Tiny Tigers
3 – 4 yrs – Movement and listening through play.
Jump to section →AGES 3 – 13
Kids Martial Arts Classes in Canberra
Confidence, discipline, and fun. Two locations: Woden and Coombs. From 14, they train in our adult classes.
3-WEEK TRIAL
Start with a 3-Week Trial
Three weeks, unlimited classes, at either club. Tiny Tigers (ages 3–4) $49. Tigers (ages 5–8) $59, standard uniform included. Youth (ages 9–15) $69, standard uniform included. From 14 they train in our adult classes, and from 16 the adult trial rate applies.
Kids Martial Arts Timetable
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Woden · Kids Martial Arts
Coombs
PRE-MARTIAL ARTS
Pre-Martial Arts – Ages 3 to 8
Tiny Tigers (3–4 yrs): forty-five minute sessions built around games, listening, and gross motor skills – the first step before formal classes. Tigers (5–8 yrs): their first belt, their first form, learning focus, respect, and the basics of Hapkido and Taekwondo.
✓
Tiny Tigers · 3–4 yrs
Games, listening, and gross motor skills. The first step before formal classes.
✓
Tigers · 5–8 yrs
Their first belt and first form. Focus, respect, and the basics of Hapkido and Taekwondo.
YOUTH
Youth Martial Arts – Ages 9 to 13
Youth Self Defence
Our Youth Hapkido class. Blocks, strikes, take-downs and joint locks, taught fun before serious. Kids don't realise how much they know until they walk into an adult class and hold their own.
Get Started HereSee the Journey
Youth Taekwondo
Kicking, patterns and sparring, with a belt to work towards from the first month. The most structured thing we offer, and the one that suits a child who likes knowing exactly what comes next.
Get Started HereSee the Journey
Epic Youth Brazilian JiuJitsu
Grappling, no striking, and a lot of problem-solving. It teaches kids to stay calm when someone is on top of them – a skill that turns out to be about far more than wrestling.
Get Started Here
Youth Kummooyeh
Yes, swords – foam ones to start. Patterns, sparring and control, and it produces focus in a child faster than anything else we teach.
Get Started HereSee the Journey
JUNIOR LEADERSHIP
Teens become teachers.
Our Junior Leadership Program trains 13–17yr olds into paid instructor assistants. They learn to coach, communicate, and carry themselves – skills no school timetable touches.
TWO CLUBS · EQUAL WELCOME
Find your home club
WEST
Coombs
Shop 1, 1 Fairhall St, Coombs ACT 2611
Mon–Fri 3pm–8.30pm · Sat 9am–12pm
Bring your kid for their first class.
Your first class is on us! No commitment. Just turn up.
Try a Class →YOUR JOURNEY
Youth Self Defence
12
ranks to Junior Black Belt
Every term
a grading, 4 a year
5–8 yrs
with dedicated training
The point is constant progression. Students are recognised for their effort as much as their skill, so there is always a next step in front of them.
You start here – White Belt
Where everyone begins. Tiger Belt (from our Tigers classes) is the same starting position – when Tigers age up into Youth, their stripes carry across and they continue from here.
Before your first class
- A T-shirt and tracksuit pants. We train barefoot on rubber mats.
Belt & Rank System
Beginner
Tiger stripes, then balance, falling safely, and the first techniques.
Tiger – 0 Stripes
Tiger – 2 Stripes
Yellow
Yellow/Orange
Orange/GreenIntermediate
It starts to join up – combinations, control, working with a partner.
Green
Blue
Blue/Brown
Blue/Brown
Brown
BrownAdvanced
Depth, leadership, and helping the students coming up behind you.
Red
Red
Red with White
Red with White
Red with Black
Red with Black
Black with White+ stripe – these belts have a stripe awarded at the midpoint. There is a lot to learn at this level, so progress is marked along the way.
Junior Black Belt, then the real beginning
The Junior Black Belt cannot be attempted before age 12, and takes up to 12 months from Black with White. From there the focus shifts to the adult classes and a full black belt around 15–16.
Moving across, we assess each student and place them at the matching adult rank. Nothing is lost in the change.
Junior Black Belt (12–15yrs)
10
ranks to Black Belt
4×
gradings a year
4–7 yrs
with dedicated training
Youth Taekwondo is built on kicking, forms and discipline. Every belt has a clear next step, so students always know what they are working towards.
You start here – White Belt (10th Kup 급)
Where everyone begins.
Before your first class
- A T-shirt and tracksuit pants. We train barefoot on rubber mats.
- Youth Taekwondo is for students aged 8 and up.
- There is no uniform to buy before you start. Come as you are for the first class.
Coming from another martial art
- If your child has trained in a different martial art they still start at white belt, but they may progress faster – the basic principles are similar across a number of martial arts.
- If they have trained at another taekwondo school, depending on how similar the techniques are, they may be assessed and given a rank above white belt.
How grading works
- Four gradings a year, usually in week 9 of each school term.
- Four to seven years to Black Belt with dedicated training, depending on the student's age.
Belt & Rank System
Beginner
Basic stances, foundational blocks, strikes and kicks, plus martial arts etiquette and discipline.
White – 9th Kup (급)
White – 9th Kup (급)
Yellow – 8th Kup (급)
Yellow with Green Tip – 7th Kup (급)Intermediate
Working with partners and in small groups, increasing flexibility and speed, learning more complex forms, and developing sparring combinations.
Green – 6th Kup (급)
Green with Blue Tip – 5th Kup (급)
Blue – 4th Kup (급)
Blue with Red Tip – 3rd Kup (급)Advanced
Refining techniques, advanced spinning and jumping kicks, self-defence applications, and basic teaching skills.
Red – 2nd Kup (급)
Red with Black Tip – 1st Kup (급)The white belt carries one then two yellow stripes at 9th Kup (급), marking progress before Yellow. From there, each full coloured belt moves to the next through a tipped belt.
Black Belt, then the adult program
Black Belt is our rank for junior black belts. From here, students learn advanced techniques before grading to 1st degree black belt and joining the adult program.
Black Belt
9
ranks to Black Belt
4×
gradings a year
4–7 yrs
with dedicated training
Korean sword for young students. Kummooyeh builds control, focus and respect – safety and etiquette come before anything else.
You start here – White Belt
Where everyone begins.
Before your first class
- A T-shirt and tracksuit pants. We train barefoot on rubber mats.
- Youth Kummooyeh is for students aged 9 and up.
- Swords are provided – there is nothing to buy before the first class.
Coming from another martial art
- If your child has trained in a different martial art they still start at white belt, but they may progress faster – the basic principles are similar across a number of martial arts.
How grading works
- Four gradings a year, roughly 12 weeks apart.
- Four to seven years to Black Belt with dedicated training, depending on the student's age.
Belt & Rank System
Beginner
Proper grip, body alignment and basic cuts, while learning blade safety and etiquette.
Yellow
GreenIntermediate
Improving footwork, cutting lines, distance and timing, and more complex patterns and set paired drills.
Blue
Purple
BrownAdvanced
Building blade control, improving free-sparring movement and intent, and taking a leadership role in Kids classes.
Red
Red with Black
Black with WhiteKummooyeh belts do not carry midpoint stripes – each grading moves a student to the next full belt.
Black Belt, then the adult program
Black Belt is our rank for junior black belts. From here, students learn advanced techniques and patterns before grading to 1st degree black belt and joining the adult program.
Black Belt
5–8
years old
1 stripe
at the end of each term
4 terms
a year
Tigers is where it starts. There are no belt ranks here – the work is learning to listen, take turns, fall safely and have a go. Progress is marked with stripes.
You start here – Tiger Belt
Every Tiger wears the same belt from day one. There is nothing to earn before you begin.
Before your first class
- A T-shirt and tracksuit pants. We train barefoot on rubber mats.
How progress works
The Tiger Belt
One belt, worn by every Tiger. A stripe is added at the end of each school term, recognising the term's work.
Tiger BeltA stripe is awarded at the end of each school term. Tigers do not grade for belts – the stripe marks the term's work.
Moving up to Youth Self Defence
At 9, Tigers move into the Youth program. The Tiger Belt is the same starting position as the Youth white belt, and stripes carry across – nothing is lost in the change.
- Youth Self Defence – White Belt
PARENTS
What parents tell us
“
I doubt there is a better place for kids to learn martial arts in Canberra. This place has it all, great lessons, fun and caring instructors, and a solid program of foundational learning that is incrementally build upon over time. Some places seem to rush kids through their belts but this place focuses on the kids really learning everything they need to before advancing. What's great is that they actually learn the skills along side a valuable life lesson…that good things are worth working for and that they take time. I've trained at a range of places over the years and had my daughter visit a couple of places too but this is without doubt the best one we've experienced in Canberra. Highly recommended.
Tim GParent“
We have recently migrated to Australia and were quite skeptical to get my kids started on with any classes, however we are really happy with the results my kids are loving the class. Tom & his team are very focused & have a great culture. They are professional and take great care of their method of teaching. They make sure kids are learning the right way. I definitely recommend them 😊
Farah UnwalaParent · Coombs“
Grandkids love their classes, teachers are patient and helpful. Highly recommend.
Rozalie YesbergGrandparent“
I signed my daughter up for a free trial - she loved it and the staff were super helpful with signing up for a continuous membership. The instructors are super knowledgeable and classes are well run, we are very happy with the centre.
Rhiannon MangosParent · Trial to Member“
We love going to Canberra Martial Arts and Fitness. Have been members for 5 years and wouldn't want to be anywhere else. Tom, Tam and the Team and always lovely and welcoming. I have always wanted to do swordfighting and Kumdo is my favourite class. My little girl loves Hapkido because she has a yellow belt. We homeschool and my little girl was literally climbing and bouncing off the walls and now she gets to let out some of that energy, make friends and have fun at the same time. Cannot recommend highly enough.
Emily MartinParent · 5 Year Member“
My son has only just joined CMA&F group at the end of last year and so far our experience has been incredible. From the weekly classes to the holiday program before Christmas we have been so impressed, not only by the teaching capacity of the teachers but their moral standpoint and how they teach not only MA but also life skills and perspective. On top of the wonderful teachers my son was welcomed with open arms by the other students who have taken him under their wings and made him feel at home.
Sammy TabrettParent