Black Belt Spirit: Strength In Service

At Fife Kickboxing, we ask every Black Belt candidate to plan, organise, and deliver a charity event in the six months leading up to their grading. This requirement has been a core part of our curriculum since the club was founded in 2004.

Why? Because earning a Black Belt isn’t just about physical toughness or technical skill. Life can hit harder than any opponent, and true Black Belt spirit means having the strength to serve others with humility, resilience, and compassion. We believe that leadership and character off the mats are just as important as discipline and courage on them.

In the past 20 years, just 53 students have demonstrated the unwavering focus, patience, and perseverance required to reach this milestone. It is an achievement reserved not for the naturally gifted, but for those who consistently show up, grow, and give their best — to themselves and to others.

This year, we were proud to see one of our largest and most committed grading groups yet: four adult Dan grades and two junior Star grades. Together, these six students raised an incredible £4,389 and donated over 80 hours of volunteer service to causes close to their hearts.

Their actions remind us that the journey to Black Belt is not just about what you earn — it’s about who you become along the way.

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Vickie de Vries – 2nd Dan Black Belt
Vickie took on multiple challenges, including a gruelling fitness test: a 10K run with an accumulating exercise routine at every kilometre.

Chelsea Simpson – 1st Dan Black Belt
Chelsea ran the Edinburgh Half Marathon with fellow club members, raising funds for Parkinson’s UK in honour of her mum, who lives with the condition.

Donald Bryden – 1st Dan Black Belt
Donald gave back to his local community by organising a coastal path clean-up in North Queensferry. With help from 15 volunteers, he collected 15 full bags of rubbish.

Graham MacLeod – 1st Dan Black Belt
Graham began volunteering at the Touch Community Pantry and set up a donation box at the club to support their efforts.

Rory Talbot – 1st Star Black Belt
Rory and his family walked one million steps in May for Maggie’s. With support from his mum Julie and sister Bobbi, the Talbots stepped up together and smashed their goal.

Aidan Dickson – 1st Star Black Belt
Aidan climbed Ben Nevis with his mum and dad to raise funds for CHAS — a charity close to their hearts. His grandmother, Lorraine Dickson, was one of the two co-founders of CHAS.