A groundbreaking martial arts facility is set to open its doors in Sutton Coldfield this summer, offering a unique fusion of combat sports training and formal education — a first in the UK.
The new centre, MA Academy, will be located at 240b Lichfield Road in Mere Green, taking over a former financial services building. The venue is being transformed into a modern mixed martial arts (MMA) training hub complete with two fully matted spaces for wrestling — one on each floor — and a dedicated parent viewing area on the ground level.
But what sets MA Academy apart from traditional gyms is its partnership with SCL Education, which will enable students to pursue academic qualifications while training like professional athletes. The facility will provide instruction in various disciplines, including Olympic Freestyle Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, and Boxing.
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Slated to open in July, the gym will also serve as a centre of education, offering BTEC Level 3 qualifications in mixed martial arts for 16 to 19-year-olds. Mornings will be reserved for academic learning at nearby Sutton Coldfield College, with physical training scheduled for the afternoons.
“This is more than just a gym — it’s a career pathway for young athletes,” said Joshua Abreu, one of the founders and a wrestling coach at the centre. “We’re combining elite-level training with accredited education to support young people who want to pursue a future in combat sports.”
Abreu is joined by a team of expert coaches, including Amir Kaveian (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu), Ellie Harbinson (Striking Coach & Education Lead), and Jake Murrell (Muay Thai and Boxing). The initiative has been in development since last October and is led by local entrepreneurs Jordan Nadat and Edward Ansah, who are passionate about giving back to the community.
“The project is built on community spirit,” Abreu explained. “It’s designed to inspire and empower kids from the age of five and up. We already have several national champions among our students, and this academy is the next step in nurturing that talent.”
Inspired by models in the United States where athletes balance school and sport from high school, Abreu believes the MA Academy could pave the way for similar projects across the UK. “This kind of dual career pathway has only been available in football here so far — we want to change that.”
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The academy’s training sessions will run early mornings from 6am to 7am, with afternoon and evening classes from 4:30pm to 9:30pm on weekdays and Saturday sessions from 8am to 1pm. The centre will be closed on Sundays.
In the near future, MA Academy also plans to launch an in-house Venum gear shop, selling top-tier martial arts apparel and training equipment.
To celebrate its grand opening, the academy will host a family-friendly open day on Saturday, July 19, from 11am to 5pm. The event will feature fun activities for children, bouncy castles, live entertainment, BBQ food, guided tours of the facility, and an opportunity to meet the team and learn about enrollment.
Training classes will commence shortly after the open day, with full-time education courses beginning in September 2025.
“This is an exciting moment for the town and for martial arts in the UK,” Abreu added. “We’re bringing something new to the community — and it’s just the beginning.
