Martial Arts: see if you can achieve a belt promotion, break a board, or learn a complex hold in a martial art such as Taekwondo or Judo.

Martial Arts are traditional systems of combat that originate from many countries such as Japan, Korea, and China. The varying arts involve strikes such as punching and kicking as well as grappling and throwing, pinning and holds. Martial arts can be used for combat, health, or spirituality. It has many benefits such as: builds cardiovascular fitness, improves flexibility and balance, overall strength, teaches discipline, determination, resilience and is ideal for increasing focus as way of practicing mindfulness. Types of martial arts include Judo, Taekwondo, Karate, Ju-jitsu, and Kung fu (plus many more).

Martial Arts Australia and the Martial Arts Industry Association

Martial Arts Australia and the Martial Arts Industry Association are peak industry bodies for Martial Arts in Australia. 

Inclusive Martial Arts

Judo has been a Paralympic sport since 1988. Paralympic Australia has a great info sheet about Para-judo. No Limits Judo is a partnership between Judo Australia and the Australian Sports Foundation to offer Judo to people with diverse and special needs. Blind Sports Australia provide a great overview of Judo for vision impairment.  

Taekwondo has been a Paralympic sport since 2020. Paralympic Australia has a great info sheet about Para-Taekwondo.   

Martial Arts for children and young people

Judo 4 Kids is a partnership between Judo Australia and the Australian Sports Foundation to offer Judo to children and young people aged 4 to 21 years. There are 15 Judo clubs in South Australia, find a club near you here. For Taekwondo you can find a club here.  

Other Resources

• Kung Fu Wusha SA  
• Frameworks, plans, and other resource for Inclusion (Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing) 
• School programs (Inclusive and fun based programs that align to curriculum outcomes for school groups) 
• Fighting Falls (Taekwondo program for people aged over 65 years)