Words: Matt Scott, Instructor,
Portsmouth Muay Thai Boxing.

I was recently approached by Portsmouth City Council to see if we would be interested in participating in an upcoming event they were organising called Healthy Pompey, one big picnic, which was part of the government’s healthy living initiative and was to be a free event for the public to attend.

I was asked if the club would like to have a stand at the show, and also organise a demonstration including some audience interaction! Ever up for the challenge, we duly accepted and began preparations.

The club members were really keen to help and we soon had a little something sorted out which would showcase some of the many facets of Muay Thai culminating in a light hearted self defence sequence. The day itself was well attended with somewhere in the region of 10,000 people passing through the gates during the course of the day, partly down to the weather holding out!

Our gazebo had a constant stream of people asking questions and the students were a great help answering them and encouraging people to come along to the club and give it a try. The local radio station ‘Heart FM‘ were there to aid proceedings and talk with me and the other groups etc, when they had their turns in front of the crowds.

Our turn went better than I could have ever hoped and was great fun and well received by all, so much so that we over ran our time slot by 10 minutes. And we had so many people wanting to have a go we could have stayed on another 2 hours with lots of them seeking out the gazebo and requesting a go later on! It was made all the better as the whole day had a very relaxed, fun and family vibe so no one minded us staying that little longer than planned and the radio presenters from the Heart FM morning show were good fun too.

All in all it was a fantastic day, thoroughly enjoyed by everyone and I would like to thank all the students who helped me with the day and gave up their spare time to both practice and actually attend the day… they conducted themselves very well throughout and were a credit to the club.. well done!

Matt Scott.