Vanguard LED Saber Academy
WHO WE ARE
Vanguard LED Saber Academy is a dedicated community of practitioners united by passion, discipline, and the pursuit of balance.
Based at Hermitage Park Community Centre in Maidstone, we've created a space where tradition meets innovation and training is meant to be enjoyed.
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Our philosophy is simple: do what you love. Some members embrace all aspects of our training, becoming well-rounded warriors.
Others find their calling in a specific style, mastering it with focused dedication. Both paths are equally valid, and both are equally welcome here.
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At the heart of our training is balance. We use four elemental drills—Earth, Fire, Water, and Air—to develop complete practitioners.
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Earth builds power and structure.
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Fire sharpens speed and awareness.
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Water cultivates flow and spatial control.
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Air refines precision and economy of movement.
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What sets Vanguard apart is our community. We value growth over ego, discipline over shortcuts, and collective progress over individual glory.
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You'll find supportive instructors and fellow students who celebrate your progress and challenge you to reach further.
WHAT WE DO
At Vanguard, we offer structured training that combines martial discipline with creative expression.
Every member begins as an Initiate, learning fundamental techniques through an introduction to Shii-Cho over six to eight weeks.
Once you've completed your grading, you become an Apprentice and can choose your path: Light Side, Dark Side, or Balanced - then you can branch into the worlds of combat and kata, and later pursue advanced forms including Makashi, Soresu, Djem So, and Ataru.
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We offer three distinct combat formats to match different interests:
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Style Combat is collaborative dueling where partners create visually stunning exchanges.
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Both fighters receive the same score—your success depends on making your partner look good.
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Vanguard Combat emphasizes precision through single-hit kills. Every strike must show clear intention and complete control.
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This format rewards clean technique and mastery of distance and timing.
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Tournament Combat follows multiple external tournament formats with fast-paced, continuous exchanges.
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Using rulesets developed by the Silver Sabres Combat Academy and Saber Tour, fighters can strike back immediately after being hit, testing your ability to maintain technique under pressure.
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Whether you're seeking artistic expression, technical refinement, or competitive challenge, our progression system supports your journey from Initiate to Knight and beyond.
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START YOUR JOURNEY
​Every warrior begins somewhere. For most, it starts with a spark — a curiosity, a passion, or simply the feeling that something like this was made for you. At Vanguard, that spark is enough.
Your first step is simple: book a free trial session and come and see what we're about. No commitment, no pressure — just an opportunity to step into the hall, meet the community, and get a feel for what training with us looks like. We want you to be sure this is the right place for you before you invest anything beyond your time.
If it clicks — and we think it will — we offer training packages built to suit different lifestyles and levels of commitment.
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Pay As You Go at £10 per session is perfect if your schedule is flexible or you're still finding your feet.
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For those ready to commit to consistent training, Monthly Unlimited gives you every session throughout the calendar month for £30 — the best value for dedicated students.
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And if you're bringing a family member along, our Family Package covers a parent and child training together for £50 a month, because some journeys are better shared.
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Classes run every Wednesday from 8:15pm to 9:30pm at Hermitage Park Community Centre. No equipment is needed — just show up and we'll take care of the rest. If you already own a saber and want to bring it along, you're more than welcome.
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Please note that training pauses for two weeks over Christmas and one week at Easter. For those paying by bank transfer, standing order details are available on request.
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Whatever brought you here — curiosity, fandom, a love of martial arts, or something you can't quite put into words — there's a place for you at Vanguard. The only thing left to do is show up.
Contact Us
Address
Hermitage Park Community Centre
Cranford Rd, Allington, Maidstone ME16 9FZ
Contact
Class Times
Wednesday
8:15 pm - 9:30 pm
