
Tarquin Coles
Tarquin Coles joined the Academy in 1997, after previously studying Karate for six years and having achieved his black belt in that discipline. He was the first member of the Academy to win a Sombo Wrestling black belt, when he became British Champion in the 90kg weight class in Bedford in 1998. Tarquin was awarded his CAMA Level I Grappling instructorship in July 2003. Although not teaching regularly at this time, Tarquin is often present at training sessions, and is a great training partner whether you are a beginner or an advanced student.
What people say about us
Here’s a small selection of the messages we were delighted to receive in July 2009 when we celebrated the 20th birthday of the Academy:
Rick Faye, Chief Instructor, Minnesota Kali Group:
As far as Ollie Batts goes…that horrible man – He has only been one of the truly solid pillars of martial arts in the UK for as long as I have known him. His knowledge is vast and his ability to communicate and inspire students has helped thousands.
I have grown a deep respect for Ollie (and Julie as well) over our years of association. His attention to detail and ability to use new information has kept CAMA on the forefront of this field for many years. I have always looked forward to my trips to Cambridge and I hope this year’s is as good as always.
Deepest Respects and best wishes