Our Story

Back on March 24th 2020, we as a country and indeed the world were pushed into an unforeseen pandemic via a national lockdown of businesses, and things as we knew them came to a shuddering halt.

The episode is obviously still on going at present with no end in sight. Indeed it looks as though we are about to enter another period of increased restriction relating to our now normal activities.

With schools, sports centres, gymnasiums, village halls, training venues told to close for several months this put pay to what were normal training classes operated everywhere. The Instructors had to evolve to keep things going.

For some this has been tough and hard work. Firstly we started using platforms such as Zoom to run classes in front rooms, bedrooms, sheds, back gardens, dining rooms and even bathrooms I seem to recall. I got used to a host of cats, dogs, rabbits and chickens joining the classes at times. Needless to say this became fun and an event to run classes.

Then with an easing of restrictions we were able to meet up in groups in open air spaces like parks and fields to exercise and train. This quickly became the new evolution of classes. Zoom is still happening on rainy days and darker evenings and currently in University accommodation, so this tool has become a great means for students whilst away to partake in classes of some sort.

The ‘In Da Park’ sessions were born and also the Family Sessions and the 1-2-1 sessions flourished and indeed are still popular and used widely today by my members.

Now back in February 2020 when things were ‘normal’ I heard a whisper about the up and coming worldwide issues, so me being me started to try and put a plan into operation. Yes way back then!

It started with investigating what private spaces would be available and looking and investigating. Nothing jumped out and gave me inspiration. I looked at lots of places. I took my vehicle into my local garage for a much needed service and MOT. It was there I noticed a relatively new building. I found out from people within the site that this place was going to be vacated soon by the current business. Without delay I enquired at the estate agent where this place was being advertised. Arranged an appointment only to be told the place had been snapped up already.

I was saddened by this but thought, “Oh well lets keep on looking”. Upon going to pick my vehicle up from the garage, I thought I would go and be nosey and have a peer through the windows of the unit.

Depressing myself still further I guess by thinking what I could have acquired for the business. Upon looking through, I was slightly embarrassed to see a face looking up at me. He was in a meeting of some sorts with a colleague.

The gentleman concerned, Neal came outside to see if I was casing the joint or just wondering what I was up to. I duly apologised for being nosey and explained what I was doing. This caused much laughter between him, his colleague and myself. Me being slightly cheeky and business minded suggested that if the proposed venture was to not happen that they consider me to take on the facility.

He asked me for a business card and I duly gave him a Tae Kwon-Do Birthday Card so it would be remembered and stand out in their minds, and at least give me half a chance if the existing deal did not happen. I genuinely did not think anything more about the discussions and the meeting but obviously remembered it as it was yet another humorous life story committed to my memory. I won’t bore you with more, but believe you me there are so many, I could write a book!

Then the above evolution as mentioned above happened, Zoom Video classes, Outdoor Pod training, 1 – 2 1 Sessions. Even the First Ever Digital Tae Kwon-Do Grading Under LOCKDOWN conditions happened with our schools back on the 13th June 2020. In July I received a phone call from an unrecognised number, upon answering the phone professionally as of course new customers call so answer in a professional manner. The conversation went a little like this:

“Hello Stephen, it’s Neal from the Unit in Ringwood.”
“Um… Hello Neal?”
“Do you remember our meeting and conversation back in February when I thought you had come to rob our place?”

It was then I put 2 and 2 together and realised who was calling me. “It would appear that owing to the pandemic we as a business are staying at our unit and pulling out of the deal to move our business on. We are however able to sub-let and have you guys in a space within the unit in the evenings and weekends.”

Without hesitation I said, “Yes that seems absolutely fine to me. When can I come and have a look and start planning things.”

The rest has rolled on to today and here we are The SlamaZone is now a functional training Dojang, complete with matting and TKD usage in the evenings and weekends.

The 2nd of September 2020 was the Opening for Black Belts. This was a fantastic opening night with a celebrity visitor coming down to open the venue for us. Mr Craig Revel-Horwood, yes the gentlemen from Strictly Come Dancing Fame, came down and joined in for around 20minutes, signed autographs and astounded the black belts as they did not know he was coming along. Students still ask me how I managed to get this young man to come along. It is one of those funny memory stories that I will tell you in my book! Watch this space… 🙂

The 9th of September was the opening night for our Coloured Belts and boy what an opening night this was. Another fantastic feat – unfortunately no special guest to open the event but never the less an extremely proud night to give to the coloured belts and black belts alike.

See you soon at the Slamazone!
Happy and safe training to you all.

International Instructor Master Lamberth
6th DAN Tae Kwon-Do Black Belt