Congrats Team MAI 2008

[R. Devane]

Team MAI D7 had their last session of 2008 yesterday (7/12/08) and Team MAI D15 finishes this coming Friday (12/12/08)

Firstly I wanted to say a massive congratulations to all Team MAI members. Our team has gone from strength to strength every year for the past 3 years it has been running. This year alone we entered and competed in points, continuous, submission wrestling, Ju-Jitsu and mma. You simply have to read the reports to see that we took home a hell of a lot of silverware! We are all delighted with how the team has developed and the progress is very evident in each individual. I am really looking forward to Team MAI 2009 because there are even more competitions coming up next year. Team MAI won't officially start back until the first week in March but that is no reason to slack off because MAI will be entering 'The Best of the Best' on January 24th 2009.

I also wanted to say a Big Thank You to Keith Quinn who has done an excellent job of coaching Team MAI D15 and they really are a force to be reckoned with. Thank you also to Kiefer Crosbie and Louise Quinn who have both helped me out a lot with the running of Team MAI D7.

Finally, thank you to all Team MAI members and supporters who made Team MAI what it is. It's always one of my most favourite classes to teach.

Congratulations to you all and enjoy the break. I hope to see you all on Team MAI next year.

Robert

[Deleted]

The team has been a great experience this year- and I'm lucky cos I was able to experience both D15 and D7. I was sorry to be missing the D7 sessions on a saturday, but it's just as good a buzz and training in D15.

There was loads of winning done in the last year across the board. Some of my favourates were our 2 competitions, and the crazy rules ju jitsu at the Irish cup!
The best thing about TEAM MAI this year though, has definitely been the way we're really coming together and supporting each other. Everyone is really behind each other, and we all genuinely want to see our team mates succeed, which is great!

I'd like to say a big well done to all of my team mates, I look forward to training with you and standing in your corners next year, as well as competing by your sides.

I'd also like to say an even bigger thank you to the instructors for making training fun, and helping us all to improve.

See you all next year!

[stephenlarge]

Its amazing how quickly the year has gone with the team. For those thinking of signing up next year, whilst its a big commitment getting up early on a Saturday and training for a few hours it is well worth it. I have to say that I genuinely enjoyed the year and feel that I have learned a lot in the team training as we covered loads in the year-fitness training techniques, stretches, continuous and points techniques, sparring, take downs, mma, grappling, the works. Even yesterday on the last day Rob still had us doing advanced training and grappling.

The support of other team members and the advice and guidance from instructors has always been much appreciated especially at the competitions. There is a lot of talent in the team and club and hopefully this can be built on next year.

Hope all the team are back in force next year and I would strongly encourage everyone else to sign up asap.

Thanks Rob , the instructors and team MAI.

[jaycramer]

Here here. I would like to thank Keith for his D15 training, I have noticed every one improving and that is a testament to Keith and his training methods so thank you. I would also like to thank in no order to Sensei , Declan, Robert , Colm , Keifer, Keith , Louise for their hard work and dedicaton to the club , I think you all are doing a great job so thanks again. Roll on the new year , and keep in good shape , keep away from the mince pies ha ha ,competition only 5 weeks away!!

[dkidd]

One of the best compliments I cna pay to MAI is having trained in many martial arts, in many clubs, I have never seen the instructors themselves training so hard. Every time I arrive there somebody is doing extra work. This surely is the best indication that things can only get even better at our dojos. Students and Instructors alike keep up the hard work it is worth it.

[Deleted]

this was a fantastic year for everybody involved in the team.
we learned loads from the team
Tanx very much to robert and all the instructors involved

[Kiefer.c]

hey,well done to all the team members this year it was a pleasure training by everyones side - and the people on the team make those saturday mornings much easier to get up out of bed!

thank you to robert who created and made team m.a.i what it is today- this year was a brilliant experience and no doubt next year will be even better - thanks again amigo!!

i can't wait for next year,the team is the best class of the week and i hope we get another great crew of fighters - see you all at the xmas olympics -

TEAM M.A.I. 2008 -PEACE

[dkidd]

Anybody who knows me will tell you I have always been self critical and inventive in my own training so I'm gonna reveal a little secret.... I have been sooo jealous of everyone training in team MAI. I teach a private class at this time and watch (out of the corner of my eye). The camaraderie and commitment has amazed me this year more than any other. May it continue and grow in 2009.

[louise devane]

Well done everyone on the team in both studios . Everyone that competed this year did extremely well , alot of trophies and medals won in 2008 so roll on 2009 . I have only trained in D7 team session and it was great ! 2008 was the first year we had so many kids on the team and they have got so much out of this . They are tough little cookies !!! I myself have really got so much experience out of the team , it has made me hungrier for more competing . Also well done to the people who are not on the team that have come along to support and get in and give it a go . Most competitions this year we have had at least 30 - 40 people competing at every competition which is great . I don't think any other club has as many . Well done everyone I cant wait for team to start in March 2009 . So thanks Robert for the encouragement and sparring throughout the year . Also thank you to all of the instructors for their input this year .

Have a super Christmas everyone and see you all soon .

[carolinec]

Hi everyone

I was training in D15 with the team. I started with the club in January and also joined the team this year. I was very disappointed that I couldn't go to the classes toward the end of the year because of work.
I was extremely nervous before the classes, usually the nerves starting on the Monday before. But once I got started this went a little. I just wanted to say thanks to everyone in the Team that made me feel really welcome and had no problem helping out a beginner. Everyone was always really encouraging especially Keith (special thanks ;D). It was great to fight all levels and learn something different from everyone. I also got my first real injury (a rite of passage I feel, kinda walked into it)! I know I have a lot still to learn and after a bit of an enforced break from the classes as well as the team, I can't wait to get stuck in again soon.
Also while I'm here thanks to all my training partners and instructors for all the help this year and good craic!! Sorry for the long post.

Thanks
Caroline