Legions Thai Club opens new gym (From York Press)

Legions Thai Club opens new gym

12:11pm Saturday 30th July 2011 in Sport

YORK’S martial arts boom continues apace with the opening of a new gym.

The Legions Thai Club – formed from the old York Thai Boxing Club – has moved to spanking new headquarters in Fifth Avenue.

And the aim is to provide top-class all-round teaching as mixed martial arts proves it is more than alive and kicking in the city.

The men behind the new Legions club are Dave Phillips and Al Chambers, who own the enterprise.

Said Phillips: “We are very excited. I have known Al for quite a long time. I used to box with him when I first started in 2005.

“We both do this for the love of sport and I love the idea of training people. If they can go on to success then even better.”

Two Legions warriors have helped to christen the new premises, which are open Monday through to Friday each evening, in title-seizing fashion.

Wes Nunns and Ian Houillebecq both won Thai-boxing area championships at the recent Cage Confrontation 3 mixed martial arts bill at York’s Energise Centre.

Houillebecq is due to travel to Thailand, the home of the discipline, later this year, while next month the Legions club will host a seminar by four-time world champion Liam Harrison.

“He has been before but we did not have much room then, but in our new gym we can have so many more people in,” said a delighted Phillips, who added the club’s new home had been boosted by sponsorship from True Colour Trinity tattoos on truecolour.trinity.com Phillips and Chambers – both CRB checked – are now looking into setting up classes for children.

Anyone interested can check the legionsgym.co.uk website or phone Phillips on 07946 477001.