Class Timetable September 2023

Cambridge Academy Classes from September 2023

We are based at St Bede’s, in the Sportshall and Gym, with great facilities.
We have free and ample onsite parking. St Bede’s is on the Citi 2 bus route, which runs from Cambridge North to Addenbrooke’s.

Junior classes are for children aged 7 to 12 years, and are run separately from Adult classes.
Teens, aged 13 to 17 years, are welcome in our Adult classes.

We can run corporate and college events, both in-house and at our venue. Contact us for more information!

Pre-registration essential for all classes

Monday St Bede’s School Sports Hall, Birdwood Road, CB1 3TB
6.30-7.30pm Juniors, ages 7 to 12 years Savate & Integrated Fighting Arts, with the emphasis on fitness, fun and confidence
7.00 – 8.00 / 8.30pm Adults & Teens Savate French Boxing including technique, conditioning and sparring
6.30 – 7.30 / 7.30 – 8.30pm Adults & Teens Canne de Combat including technique,
conditioning and sparring
Tuesday St Bede’s School Gymnasium, Birdwood Road, CB1 3TB
7.00-8.30pm Adults & Teens Kali & Integrated Fighting Arts
Wednesday St Bede’s School Gymnasium, Birdwood Road, CB1 3TB
7.00 – 8.00 / 8.30pm Youth, ages 13 to 17 years Savate French Boxing or Canne de Combat
Thursday St Bede’s School Gymnasium, Birdwood Road, CB1 3TB
 6.30-7.30pm Juniors, ages 7 to 12 years Savate & Integrated Fighting Arts, with the emphasis on fitness, fun and confidence
7.00 – 8.00pm Adults & Teens Integrated Fighting Arts
8.00 – 8.45pm Adults & Teens Focus Mitt Workout
7.30 – 8.30pm Adults & Teens Canne de Combat
Senior Instructors Ollie and Julie are both available for private training or day time classes.
For more information, click “Contact Us” in the “About Us” menu

Savate Grading Success – April 2023

Three adult and six junior members took part in the Savate grading held on 16th April at St Bedes, in Cambridge. Members had been working hard to prepare, so we were pleased to see some good results:
Josh Emms and Kyrill Tkachov were both awarded red glove, and Seraina Blumli gained her blue glove, with merit. All 6 juniors passed, 3 gaining Savate Tiger 1, level 1 and 3 gaining Savate Tiger 1, level 2.

Martial Arts Cross-Training Seminar – 23rd October 2022

Thanks to everyone who attended the Martial Arts Cross-Training Seminar at St Bede’s. Senior Instructor Ollie Batts covered a wide range of empty-hand and weaponry skills from Kali, JKD, and Savate, with some bonus walking cane defences. It was good to see some old friends and make some new ones, and to get some great feedback.

Ollie Batts

Ollie Batts, senior instructor at CAMAOllie 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. 

Ollie Batts, senior instructor at CAMAIn 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, senior instructorJulie 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 wasJulie Gabriel, president of FISav 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!

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

Continue reading “What people say about us”