‘I have seen first-hand Tara transform kids’
A Two-times world champion in jujitsu has turned her attention to helping deprived children and victims of bullying.
Now Tara Burndred has been nominated for Adult Achiever of the Year in the Moorlands Heroes Awards.
The 45-year-old, from Oakamoor, works with children in care and deprived youngsters in and around North Staffordshire, coaches children in schools in basic self-defence techniques and encourages fitness and selfconfidence in her students.
She also works with alternative provision, giving extra help to children who need it, and has worked with the Brownies and Guides.
She also now offers classes to adults as well as children, after taking on two full-qualified personal trainers and nutritionists.
Tara received three separate nominations for Moorlands Heroes, from her friend Helen Norton, from Bob Dean and from her husband Anthony Burndred.
Anthony said: “Tara runs a Dojo, teaching self defence to the community and works really hard helping people that come through the doors whether it be for self defence or fitness, but I have to say there is more to it than that.
“She has taken time out to work with young children that have been bullied and have shyness problems and encouraged them to be strong in themselves and realise that bullies have their own issues.
“She works with disadvantaged children and encourages them to have goals and ambition, she seems to focus on the mind set for people and gets them motivated.
“People that do not believe they could get fit have lost so much weight that they went on to became fitness instructors themselves.
“Yet I don’t think Taz, my wife, realises what she does for people.
“It hasn’t been easy for her. She had to deal with bullies when she was younger because of wearing braces in school.
“She has been doing jujitsu since she was 10 years old and she is now 45. She was teaching from 12 years old. She is now a 4th dan black belt.
“This year she took a group of children to a national competition and said she would lead by example - she took Masters Gold and her students came away with two golds, two silvers and two bronzes. I’m so proud of her.
“I feel she deserves some sort of recognition for all her hard work.”
Tara’s friend, Helen Norton, said: “Tara has worked with victims of bullying and disadvantaged children for the past five years to increase their confidence and runs her own business, Breathe, in Cresswell, which is a nonprofit community project aimed at encouraging the surrounding community to become healthier, fitter and more positive and motivated in their everyday lives. I have seen first hand some of these children transform from quiet, timid, withdrawn, often bullied new starters to confident, outgoing, ambitious team players under Tara’s nurturing hand.”
In nominating Tara, Bob Dean, said: “Tara is a local two times world champion in jujitsu. She has her Dojo at Cresswell and runs classes for self defence, anti bullying, assists schools with difficult children, runs fitness classes for all ages, does inspirational talks, does individual sessions for various people with difficulties and assists local housing authorities in teaching break away techniques.
“She helps the community by trying to pass onto people good living and safe living in the community.”
In 2013, Tara made a comeback after nearly two decades away from the sport when she was crowned world jujitsu champion.
Then aged 40, she couldn’t resist returning to jujitsu, in which she has competed since she was 10, and after just a few months back training, she found herself in the World Championships in Andover, Hampshire.
And the mum-of-two showed she had lost none of her skill by winning individual gold in the 78kg and over category with victory over Australian Steffilouise Stackpoole.
To crown her return to the big stage, she also walked away with a team title as she helped England to victory.
Tara had previously represented Great Britain at the World Championships in Doncaster in 1993, where she picked up a silver medal in the demonstration pairs event.
She also represented her country at the European Championships in Athens two years later, as well as competing across Europe.