Anneli Davies

Mrs Anneli Davies has been training in martial arts for over 13 years and is a proud Black Belt instructor at YAMA. Her journey into martial arts began in a very relatable way — through her daughter, who joined a YAMA after-school club at just four years old. After being invited to a parent “have a go” session, Anneli stepped onto the mats herself and quickly discovered a passion that would change her life.

Throughout her training, Mrs Davies has studied a wide range of disciplines including Boxing, Judo, Ju-Jitsu, Kickboxing and Krav Maga, developing a well-rounded and practical skill set that reflects YAMA’s comprehensive curriculum.

As an instructor, Anneli is especially passionate about helping students grow in confidence — not just in class, but in everyday life. She strongly believes in building positive, supportive relationships with students and making every session engaging, fun and rewarding, particularly as she recognises how valuable that weekly time together can be.

Mrs Davies own martial arts journey is filled with achievements she is incredibly proud of. Earning her Purple Belt marked a huge milestone, as it pushed her well outside of her comfort zone. Taking part in a cage fight was another defining moment — a true mental challenge — made even more impressive by the fact that she was preparing for her Black Belt grading at the same time. Achieving her Black Belt remains a standout accomplishment, one she was so proud of she wore it to work the very next day.

She believes what truly sets YAMA apart is its strong family values and the genuine passion shared by every instructor. YAMA’s inclusive approach, achievable curriculum and commitment to recognising each student’s individuality allows everyone to progress at their own pace in a positive and supportive environment.

Outside of martial arts, Anneli has a few fun facts that often surprise students — she’s never met anyone with the same name as her, she never sneeze just once (usually 12 or more!), she used to be a dancer, and she has a love for musical theatre and reading.

Safeguarding

Mrs Davies is YAMA’s designated Safeguarding Officer. She is the primary point of contact for any safeguarding concerns and is committed to ensuring the safety, wellbeing and welfare of all students at YAMA. Parents, students and staff are encouraged to contact Mrs Davies directly should they ever have any safeguarding questions or concerns.

Looking ahead, Mrs Davies goal as an instructor is simple but powerful: to continue encouraging and inspiring every student to reach their full potential, both on and off the mats.

In addition to their teaching role, Mrs Davies is also a member of the YAMA Examiners Panel and regularly conducts both in-club gradings and YAMA panel gradings, helping to uphold the high technical standards, consistency, and professionalism across the academy.