History
My name is John Atkin I first started training at the age of 13, my first passion was Ninjutsu. I trained not only all over England, but also in Ireland and Japan, I got my 1st Dan in 1990 and have never looked back, I am now a 9th Dan and I am still learning new things every day.
I started teaching at the age of 18 in schools and church halls, but always dreamt of opening my own gym. This became a reality when in 1993 I signed a lease and was on my way.
Rye Hill 90-93
I suppose this is the first place to start, I was teaching Ninjutsu and was under the instruction of Brian McCarthy. I taught at Rye Hill for 3 Years until I had enough money for a place of my own. My students followed me and I still have some of the same students with me today (they must be as mad as me).
To attend seminars we travelled the length and breadth of the British Isles and overseas. As the gym always had a large attendance at normal classes and seminars it became a standard joke of “Here comes the cavalry “(this joke still remains to this day)
BBD (Bunjinkan Brian Dojo) 93-98
My first gym was at the Gallowgate in Newcastle, I had this gym for 5 years and unfortunately had to move (not by choice). I will never forget this gym, I have a lot of great memories as I made a long list of lasting friendships.
At this time I taught Ninjutsu, Grappling, Weapons, Self Defence, Kick Boxing and Kids Classes. I also worked as a door supervisor in Tynemouth and Whitley Bay, this was when my training became reality and spent the next 13 years fine tuning.
Ninjutsu |
I was still with Brian and by now I was a 3rd Dan but my eyes were opened to other arts. |
Grappling Self defence |
I had always grappled but I started to look at different styles. After reading “Watch your back”, I wrote to the great Geoff Thompson and In 2000, at a book signing Geoff was doing in Newcastle, he surprisingly presented me with my 4th Dan in the British Combat Association. My friendship with Geoff and Sharon is still strong today and will remain so in the future. |
Kick Boxing |
As part of my training with Brian we regularly kick boxed, sparred, gloved and non-gloved. At this time I was a 3rd Dan and I continued to train both with Brian and other instructors and developed more by teaching my own classes. I had the privilege of meeting the legendary John Dawson (don’t get a big head John) who I still train with today (bad penny). |
Weapons |
As part of Ninjutsu all traditional Japanese weaponry is taught. With the help of Norman “Cobra” Smithers I developed knife Awareness and firearms skills. Also at this time I discovered the fun of stick fighting, as well as stick grappling (it’s gotta hurt). |
Children’s Classes |
I decided to mix all the knowledge I had learned over the years |
Round 3
The A.F.C. Is Born
A.F.C (Advanced Fighting Centre) 99-00
In 1999 I moved to a new gym (still not my choice). At this time in my life I left the BBD and found a rebirth for Ninjutsu under the renowned Keith Porter (Thank You for putting the real back in Ninjutsu). So I had a new gym, and new instructor so what better time to rename myself, so the ADVANCED FIGHTING CENTRE was opened and raring to go!
This journey took us to The Bigg Market (the entertainment centre of Newcastle) this is where the A.F.C was born and was opened by the former world champion Thai boxer Ronnie Green.
At this time I started teaching Kick & Thai boxing at the University of Newcastle where I am still a resident coach to this day.
Also along the way I started to teach professionals which included:-
Police
CID
Prison Officers
Door Supervisors
Ministry Of Defence
North Tyneside Council
Like I said before everyone is welcome! (Only joking).
By this time my other interests expanded to Mixed Martial Arts and I wanted the world to know I could offer a lot more.
I thought that advanced fighting was the way to go so that everyone knew that you could learn more than just one art and you could mix them together. We never really settled in this gym (by we I mean me) and decided to move again luckily just around the corner, this was in 2000.
A.F.C
2nd Floor, 10 High Bridge Street, Newcastle, NE1 1EN
This gym is in the heart of Newcastle (and in me) we have a lot of very good students, instructors and visitors who have come to play. I also have had the opportunity to train in America with the Machado’s and other great instructors.
Since being here for eight years my life has changed in more ways than one. The A.F.C is family run by my wife, niece and myself (my 2 daughters run riot).
Along with us for the ride are
9 of the best instructors you will find in the North East
20+ black belts (for back up)
And a long list (to long to name) of students ranging from 10th kyu - 1st kyu
The gym is home to a lot of people and I would say we have the best Instructors around, the youngest being 13 the oldest being 47 (luckily I’m not the oldest).So if you want to come along and see what we are about then
Come and play
Thank you
John-Robert Atkin
