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.
Joining the Academy
The Academy welcomes new members, whether beginner or experienced. We are community-based club, with a mission to open up the martial arts and combat sports to the widest range of people.
Our instructors are qualifed, friendly, trained in First Aid and have been CRB/DBS checked. If you are unsure which class(es) to try, and you would like to talk with one of the instructors, you are welcome to call or email.
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.
Taking Bookings Now for the Cambridge Academy Essentials programme
Improve your fitness and increase your confidence at the same time!
The Cambridge Academy Essentials programme is a new training initiative for adults and teens. It is a ten-week rolling programme which covers around 40 of the most needed and most effective techniques for Self Defence.
Experienced instructors will share the essential skills and training methods in a safe and fun environment. In addition, the Essentials programme provides an overview of the martial arts, and the systems in which Cambridge Academy in particular, are involved. You can gain a solid base in the martial arts by working through the 10-week Essentials programme.
The Cambridge Academy Essentials sessions run on Tuesdays, from 7pm to 9pm, at St Bede’s Gym, and include:
balance & footwork
escapes from grabs and holds
striking skills
defence against strikes
defence on the ground
weapon familiarity and disarms
and much more
Certificates will be awarded to all those who complete the Essentials 10-week course. The fee to attend Essentials sessions 1 – 10 is just £80. Any missed sessions along the way can be caught up the next time it comes around, at no extra cost.
If you would like more information first, email: ollie.cama (at) gmail.com
Or, if you prefer to speak with someone, please call Ollie on 077 09 814 422
Venue:
St Bede’s Gym
Birdwood Road
Cambridge
CB1 3TB
Adult Savate Beginners Sessions – 2024
Now recruiting new members. Train for the Fun of it, or for improved Fitness & Conditioning, to Compete (if that prospect takes your fancy), or simply to make New Friends. An Adult Beginners 3 session trial in Savate is just £10.
These sessions are designed for adult beginners, and will introduce the skills in a safe and fun environment. You must be at least 14 years old to join.
Days & times : Mondays and/or Wednesdays, from 7.00 – 8.00pm
Venue: St Bede’s Sports Hall & Gym
Birdwood Road
Cambridge
CB1 3TB
Happy New Year 2024 !
Just a few days to go before we are back in action at CAMA
Book your place for Thursday 4th January’s sessions now:
Kids, aged 7 – 12yrs, Savate Boxe & Eskrima from 6.30-7.30pm
Adults & Youths (13yrs+), Eskrima-Kali-Silat, from 7 – 8pm, & Focus Mitts from 8 – 8.45pm
Alternatively, Adults and Youths, Canne de Combat session, from 7.30-8.45pm
Adult Classes : New members 2024
New members are always welcome at the Academy whether complete beginners or experienced martial artists. There are many reasons why people begin training in martial arts: to improve fitness, an interest in self-defence, to try something new or meet new people? Some want to enter competitions and/or test for higher ranks in a system. We will be pleased to welcome you for any of these reasons.
The Academy offers a three session trial so you can find out more about our classes. You can see our class schedule on the Timetable in the “Joining the Academy” menu. You will train with qualified and experienced instructors, keen to help you learn and improve your fitness and self-confidence.
You must contact us in advance to register. Use our contact form, which you can find in the “About Us” menu. Or call Ollie for further information – phone 077 09 814 422
Jacob and Anna in the World Combat Games
CAMA members Jacob WEST and Anna MÄKINEN recently participated in the World Combat Games, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Only Combat Sports that are recognised by Sport Accord in Switzerland – considered to be part of the Olympic Family of sports – can join the Games.
The 2023 Games involved sixteen (16) different Combat Sports. Our Combat Sports of Savate and Canne de Combat took place from Saturday 28th to Monday 30th October.
Jacob representing Great Britain and Cambridge Academy of Martial Arts took a silver medal in the mixed team Canne de Combat. Anna representing Finland and Cambridge Academy of Martial Arts took a bronze medal in the individual womens Canne de Combat.
Junior classes : Savate Tiger Cubs 7 to 12 years
The Academy has a safe and fun kickboxing & martial arts programme for children aged from 7 to 12 years. As a Savate Tiger Cub, you will learn effective hand strikes, kicks and defensive skills. You will train with qualified and experienced instructors, keen to help you learn. We offer a three session trial so you can find out more about our classes. If you want to improve fitness and self-confidence, this is for you!
Classes run from 6.30pm to 7.30pm on Monday and Thursday evenings, throughout the year, including school holidays. Beginners can start any Monday or Thursday evening and are always welcome!
You must contact us in advance to register.
Use our contact form, which you can find in the “About Us” menu.
Or call Ollie for further information – phone 077 09 814 422
Venue: The Sports Hall, St Bede’s School, Birdwood Road, Cambridge
For a map of the area, click here
Junior classes : Teens 13 to 17 years
The Academy has a kickboxing & martial arts programme for teens aged from 13 to 17 years. We offer a three session trial so you can find out more about our classes. You must contact us in advance to register.
You will learn effective hand strikes, kicks and defensive skills. You will train with qualified and experienced instructors, keen to help you learn and improve your fitness and self-confidence. As you progress, you will have the opportunity to test your skills in gradings or competition.
Classes run throughout the year, including school holidays. You can see our class schedule on the Timetable in the “Joining the Academy” menu.
Venue: St Bede’s School, Birdwood Road, Cambridge
For a map of the area, click here
You will train with qualified and experienced instructors, keen to help you learn and improve your fitness and self-confidence. You must contact us in advance to register. Use our contact form, which you can find in the “About Us” menu. Or call Ollie for further information – phone 077 09 814 422
Contact Ollie for further information – phone Cambridge 565020
Or email: ollie.cama @ gmail.com
Introduction to Integrated Fighting Arts – Tuesday 5th September 2023
Taking Bookings Now for an Introduction to Integrated Fighting Arts
Get fit and increase your confidence at the same time!
The Integrated Fighting Arts system combines some of the best techniques for striking, trapping and grappling.
Continue reading “Introduction to Integrated Fighting Arts – Tuesday 5th September 2023”
Class Timetable February 2024
Cambridge Academy Classes from February 2024
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 – 8.00pm | Adults & Teens | Savate – technique and conditioning – Suitable for ALL Levels of fitness and ability |
8.00 – 9.00pm | Adults & Teens | Savate Advancement – technique, conditioning and sparring – intermediate level and above |
7.00 – 8.00 / 8.00 – 9.00pm | Adults & Teens | Canne de Combat including technique, conditioning and sparring |
Tuesday | St Bede’s School Gymnasium, Birdwood Road, CB1 3TB | |
7.00-8.00pm | Adults & Teens | Filipino Martial Arts – emphasising Doce Pares Eskrima system |
8.00-9.00pm | Adults & Teens | Kali & Integrated Fighting Arts – Empty Hands Cross Training, incl. Hubud, Joint Locks, Holds & Counters. |
Wednesday | St Bede’s School Gymnasium, Birdwood Road, CB1 3TB | |
7.00 – 8.00pm | Adults & Teens | Savate – technique and conditioning – Suitable for ALL Levels of fitness and ability |
8.00 – 9.00pm | Adults & Teens | Savate Advancement (by invitation only ) |
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 | FMA Weaponry Stick & Knife training ( by invitation only ) |
8.00 – 9.00pm | Adults & Teens | Focus Mitt Workout for All Levels & Abilities. An essential session for everyone. |
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.