Inducted into the A.M.A.H.O.F.(Inc) for 2017
Lifetime Achievement – Kung Fu
Inducted into the W.K.U.H.O.F. for 2017
Lifetime Achievement – Kung Fu
Chris believes, every woman, man and child should be able to feel safe in their own homes, in relationships, on the street, at school and at work.
Some of his martial arts achievements include:
- Yi Quan Kung Fu Black Sash 1st Degree Completed 1979
- Shorinji Rhu Black Belt 1st Dan 1980
- Xing Yi Quan with Robyn Whitewood 1984
- Yi Quan Kung Fu recognised Shi Fu 1991
- Yi Kung Fu recognised Shi Gong 2014.
I never lose sight of the influence we have as a business, we mould boys into fine men, girls into self-assured women. We give women, children and men a feeling of safety, fitness and belonging. We help change people ideas and ideals, sometimes we even save people lives.
We started with 2 people in a school hall 30 odd years ago, we had 50 Kung Fu students on the books when we took the leap going fulltime in Marrickville 18 years ago. We moved to our current Sydenham Academy 6 years ago with 115 Kung Fu students.
It totally inspires me to watch people grow using our influences. I had a pretty aggressive upbringing and developed a clear inkling of the destructive qualities of domestic violence. I starting training women and their families so decimated by the horrors of Domestic Violence that I had to be involved. Now I am a White Ribbon Ambassador.
I saw children’s lives destroyed by relentless bullying with our help become strong and effective in their lives and relationships. I saw employees like parking officers, rangers, social workers, nurses and security personnel going home safely to their families and loved ones. Now we have over 300 students at our Sydenham Academy, we train 20 – 25,000 people per year in our STAY SAFE Workshops at Schools, Colleges, Community Centres, Safe Houses, Women’s Shelters and various Centres for the Disabled, anywhere we can help anyone feeling ‘at risk’ feel safer.
www.amahof.asn.au/members/directory/2017-2/chris-futcher-coles/