Our founder

Sebastian Bates: from a bullied kid in Somerset to the world's largest scholarship martial arts academy

Sebastian built The Warrior Academy from a single class in Rode, a village in Somerset. Today it is the largest martial arts academy in the Middle East, and through The Bates Foundation it is the largest scholarship martial arts academy on the planet.

Read his story His books
Sebastian Bates holding his book Not a Victim
14,000+scholarships every week, the only martial arts academy doing this
No. 1largest martial arts academy in the Middle East
2 booksfor parents on confidence, character and bullying
25 yearsin martial arts, including a professional fight in Thailand
1. How it started

Built for the child he used to be

Sebastian was bullied as a child. Martial arts gave him the confidence to stand up for himself, and he wanted every child to have that same chance. He started teaching a small class in Rode, a village in Somerset, and built a method around one idea: the kicks are the vehicle, character is the goal.

That method grew into The Warrior Academy, with clubs across Wiltshire, Somerset, Bath and Dorset and a purpose-built Character Development Centre in Salisbury. In 2019 Sebastian took it to Dubai, where it became the largest martial arts academy in the Middle East.

2. The programme he built

The Warrior Method

Every class at every club follows the programme Sebastian designed. It gives children a black belt mindset through three things that matter for life.

ConfidenceBuilt one earned belt at a time, so children believe in themselves because they have proved it.
ConductRespect and self-control on the mat that carry home, into school and into friendships.
ConcentrationFocus trained in class that shows up in homework, grades and everyday life.
Around 1,000 children in white uniforms training together in one class in Kenya
3. The Bates Foundation

The largest scholarship martial arts academy on the planet

After visiting a homeless shelter in Thika, Kenya, for boys rescued from the streets of Nairobi, Sebastian started a class there. That shelter became the first ever Bates Foundation club. It is now the only martial arts academy providing more than 14,000 scholarships every week, with food, uniforms and an eight-year character programme for vulnerable children in Kenya and beyond.

See how UK families are part of it
4. His books

Written for parents

The Warrior Method by Sebastian Bates
The Warrior Method Develop confidence, respect and focus in your child by giving them a black belt mindset

The programme behind every Warrior Academy class, written so parents can use it at home.

Get the book
Not a Victim by Sebastian Bates
Not a Victim Enable your child to break through bullying and develop a black belt in resilience for life

A practical guide for parents on helping a child stand up to bullying, co-written with Menno Siebinga.

Get the book

Give your child the method Sebastian built

Book a free taster at our HQ in Salisbury or one of our village clubs.

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