About Rocky Mountain Martial Arts Family Centre
Rocky Mountain Martial Arts Family Centre came into being when Michael Nix decided that Cranbrook needed a martial arts gym that could be more than a gym and different than anything Cranbrook had currently in the martial arts world. He knew from the years that his son, Eric Trained with Joel Huncar and Keith Young that the things they did was much more than just teach martial arts. They created a community that inspired growth and change. De Cadena Fighting Arts is the system developed by Joel Huncar, and the Little Pirates Children’s Fencing and Kickboxing Program was developed by Joel and his fellow Arnisador, Michael Holdsworth. Mike Nix wanted to find a place where Joel and Keith could reach far more people. Fast forward a year or two later and Joel and Mike started the Rocky Mountain Martial Arts Family Centre and gave Joel and Keith a home for De Cadena Fighting Arts.
The system has been revamped and streamlined. The teaching has improved, and the venue is the only full-time martial arts gym in the East Kootenays. RMMA Family Centre has maintained the extremely high level of professionalism that Joel has been known for and has continued the tradition of rather than being a gym or a dojo, instead being a community where people can grow and improve in all aspects of life. This is not just a fighting gym; this is a life skills centre and an extended family.
Not only is this the home for some of the most unique fighting systems in the world, Muay Thai, Mati Arnis, Balintawak Cuentada Eskrima, and De Campo 1-2-3 Eskrima, but it is also a community. That is because Joel is a community builder as well as a coach and motivator. This is a place where everyone is welcome if they come here with the virtues of humility, respect and care for others. At RMMA Family Centre you may be learning very deadly arts of war, but you will also be developing a heart for peace.
It took a community to help Joel put together the programs that we teach at RMMA Family Centre. Keith Young has been behind the scenes and on the mats for a decade and helping the program evolve and change. Michael Holdsworth was instrumental in giving good advice on the running of the children’s program and for the swash buckling motif we use in our Pirate themed children’s programs. Senior students make it possible for Joel to keep coaching and not be physically broken from pad holding and training. Only good leadership and the heart to share can build a community, we are very fortunate to have been able to foster that at RMMA Family Centre.
Guro joel Huncar
Joel Huncar has brought arts that previously were only available in some of the major urban centres in Canada. He has trained with some of the most influential marital artists in the entire world, including Master Songlith Singthong who brought Muay Thai to Canada over 40 years ago when this art was virtually unheard of. He has trained extensively in Arnis, Eskrima and Kali under Guro Norm Stackhouse, Guro Ross Doromal, Guro Louie Lindo, Guro Bill Thurston, Guro Sonny Padilla and Master Norman Suanico. He has also trained in Modern Cimande Silat and Urban Survival Systems under Guro Ed Wong, who is perhaps one of the best reality-based combat coaches in all of Canada. He has had the opportunity to seminar train with some of the world’s most prestigious FMA instructors such as Punong Guro Edgar Sulite, Grand Master Cacoy Canete, and Bruce Lee”s inheritor; Dan Inosanto.
However, perhaps his greatest influence is the world renown Grand Master Bobby Taboada who has cast the biggest shadow worldwide for the Filipino Martial Arts community. In 2018 Joel tested for and passed the Completion of the Art in Taboada Balintawak Cuentada.
Joel has also written articles in Black Belt Magazine, been featured in a book on combative knife training, been published in Filipino Martial Arts Digest and Filipino Martial Arts Informative. Joel is a regular blogger and had a column in our local newspaper. Joel is an up-and-coming voice in martial arts, warrior culture and personal growth.
Joel has competed in weapons fighting in the Tiger Balm Internationals, and a Bakbakan tournament, with both padded and real sticks.
Joel was named the Alberta Jiu Jitsu Association’s Inter Provincial Instructor of the Year in 2011 and has helped various Jiu Jitsu instructors build bridging skills to move from long-range fighting into close range combat. He has always been seen as an innovator and an ambassador between different styles, disciplines and associations.
Joel is a full instructor in Mati Arnis, a Kru (Coach) in Muay Thai, has achieved Completion of the Art in Balintawak Cuentada Eskrima, has his teacher’s rank (Magtutudlo) in De Campo 1-2-3 original, and has trained in Ilustrisimo Kali, Urban Survival Systems, Modern Cimande Silat and Ikatan Kali. Moving to Cranbrook has made seeking out teachers a little harder but with the guidance of his mentors Ajarn Songlith Singthong, Guro Louie Lindo, Guro Ed Wong, Grand Master Norman Suanico, Maestro Jomalin Caballero, Master Paolo Pagaling, and of Course Grand Master Bobby Taboada he plans on continuing his education in Filipino Martial Arts, Close Combat, Muay Thai and the amazing art of Balintawak.
In a world where martial artists are constantly looking to add new degrees onto their belts, Joel has dedicated himself to being a constant “white belt” and not become tied up in the idea of seeing himself as an expert. Joel never wants to see himself as having arrived, as it is the journey that brings about the growth. Joel wants to keep on the journey as long as he is able.
Guro Keith Young
Keith has been training with Joel for around 15 years at the writing of this. He is a true tactician, innovator and has an eye for students in need. Keith is a full Guro in De Cadena Eskrima and is a Modern Cimande practitioner and coach. Keith has had over a decade of martial arts training and research. He is a true asset to our gym community. Keith is the unsung hero who not only works on the mats in our eventing and after school children’s programs, works full time in the school system, but also keeps everything running smooth by keeping things organized behind the scenes. This place would not be what it is without Guro Keith.
KRU Tyson Hirscher
Tyson is a part time coach and a very focussed fighter. Beginning a very promising career as a Nak Muay, Tyson has made a name for himself in combat sports. Winning various national championships in continuous kick boxing, Tyson was the WKC 2014 heavy weight world champion and a Muay Thai Canada national B class heavy weight champion three years consecutively. Tyson is doing a very noble job of juggling his career and maintaining a very impressive amateur fight career, and even though his focus is on furthering his fighting career, Tyson is a natural coach and very good at teaching children, because he is able to put his fighter’s edge aside and put himself on the same level as the children he teaches, even though he is a bit of a giant.
equipment manager Kendall Wager
Kendal helps keep things organized and keeps an eye on who is coming on and off the mats. He is an integral part of our martial arts family. Kendal came to us by fluke and has found a home away from home and an extended family in the Gym. His contribution to our gym has been subtle, yet, invaluable. It is hard to put to words all that Kendal does, but the gym is one hundred times better with his involvement than without it.