Learn the unique style of Balintawak Eskrima
A close quarter martial art from the Philippines
Learn the unique style of Balintawak Eskrima
About Red Fox Chapter
Welcome!
Welcome to the Red Fox Chapter of Bulldog Nickelstick Balintawak Eskrima, offering friendly and professional classes in the close quarter martial art from the Philippines. Based in North Essex, our training is designed to improve fitness, self-defence skills, and confidence for individuals of all ages (aged 18 to 80!), and help improve co-ordination and reaction, enhance focus and mental sharpness as well as developing awareness and control.
Why "Red Fox"?
Each Nickelstick club has it's own name, called a "chapter".
The Red Fox Chapter takes its name from one of Britain’s most recognisable and adaptable wild animals. Living in the countryside, the red fox is a familiar presence and a fitting symbol for the qualities we seek to develop through the practice of Balintawak Eskrima.
The fox is renowned for its awareness, intelligence, adaptability and resourcefulness. It does not rely solely on strength, but instead uses timing, movement, positioning and an ability to respond instinctively to its surroundings. These qualities have strong parallels with Balintawak Eskrima, where practitioners learn to read an opponent, adapt to changing circumstances, control distance and respond with speed and precision.
The red fox is also an animal of quiet confidence. It is alert without being reckless, capable without being aggressive, and persistent in overcoming obstacles. These are qualities that we believe are equally important in martial arts - developing confidence and capability whilst maintaining discipline, control, respect and humility.
For these reasons, the Red Fox provides a fitting identity for our chapter. It reflects both our connection with the countryside and the principles at the heart of Balintawak Eskrima: awareness, adaptability, timing, intelligence, perseverance and controlled movement.
As part of the World Nickelstick Eskrima Balintawak lineage, the Red Fox Chapter is committed to preserving these traditions whilst introducing the art to a new generation of practitioners in the UK.
About Nickelstick
The World Nickelstick Eskrima Club was established on 27 April 2003. The term “WORLD” reflects the international nature of the organisation, which is represented by instructors from the Philippines, England, the United States and across Europe. It also embodies our aspiration to promote and preserve the art of Balintawak Eskrima and share its principles and traditions with practitioners throughout the world.
The name “NICKELSTICK” has its origins in the name of Great Grandmaster Nick Elizar. “Nickel” is derived from his name, while “Stick” reflects the single-stick methodology that is a defining characteristic of Balintawak Eskrima. The term “Eskrima” is the Filipinised form of the Spanish word esgrima, broadly translated as “the art of fencing”, and has become one of the terms by which Filipino martial arts are widely known.
The World Nickelstick Eskrima Club practises the Balintawak style of Eskrima, which originated from the Balintawak club in Cebu. This historic school was headed by the late Grandmaster Teofilo Velez, the late Grandmaster Atty. Jose Villasin, and the late Great Grandmaster Venancio “Anciong” Bacon, whose teachings and legacy form an important foundation of the Balintawak tradition.
Great Grandmaster Nick Elizar learned and mastered Balintawak Eskrima directly from this original school. He subsequently headed the White Chapter of the Teovels Balintawak Group, and it was from this lineage and his continuing dedication to the art that the World Nickelstick Eskrima Club was established.
Today, the World Nickelstick Eskrima Club continues to honour this heritage by preserving the principles, techniques and traditions of Balintawak Eskrima, while making the art accessible to a new generation of practitioners around the world.
For more information on our founder, the philosophy and training methodology, and history of Nickelstick, please go to the drop down menu and click on "Nickelstick UK website".
About Bulldog
“Bulldog” is the nickname of Grandmaster Martin Sillitoe, acquired during his competitive career in Eskrima. He competed at WEKAF World, European and British Championships, achieving an impressive collection of Gold, Silver and Bronze medals.
The Bulldog Nickelstick Eskrima Balintawak Chapter was established on 27 April 2009, following the authorisation of Great Grandmaster Nicomedes “Nick” Elizar, Founder and Great Grandmaster of World Nickelstick Balintawak Eskrima.
Following this authorisation, Grandmaster Martin Sillitoe was recognised and appointed as the UK Representative for World Nickelstick Balintawak Eskrima.
The Bulldog Chapter forms part of the wider World Nickelstick Eskrima lineage, carrying forward the traditions and teachings of Balintawak Eskrima whilst promoting its practice and principles throughout the United Kingdom.
The name “Bulldog” therefore represents more than a nickname. It reflects the qualities associated with the breed — strength, courage, determination, tenacity and an unwillingness to give up — qualities that are equally valued within the practice of Eskrima.
For more information on Bulldog Nickelstick, please go to the drop down menu and click on "Nickelstick UK website".
