Collage pic of the last 2 years at STMA Academy Reading
Coach Dan Eden & Adult Muay Thai Team
TWO YEARS OF SUCCESS AT STMA-READING
STMA Academy Reading owner Dan Eden shares his thanks and his thoughts on our second birthday
On November 1st STMA Academy Reading turns two years old. What a rollercoaster it has been!
In just 24 months we’ve created an incredible facility full of state-of-the art fighting equipment. Together we’ve come through Covid, raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity, beaten our opponents, licked our wounds and celebrated our successes.
It’s no exaggeration to say blood, sweat and tears have made STMA Academy Reading what it is today.
Much more than that, we’ve created a community. One in which everyone is encouraged to try their hardest, face their fears, and become the best possible version of themselves.
I’m so proud of that community. It is larger than I could have hoped for by this stage — we now have 210 active members, all benefitting from and contributing to the club.
And as it’s our birthday, I thought I’d reflect and share some of the things that make me most proud about STMA-Reading:
Our impact
We’re transforming lives. Whether it’s a child that’s been bullied, an adult struggling with anxiety or a bereaved family member raising money for a good cause in their relative’s memory, we’ve been there, and we’ve helped.
Some of our Junior Muay Thai Fight Team
Syzmon Szalewicz with his medals
Oliver Szalewicz winning a Muay Thai fight on the 21st Century Fight Championship
Jimmy Stevenson winning a Muay Thai fight on the 21st Century Fight Championship
Some of our Junior Muay Thai Fight Team
Our team
We’ve built an unrivalled team of coaches across disciplines; from former world-champions in K1 Kickboxing/Muay Thai to highly experienced boxing coaches to an incredible group of MMA and BJJ gurus. There’s too many to mention here, but I love and admire each of our coaches, and value everything they’ve brought to our club and members.
STMA Academy Reading Fight Team
Our environment
We’ve now spent just shy of £200,000 on state-of-the-art facilities and equipment. We’ve recently added a toilet/changing room and shower block, which sits alongside a best-in-class gym containing two sizable rings, high-end punching bags, weights, high quality protection pads, fantastic fitness equipment, branded merchandise, drinks, and a motivating stereo system and speakers. We’ve not skimped anywhere — we’ve invested everything back into the club to give our members a superior experience at every turn.
STMA Academy Reading – Area 1
STMA Academy Reading – Area 2 (Ring)
STMA Academy Reading – Area 3 (MMA Cage)
STMA Academy Reading – New Toilet/Changing Room/Shower Block
STMA Academy Reading – Some of our Pads/Equipment
Our reputation
In two years we’ve earned a reputation as a fearsome fighting force. Julian Polk is the man to beat in local white collar light heavyweight boxing as he defends his title next month on the Tank Promotions show. Other senior boxers like Michael Simon have set incredible examples as they prepare for bouts. Our junior Muay Thai fighters have shown their fearlessness on multiple occasions winning decision bouts on local shows. In fact, across eight interclub events, seven gradings and eight Ultra White-Collar Boxing charity boxing shows we’ve shown we’re a match for anyone in any discipline.
Some of our boxing Coaches Dan Stevenson/Tommy Johnson/Dan Eden/Julian Polk
England Boxing Team
Boxing Coach Graham Coker & Ol’Man Boxing Society Team
Julian Polk (Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion)
Michael Simon on the pads preparing for his upcoming title Fight
Cameron Pridham (6.0) White Collar Boxing
Alex Kamara – ‘Winner ‘ White Collar Boxing
Doug Shaw ‘Winner’ White Collar Boxing
UWCB (Ultra White-Collar Boxing) Season 8
Our future
We’re going to get bigger and better. I have exciting plans for the gym (including a six thousand square foot expansion) which I’ll share in due course. Already we’ve attracted the likes of 8x World Champion/One Championship Fighter Liam Harrison/UFC legend Brad ‘One Punch’ Pickett & current UFC fighter Nathaniel ‘The Prospect’ Wood as well as former Pro Muay Thai fighter (Max Muay Thai) Sam Gough to give seminars — showing the extent of our ambition. Our objective is to become one of the most renowned martial arts and boxing clubs in the world. Together we can get there!
Dan Eden / Liam ‘The Hitman’ Harrison (8x World Champion/One Championship Fighter)/ Dan Stevenson – Muay Thai Seminar
Liam Harrison (8x World Champion/One Championship Fighter) and Andy Howson (5x World Champion) Muay Thai Seminar
UFC Legend Brad ‘One Punch’ Picket & current UFC fighter Nathaniel ‘The Prospect’ Wood MMA Seminar
Sam Gough (Former Ranked #1 in UK) Muay Thai Seminar
Thanks to all of you for your love and support. It’s got us this far, and it will take us further. Please stay tuned to our social media at https://www.instagram.com/stmaacademyreading/ for further announcements and events.
Dan