Empower Academy

🚨 **More Classes. Same Quality Coaching.** 🚨

I am incredibly grateful for the continued growth of Empower Academy. The support from our amazing students and families has been phenomenal, and because of that, we're making some exciting changes!

From next term, our **Monday timetable is expanding** with an additional Minis class to accommodate the increasing demand.

One thing I will never compromise on is the quality of coaching. By keeping class sizes smaller, every student receives more individual attention, better coaching, and the best possible learning experience.

And we're not stopping there... 👀

**Watch this space!** More classes and exciting announcements are coming soon as Empower Academy continues to grow.

📧 Keep an eye on your **emails**.
📱 Check your **WhatsApp** groups.
📲 Follow our **Facebook** page for the latest updates.

Thank you for being part of the Empower Academy whānau. We can't wait for another fantastic term of learning, growing and kicking goals together! 👊🔥

Another great 1:1 session with Tommy today 👊

This incredible young man has turned up week after week for the last couple of years, putting in the work and continuing to grow.

When we started training together, he was a head shorter than me... now he towers over me and is so strong! 😂 But the biggest growth has been in the young man and the amazing kickboxer he is becoming, and I couldn't be prouder.

It isn't always easy. Some skills take longer than others. Some sessions are frustrating and some days you have to work harder than you thought you could.

But Tommy keeps turning up.

If something doesn't come easily, he works at it. He practises. He listens. He tries again.

And that is where results come from.

**Take action every day. Keep showing up. Keep doing the work. The results WILL come.** 👊🔥

Proud of you, Tommy. Keep going—you've come a long way, and you're only getting started.

📣 Exciting Changes Coming Next Term! 📣

As many of you know, Empower Academy has been growing rapidly, and I am incredibly grateful for the support of our amazing students and families.

One thing that has always been important to me is maintaining the quality of the experience for every student. Smaller class sizes allow me to provide more individual coaching, better feedback, and ensure every student gets the attention they deserve.

Because of the Academy's continued growth, there will be some changes to our timetable next term to accommodate additional classes and create more space across our programmes.

I believe this will help us continue delivering the high-quality training environment that makes Empower Academy special.

I'll be sharing full details very soon, so keep an eye on your emails, WhatsApp groups, and social media channels for updates.

Thank you for being part of the Empower Academy whānau. The future is looking exciting! 👊🔥

Tara Ma'am

# # Our First Empower Academy Junior Black Belt

There are moments as an instructor that remind you exactly why you do what you do. Watching **Alexander Roehricht** achieve his Junior Black Belt is one of those moments.

Alexander has trained at Empower Academy for over three years, and throughout that journey he has consistently demonstrated what it truly means to be a martial artist. While he possesses natural athletic ability and impressive technical skill, it is his character that sets him apart.

From the day he first stepped onto the mats, Alexander has shown unwavering determination, resilience, respect, and integrity. He has embraced every challenge, pushed through every obstacle, and continued to grow not only as a kickboxer but as a young leader.

A Black Belt is never just about punches, kicks, or grading results. It represents years of commitment, discipline, and personal growth. Alexander has earned every bit of this achievement through hard work, consistency, and a willingness to learn.

What makes me most proud is the way he supports those around him. Whether encouraging a nervous beginner, helping a teammate improve their technique, or leading by example through his attitude and work ethic, Alexander embodies the values we strive to teach at Empower Academy.

As our **first Empower Academy-born Junior Black Belt**, Alexander has created a piece of Academy history. He has set the standard for those who follow and shown our younger students what is possible when effort, perseverance, and belief in yourself come together.

Alexander, this Black Belt is not the end of your journey—it is the beginning of the next chapter. I could not be prouder of the young man you have become, and I am honoured to have been part of your journey.

**Congratulations, Master Alexander Roehricht. Your Empower Academy family is incredibly proud of you. 🥋👊**

🥋 GRADING SUCCESS 🥋

What a day! 👊

I had the privilege of watching so many Empower Academy students step onto the floor, give it their all, and achieve their next belt.

As an instructor, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing the hard work, commitment and determination that has been put in over the past few months come together on grading day.

Every belt earned today represents hours of training, countless repetitions, perseverance through challenges, and the courage to keep showing up and improving.

I am incredibly proud of every single student who graded. Not just because of the belts they achieved, but because of the effort, attitude and resilience they demonstrated along the way.

The standard of kickboxing on display was outstanding, but even more impressive was the respect, support and encouragement shown towards one another throughout the day.

I was also incredibly humbled by the support shown throughout the day by students who aren't actively training at the moment but are still very much part of the Empower Academy whānau.

It was equally inspiring to see students who had already completed their grading stay on to support, encourage and help their peers. Nobody was told to do it—they simply chose to.

That speaks volumes about the culture we are building together.

Empower Academy, you make me incredibly proud. It's not just the kickboxing standards that impress me, it's the respect, kindness, teamwork and support you show one another every step of the way. 👊❤️

Congratulations to everyone who achieved their next belt. Enjoy the moment, celebrate your success, and then get ready...

The journey continues. 💥

Ngā mihi

Tara 👊

Great kickboxers aren't born — they're built. 👊

At Empower Academy, excellence comes from showing up, putting in the work, and striving to improve every single session.

Through consistent training, discipline, focus and resilience, our students are developing into skilled kickboxers and confident individuals both on and off the floor.

We're incredibly proud of the standards our students continue to set and the progress they make every week.

One session at a time. One belt at a time. One goal at a time. 💥

GRADING DAY IS HERE

SUNDAY 24th MAY 2026

This is your chance to step up, trust your training, and show how far you’ve come 👊

Remember — grading isn’t about being perfect.
It’s about courage, effort, discipline, and heart.

Every session you showed up to…
every drill and combo you repeated…
every time you pushed through when it got tough…

THAT is what got you here.

Now it’s time to back yourself.

I believe in every single one of you and I’m incredibly proud of the mahi that’s been put in leading up to this grading.

Take a deep breath.
Trust your training.
GO FOR IT.

You’ve got this.

THIS IS GOING TO BE EPIC

Ngā mihi
Ms Ruff 👊