RAPID ARNIS INTERNATIONAL

Wanting more than just sport to test their skills in FMA, The Black Eagle Society was an idea that was tested back in 1989 by it's founders, an idea that they (Simon Wells and Pat O'Malley) finally seen come together as a group with the first official gathering in 1996 in Enfield Forrest on the outskirts of London where only 7 individuals where willing to participate at this historical No Holds Barred Stick Fest and this was the first of it's kind in Britain and the Europe, this was the formation of a rare breed of extreme stick fighters that have become known as 'The Black Eagle Society'.

Since it's first 'Swarming of the Nest' in 1996 the Black Eagle Society has hosted between one and two gatherings every year in various locations around the UK, never hosting the event in the same place twice. Practioners from many FMA styles and systems have joined them in their fight days to test their skills aginst like minded extreme stick fighters, but very few individuals have had the priveldge to earn their wings and call themselves members of the Black Eagle Society.

At the Society gatherings Eskrima Kali Arnis practioners from various styles and sytems come together to test their Filipino Martial Arts skills in the ultimate challenge where there are no rules in this no holds barred format of full contact stick fighting using heavy rattan sticks and other wooden training weapons, wearing only head and groin protectors and light gloves, with light elbow and knee pads optional.

The Society Gatherings are open to all serious FMA practioners regardless of style and have over the years seen top class practioners from styles such as Rapid Arnis, Kapatiran Arnis, Warriors Eskrima, Jeet Kune Do / Kali, Serrada Eskrima, Balintawak Arnis, Kanlintaw and more...

There reputation is so well respected that two Society members where ask to have the first ever and only NHB match at the WEKAF World Championships in Cebu, Philippines in 1998.

Each bout is a 3 minute round.

All strikes with or without the weapon are allowed.

If the helmet comes off in a bout then the fight can continue if agree by the fighters.

A fighter may tap out at anytime during any one bout.

There are no winners, no losers, nor trophies and no certificates, just the knowledge that you have tested your skill to the best of your abilities.

To become a fully fledged Black Eagle and individual must attend a minimum of 3 seperate Black Eagle Society Gatherings.

Fighting 3 bouts at 1 gathering will not qualify you as a Black Eagle Soceity Member.

If a fight goes to ground any head protection used may be removed by any of the the fighters.

On your attendance to your 3rd meeting a sparring partner will be chosen for you by the head of the Society.

Pre-arranged fights between individuals before any gathering are not permitted. All fighters will be matched up on the day.

The only rule the Black Eagle Society has is, leave your ego at the door.

Any individual wishing to participate in a gathering must me contact the head of the Society Tuhon Pat O'Malley before being accepted.

Acceptenace to a gathering is based on expeariance in the Filipino martial arts.

Few realise that with the birth of the Black Eagle Society in 1996 not only where people in awe of it's players many also gained an interest in our fellow practioners across the atlantic who where also battling to test their skills under the banner of the 'Dog Brothers' who themselves at the same time were forging a fearsom reputation.

In 1999 a new sports version of the Black Eagles format was to be born when Pat O'Malley (a co-founder of the society) formulated and hosted the first ever 'British Low Armour Championships' held in conjunction with the 'WEKAF British Championships' held in Ossett, Yorkshire.

Because of it's immediate success with the British WEKAF fighters the 'British Low Armour Championships' has been held annually and is now hosted by Veteran Black Eagle Society member John Harvey.

This sport version of the Black Eagle Society gathering's also gave birth to other events such as the 'Call 2 Arms' which is hosted by Mike & Kris Dunnage with their original format being called 'The Black Eagle Evolution'. Mike Dunnage (the co-owner with his brother Kris of Call 2 Arms) had originally fought at two Black Eagle Society Gatherings in 1997 and getting to the Semi Final the first ever British Low Armour Championships in 1999 which also led to other sport versions such as 'Kombata'. But it is a little known fact that it was the 'Black Eagle Society' who originated the sport versions of the Society gathering's in the UK.

It's is also a good to note that the only 2 gold medal possitions available (single stick & stick and sheild) at the 1st British Low Armour Championships where won by Full Black Eagle Society Members Louis Beale and Shiraz Hussain.

Many people still to this day participate in the safer sporting versions of the Black Eagle Society Gatherings, but only a select few ever venture out to test their skills to the max at the original Black Eagle Society's annual gathering's.

If you are interested in participating in the next Black Eagle Society Swarming of the Nest, then please contact the head of the Society Pat O'Malley for a informal chat and your interest on: info@rapidarnis.com