Kickboxing GB

This will take place on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th July 2026 at the fantastic Lilleshall National Sports Centre, near Newport, Shropshire, TF10 9AT.

For those who have not been before, Lilleshall House is a stunning 19th-century stately home set within 200 acres of English Heritage Grade II listed grounds in the beautiful Shropshire countryside.

The camp will be led by our world-renowned National GB Coaches and will include high-level training across the disciplines, alongside lectures and development sessions taking place throughout the weekend.

There may also be Senior Team fight-offs taking place, where required.

This camp is open to all athletes from across Great Britain. However, it is imperative that selected GB Team members attend, as this forms an important part of preparation for the upcoming international championships.

Weekend Camp Details

Date: Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th July 2026
Venue: Lilleshall National Sports Centre, TF10 9AT
Doors Open: Saturday at 8:00am
Training Starts: 9:00am
Cost: £150.00 for the weekend
Booking Deadline: Thursday 16th July 2026

Please email [email protected] to book
Please note that the timings shown on the booking form may be subject to slight changes.

Accommodation is available at Lilleshall, but rooms do get booked up quickly. To check availability, please call +44 (0)1952 603003.

Alternatively, there are several hotels located close to the venue.

We are really looking forward to seeing everyone there for what promises to be a fantastic weekend of training, learning, and team preparation.

☀️ HOT WEATHER GUIDANCE FOR KICKBOXING GB CLUBS ☀️
With temperatures soaring across the UK this week, the welfare of our athletes, coaches and officials must come first.

🥤 Ensure all participants have access to water and take regular hydration breaks.
🥵 Reduce training intensity where necessary. Consider shorter sessions, more rest periods, and a greater focus on technical work rather than high-intensity conditioning.
🌬️ Maximise ventilation by opening doors and windows and using fans where possible.
🕒 Avoid training during the hottest part of the day and consider moving sessions to cooler morning or evening periods.
👊 Coaches should carefully monitor athletes for signs of heat exhaustion, including dizziness, headaches, nausea, excessive sweating and fatigue.
🚨 If an athlete becomes confused, collapses, loses consciousness or shows signs of heat stroke, call 999 immediately.
Remember: No athlete will lose standing within the Kickboxing GB pathway because a coach makes sensible decisions to protect their health and welfare.
✅ Train smart.
✅ Stay hydrated.
✅ Put athlete welfare first.

Kickboxing GB – Hot Weather Guidance for Clubs and Coaches

With temperatures across parts of the UK forecast to reach exceptionally high levels this week, including rare Red and Amber Heat Health Alerts issued by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), all Kickboxing GB clubs are asked to take additional precautions to protect athletes, coaches, officials and spectators.

Combat sports training presents unique challenges during periods of extreme heat due to the combination of physical exertion, protective equipment, crowded training environments and the potential for dehydration.

Key Principles
1. Hydration is Non-Negotiable

All participants should:

Arrive already hydrated.
Bring a clearly labelled water bottle.
Be encouraged to drink before, during and after training.
Take regular hydration breaks throughout the session.
Avoid excessive caffeine and energy drinks before training.

Coaches should schedule water breaks every 15–20 minutes during strenuous activity.

2. Modify Training Intensity

During periods of extreme heat:

Reduce overall training intensity and volume.

Consider:

Shorter sessions.
More frequent rest periods.
Reduced conditioning circuits.
Reduced sparring rounds.
Lower training density.
More technical and tactical work.

UKHSA advises limiting strenuous physical activity during the hottest periods of the day and moving exercise to cooler times where possible.

3. Consider Session Timing

Where possible:

Schedule classes earlier in the morning or later in the evening.
Avoid the hottest part of the day (typically 11am–3pm).
Consider postponing outdoor activities entirely.

Children should not undertake strenuous physical activity during very hot weather.

4. Improve Ventilation

Clubs should:

Open doors and windows where safe.
Use fans to improve airflow.
Keep shutters, blinds or curtains closed during the day if sunlight significantly heats the facility.
Avoid overcrowding training areas.

Remember that many martial arts venues can become substantially hotter than the outside temperature.

5. Adapt Equipment Requirements

Coaches should consider:

Removing unnecessary layers of clothing.
Allowing lighter training attire.
Reducing time spent wearing protective equipment where appropriate.
Increasing rest periods when headguards, body armour or other equipment is required.
6. Monitor Athletes Closely

Pay particular attention to:

Children and young people.
Athletes returning from illness.
Those with asthma or cardiovascular conditions.
Participants taking medication that may affect hydration.
Individuals attempting weight management or weight cutting.

No athlete should be attempting rapid weight loss during extreme heat conditions.

Recognising Heat Illness
Early Signs of Heat Exhaustion
Excessive sweating
Dizziness
Headache
Nausea
Fatigue
Muscle cramps
Weakness
Pale or clammy skin
Immediate Actions
Stop activity immediately.
Move the individual to a cool area.
Remove excess clothing or equipment.
Provide cool fluids if conscious.
Apply cool wet towels or cold packs.
Monitor closely.
Heat Stroke – Medical Emergency

Call 999 immediately if someone:

Becomes confused or disoriented.
Collapses.
Loses consciousness.
Stops sweating despite being extremely hot.
Has a very high body temperature.
Has a seizure.

Heat stroke can develop rapidly and is a life-threatening emergency.

Sparring and Competition Training

Clubs should carefully consider:

Reducing contact intensity.
Reducing sparring volume.
Increasing recovery periods between rounds.
Stopping sessions immediately if multiple athletes show signs of heat stress.

The objective during extreme weather is athlete safety, not fitness gains.

Coach Checklist Before Every Session

✓ Is the venue adequately ventilated?

✓ Do athletes have access to water?

✓ Has training intensity been adjusted?

✓ Have additional rest breaks been built in?

✓ Is a first aider present?

✓ Does everyone know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke?

✓ Is there a plan to stop or modify training if conditions worsen?

Kickboxing GB Position

The welfare of participants must always take priority over planned training activity. Coaches are encouraged to use professional judgement and, where necessary, modify, shorten or cancel sessions if environmental conditions create an unacceptable risk.

No athlete will lose standing within the Kickboxing GB pathway because a coach takes sensible action to protect their health and welfare during periods of extreme heat.

"Train smart, stay hydrated, and put athlete welfare first."

Next Open Squad Training session for Ringsports this coming Sunday 1-4pm, All Welcome 👊🇬🇧

A huge congratulations to Wolfpack Martial Arts and Kode Red, who recently travelled to Ireland to compete at the Celtic Open.

Stepping onto the mats overseas takes commitment, courage and countless hours of preparation. Every athlete, coach and supporter involved should be proud of representing their clubs and showcasing the talent, determination and sportsmanship that defines British kickboxing.

International events like these provide invaluable experience, helping athletes test themselves against new opponents, learn, grow and continue their development on the pathway to future success.

Well done to everyone involved from both teams. Your hard work, dedication and passion for the sport continue to inspire the next generation of kickboxers.

Good luck to Dominic Marsh, the sole representative for GB Ringsports at the European cup in Poland 👊🇬🇧

KICKBOXING GB – TATAMI SQUAD TRAINING

ROAD TO JESOLO 2026

Open to all athletes.

Join us for the next Kickboxing GB Tatami Squad Training session, with training available in both England and Scotland.

Disciplines:
• Point Fighting
• Light Contact
• Kick Light
• Forms

ENGLAND SQUAD TRAINING

Date: Sunday 7th June 2026
Time: 12pm – 3pm
Venue:
Tudor Grange Sports Centre
Blossomfield Road
Solihull
B91 1NB

SCOTLAND SQUAD TRAINING

Date: Sunday 7th June 2026
Time: 12pm – 3pm
Venue:
Simpson Pkwy, Kirkton Campus
Livingston Village
Livingston
EH54 7BH

One Team. One Goal. Kickboxing GB

What Are SARMs?

SARMs (Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators) are drugs designed to mimic some of the muscle-building effects of anabolic steroids. They were originally developed by pharmaceutical companies in the hope of treating conditions such as muscle wasting, osteoporosis, and age-related muscle loss.

In simple terms:

SARMs tell your body to build muscle and strength in a similar way to steroids, but they were marketed as being more targeted and having fewer side effects.

Examples include:

* Ostarine
* Ligandrol
* Andarine
* RAD-140

Despite claims online, none of these substances are approved as safe muscle-building supplements.

⸻

Why Are SARMs Prohibited in Sport?

SARMs are prohibited by World Anti-Doping Agency because they can:

* Increase muscle mass
* Increase strength and power
* Improve recovery from training
* Potentially allow athletes to train harder and more frequently

These effects can provide an unfair advantage over athletes who train and compete clean.

For kickboxing, where speed, power, strength, recovery and weight management are critical, SARMs can directly enhance performance.

⸻

The Biggest Risk: Athletes Often Don’t Realise They’ve Taken Them

Many anti-doping cases do not involve athletes deliberately trying to cheat.

A common scenario is:

Example 1: The Gym Supplement

A kickboxer buys a “natural muscle-building” supplement online.

The label says:

* Testosterone booster
* Lean muscle formula
* Hardcore shred
* Strength matrix

What the athlete doesn’t know is that the product contains Ostarine or Ligandrol, even though it isn’t declared on the label.

The athlete is tested at a WAKO event.

The result comes back positive.

The athlete receives a ban.

The explanation:

“I didn’t know it was in the supplement.”

Unfortunately, under anti-doping rules, athletes are responsible for everything they put into their bodies.

⸻

Example 2: Advice from the Gym

A coach or training partner says:

“It’s not steroids. It’s just a SARM. Loads of people use them.”

The athlete takes a short cycle before a major championship.

Even if they only use it for a few weeks, SARMs can remain detectable for a long time.

A positive test can lead to:

* Suspension
* Loss of titles or medals
* Disqualification from Team GB selection
* Significant reputational damage

⸻

Example 3: Contaminated Fat Burners

An athlete is trying to make weight.

They buy a fat burner marketed online as:

* “Extreme shred”
* “Competition cut”
* “Rapid fat loss”

The product is contaminated with a prohibited substance, including a SARM.

The athlete has never knowingly taken a banned drug but still fails a doping test.

⸻

Common Myths

“They’re legal, so they must be allowed.”

False.

Many substances are legal to buy but are still banned in sport.

“They’re safer than steroids.”

Not necessarily.

SARMs can still cause:

* Hormonal disruption
* Reduced natural testosterone production
* Mood changes
* Liver issues
* Cardiovascular risks

Many products sold online have never undergone proper safety testing.

“I only used it in training, not competition.”

Anti-doping rules apply year-round for prohibited anabolic agents.

⸻

What Kickboxing GB Athletes Should Do

Before Taking Any Supplement

Ask:

1. Do I actually need it?
2. Is it batch tested?
3. Could it contain prohibited substances?

Use recognised testing programmes such as:

* Informed Sport

No supplement is completely risk-free, but batch-tested products significantly reduce the risk.

⸻

Key Message for Athletes and Coaches

If a supplement promises rapid muscle gain, dramatic fat loss, steroid-like results, or extraordinary strength increases, treat it as a red flag.

SARMs are prohibited because they can enhance performance and undermine fair competition. More importantly, many athletes who test positive never intended to cheat—they simply trusted the wrong supplement, website, coach, or social media influencer.

For Kickboxing GB athletes, the safest approach is:

Food first. Training second. Recovery third. Supplements only when genuinely needed and independently tested.

A single contaminated supplement can cost an athlete years of hard work and the opportunity to represent Great Britain on the international stage.