New Zealand Council of Kali Eskrima Arnis Instructors (NZCKEAI) is formed
The NZCKEAI has molded itself on the British equivalent, the BCKEA and has been formed to unite NZ instructors & schools of Filipino martial arts to help bring the correct information and promote the art of the Philippines in a non political, non fee paying, unified organization. The NZCKEAI is registered as a non-profit organization.
The NZCKEAI is made up of qualified, authentic instructors in the Filipino martial arts who can trace their linage back to the Masters and Grand Masters of the arts in the Philippines. All instructors are bona-fide representatives of the native Filipino martial arts styles and teach those methods as they are taught by the Masters and Grand Masters in the Philippines.
The council is made up of the following Instructors:
- Lee Mackie (President)
- Leigh Jenkins (Vice President)
- Sailor Epiha (Public Relations)
- Clinton Jones (Secretary)
- Danny Brown (Treasurer)
- Riki Mitchell (Marketing)
- Herman Sakaria (member)
- Michael Ahearn (member)
- Grant Boath (member)
- Jarrod Redwood (member)
- Damien Halforty (member)
As a result of the meeting it was agreed the preservation, growth and promotion of authentic Filipino martial arts is the main goal of the Council. Further to develop the arts of Kali, Eskrima, and Arnis as a recognized sport within New Zealand and to do so foster a strong network of Filipino martial arts schools, clubs and organizations working together throughout New Zealand to achieve these goals.
The first South Island and North Island Inter-Club sparring will take place during 2007 and it is the intention of the council to hold the first national Filipino Martial Arts Sport Stickfighting competition and titles in 2008.
In the coming weeks the official website of the NZCKEAI will be launched.
