Archives March 2018

Our gyms will be closed on Monday 2nd April for Easter holiday.

We hope you all have an enjoyable weekend with friends and family.

In a break from tradition we celebrated our awards night, and the success of 2017 a the end of last month.  The event was held for the first time in West Lothian, at Livingston Football Stadium’s Almondvale Suite.  The night saw 250 students, parents, and family members come together for an evening of celebrations, starting with a drinks reception on arrival, and family photographs with Jason from Photography by Jason Kimmings, and an opportunity to mingle amongst company.

Before the evenings official presentation of awards we were treated to a beautiful 3 course meal, as well as entertainment from Magic Pete, who kept all our younger students, and those young at heart on their toes with some light hearted fun and games, as well as a magic trick or two!

After a short introduction from Mr. McIlvaney, it was down to Mrs McIlvaney and Mrs. Dickson to officially start the awards ceremony with the Students Choice Award Winners 2017, these were presented by Mr. John Munro.

We were honoured also to have Grand Master MacCallum as guest of honour, to present awards to the lucky recipients of Students of the Year 2017.

Next up were the competitor of the year awards presented by head coach; Mr. John McIlvaney.  These awards are based upon a points system, with each competitor receiving a point for entering a competition, and further points for each medal won (3 for gold, 2 for silver and 1 for bronze).

The final presentation of the evening saw certificate presentations for those who passed their black belt promotions this past year.  Presentations were made by Grand Master MacCallum to Mr. Angus Rhoney (1st Degree) and Mr. Kyle Gemmell (1st Degree).  Also to Mrs. Gillian McIlvaney (5th Degree).

As Mr. McIlvaney gave a closing speech and thanked everyone for their efforts throughout the year, and on the run up to the event.  A special thank you was given to Mrs. Lorna Singleton who organised this years event, and Mrs. Dickson for her efforts on the lead up to it, and on the evening also.  A small token of appreciation was gifted to Grand Master MacCallum on behalf of everyone at GMAC too.

But that wasn’t it, in a surprise ambush by the black belts, who secretly organised a gift as a special recognition of the effort that goes into GMAC by Mr. and Mrs. McIlvaney, and a last presentation of the evening a Quaich was gifted to both as a memento of this and the 10th anniversary of GMAC’s founding in 2007.

A final thank you to Stephen at The Funky Booth, for supplying the Photo Booth and props, as well as prints on the evening.

All that was left was to party and celebrate into the small hours of the evening.

Full list of award winners can be found below.

And all the photos from the evening, can be found on our Facebook page.  However a small selection have been published below.

We have updated our calendar of events, with more being added all the time.

Please check regularly for whats on, and coming up in the near future by clicking here.

GMAC will host the first of this years inter club competitions on Sunday 25th March.  Our inter club event is a series of three competitions we hold over the course of the year.  These competitions focus on developing our junior students, and giving them a head start in competition, in a safe and friendly environment.  The competition is split into four different age categories;  4 – 6 years, 7 – 8 years, 9 – 10 years and 11 – 13 years, with further splits for grade and height, ensuring each student is given the best opportunity to learn and gain confidence in their own abilities and further their development.

Closing date for entries is Tuesday 20th March.  A full time table will be available after the closing date.

GMAC Competition Entry Form

We had our first of two annual black belt grading’s on Saturday 3rd March at our Livingston gym.  Luckily the recent snow subsided and the grading was able to go ahead as planned.  First up was a written exam, with both candidates being given 1 hour in which to complete.  The second part was the practical test, a two hour test of their technical knowledge and ability of patterns, step sparring, self-defence and kicking, culminating in a series of board breaks using both hand and foot techniques.

We are very please to congratulate Mr. John Melrose on his promotion to 1st degree, and Mr. Colin Cupples on his promotion to 2nd Degree.

Combative Single Stick seminar at GMac Martial Arts in Livingston, 24th March 2018, 11.30am – 3.30pm.  

The stick is one of mans oldest & most versitile weapons. 

On this seminar I’ll be teaching a toolbox of techniques & drills that could be applied in self defence with many different objects, & that will help to enhance your martial arts training, even if you have no prior stick training.

All are welcome, contact us here to book.

The ITF Scottish Championships were held over the weekend of 17th / 18th February at Ravenscraig Regional Sports Facility in Motherwell.  With 54 competitors from GMAC taking part, over the two days.

First up on the Saturday were our Junior competitors, those 13 years and under.  We got off to a great start with a one-two placing in the first category of the day, with a trend being set for the rest of the weekend ahead.

Jakub Krug who was competing in the 7 years and under category, had a great competition, placing first in his age category, winning the title of Best Competitor Male 7 years & Under 2018, with 2 Gold and 1 Silver medal.

Jakub Krug: Best Overall Competitor 2018. Male 7 years & under

Pictured receiving his trophy from Grand Master MacCallum, when he came along on Sunday to also support his team mates.

Sunday saw the turn of our teens & adult competitors, who followed the lead set by our junior members, the previous day.

Results from the competition saw GMAC take home 27 Gold, 25 Silver and 23 Bronze medals.  And Best Overall Club.

What a truly great effort and achievement by everyone involved!

A full list of results can be downloaded here:

SC095SS – GMAC Martial Arts_Scottish 2018 Results

On the 24th Feb our Uddingston Gyms Boxing Team, travelled through to Penicuik, Edinburgh to fight for the UBBF Semi Pro European Boxing Title.

First up we had Daniel Baird fighting at 60kg and given it was only his second fight he went out there and stopped the lad in the first round with a great body shot. The night was off to a great start.  Next up was Scott Furley fighting at 74kg, sadly Scott’s fight was scored a Technical Draw due to a cut in the opening seconds of round two. The two lads came together in the corner clashing heads opening a inch long cut above Scott’s right eye. Doctors stopped the fight for safety reasons.

Next up was the big one, Andy McKenzie taking on Stu Campbell from Dundee for the Vacant UBBF European Semi Pro Boxing Title.  Andy fought very well from round 1 to 5 and got the decision, winning every round on all judges score cards!

We had only went and done it….. Andy was crowned champion and picked up a stunning European title strap.

See picture above, Mr Dickson was happier than Andy by looks of things!