A new martial arts club has just been launched in north Gloucestershire.

SAGA - Striking and Grappling Academy - has been founded by Rob Thornton, who has lived in Bishop's Cleeve for the past six or seven years.

The new club has taken on a comprehensive approach to martial arts.

Its core curriculum focuses on karate, but students will also learn techniques from judo, jiu-jitsu and kickboxing, which should ensure a well-rounded martial arts education.

The club is initially being aimed at youngsters aged eight to 16 but Thornton is hoping to be able to accommodate adults in the new year.

And the 38-year-old, who was first introduced to martial arts more than 20 years ago in his home town of Northampton, is certainly excited by his new project.

“In the past I’ve taught karate and kickboxing but in the last 18 months I’ve I’ve also been learning Kudo, which is a Japanese MMA,” Thornton told The Local Answer.

“I’ve already got a waiting list for adults who want to join the club and I will be teaching them combat karate.

“The juniors will also be taught combat karate but their syllabus is slightly different, it has less grappling.”

Thornton, who is a self-employed multi-trader, is hoping to have some 20 to 30 youngsters at his club by Christmas.

The juniors meet twice a week for an hour from 6pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Southam Village Hall and Thornton continued: “The more people in the room the better.

“I get a buzz out of that, the room is electric.”

Thornton has competed in judo in the past and plans to compete in Kudo, so he knows about the many benefits that come with doing martial arts.

“Besides the physical activity, it offers the chance to work as part of a group and in one-to-one situations, they’ll learn how to fight competitively,” he said.

“Some of the things that they learn will last them for life, there are so many transferable skills, it’s a sport that helps people to build confidence.”

And Thornton hopes his new club will benefit the village as a whole.

“As a community-focused initiative, SAGA is committed to making a positive impact in Bishop’s Cleeve and the surrounding areas,” he said.

“With affordable pricing, expert instruction and inclusive policies, the academy aims to become a cornerstone of youth development in the region.”

SAGA’s two one-hour sessions a week will cost £25 a month.

For more information, visit strikingandgrappling.com