History of the Club

In February 1997, several members of LMUSU bar staff and security staff finally persuaded Rob Cook (also on security) to teach them some self defence moves and martial arts techniques. Over time, more and more people began joining the sessions and before long the training was an actual Tai-Jutsu class run by the Students Union.

"For those who remember, we used to train in the old dojo at City Site where they had the fully matted floor, where the gym equipment is now", said Rob. "Classes were Ł1.50 back then, and we were there every Tuesday night, 8:00-9:30pm", so over the past 10 years, training fees have only increased by one pound!!!

The club began to grow and members began to enjoy the benefits such as courses all around the country, including the famous bi-annual Skegness trip. Club trips to Seni have also brought the Leeds Met Tai-Jutsu members together, if only to see how much just one person can spend on martial arts stuff! We've also attended various competitions, both nationally and internationally, and provide combat training for police officers, military personnel, and prison officers as well as Leeds Met students.

Over the years, a variety of characters have graced the Tai-Jutsu doors. To mention just a few... Nic, Fiona, Fire Doors, Paddy, Rocky, Disco Stu, Studley, Churchill, Caroline, Sonya, Tammie, Josh, Ash, Elly, Donkey, Geordie, Graeme, Tomi, OJ, Plum, Jai, Aaron, etc. (apologies for those missed, but we are limited on space) Please get back in touch with us, or come down and join us for a remembrance session.

Unfortunately, there have always been, and still are some individuals who choose to slander our club, its members and our instructor, in an attempt to benefit their own needs. Anyone who genuinely trains in the traditional martial arts, or who actually knows us will understand the importance of Budo and the respect that should be held within the Martial Arts world. Ten years on and we still steer away from petty Martial Arts politics. Anyone and everyone is welcome to train with us, and if you choose to train somewhere else, great! Enjoy what the arts can offer you.

Our club is still a student club, run by students for all students. Leeds Met students have often preferred competitive sports rather the martial arts, but for those who really enjoy training, we offer as much as we can. Our sensei believes that his sensei would have been very impressed by the commitment and dedication (sweat!!!) that the Leeds Met Tai-Jutsu students put into their training, as is he. Here's to the next ten years of the Leeds Met Tai-Jutsu club.