Len Hollis
Chief Instructor Len Hollis has been involved in martial arts for nearly 35 years and with the IWCA for 25 years. After working as an Australian Customs Officer for 17 years, he recently returned to the Academy to assume the role of Training and Curriculum Coordinator. Inst. Len had previously worked as manager of the Academy’s Adelaide branch and opened the Sydney school in 1985.
His first experience with Wing Chun was through a workmate who challenged his 18 months training in Shotokan Karate. Says Inst. Len, "Without going into too much detail, he was all over me like a rash – continuous punches combined with low, rapid kicks. He didn’t need to worry about defence because I was too busy covering up, let alone launching any attacks of my own. The very next day, I signed up with Sifu Jim Fung."
During his association with the IWCA, Len spent seven years away from training to experiment with other martial arts – Kyokushin Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kick Boxing and Judo. "Although they trained physically hard, it was all about the next grading and/or tournament," Inst. Len says. "There was little, if any, emphasis on actual self defence situations – surprise attack / ambush, multiple attackers, defence from the ground, defence against weapons or all combined. That experience taught me that for ‘real life’ fighting and self defence skills, nothing beat Wing Chun. Here at the Academy, you get all that."
"I train myself for the real world which, unfortunately, is getting more and more violent. You only need to watch the news on television or read the occasional newspaper to see that what I’m saying is true. Yes, we are trying to make your training enjoyable but we are also trying to give you some tools to use just in case the unfortunate does happen.
"I want your very first lesson to feel worthwhile. I want you to know that when you walk down those stairs at the end of your first lesson, that you will be able to do something (and then run away – always my favourite technique, even after 35 years of training) if you are assaulted.
"My advice to all beginners and indeed to all students with the IWCA is to approach your training as though it’s meant to save your life. I truly hope that you go through your life without having to use your Wing Chun skills, but they will be there just in case. Make the most of your training sessions. If you have any questions, please ask. The only silly questions are those that weren’t or aren’t asked."
Inst. Len says that with the support of Sifu Jim Fung’s family and the teaching of Sigung Chu, he aims at becoming the best he can be at Wing Chun.
"Having said that, I make this promise to all loyal students and instructors who want to train with me and my fellow Chief Instructors at the IWCA, that we will make you the very best that you can be too."