On Saturday 21st May 2005, Mania Women's Sport Fighting team will be fighting against fighters from Auckland University Judo Club, Integrated Fighting and Douglas Jiu Jitsu.

The event will be held at Avondale Performing Arts Centre, which is located at Avondale College on Victor Street, Avondale. Doors open at 7.30pm. The event will be filmed, and aired at a later date on the TV3 sports program "Arena".

This past weekend I spoke to the fighters and their managers/trainers. All involved seem to think the event will be a positive move for women's fighting, and are keen to get on with this and more events like it.

The form of fighting can best be labeled as submission fighting and with the blend of wrestling and martial arts will be exciting to watch.

For the Mania fighters this is a big move, as in the past all their fights have been within the club. With the huge membership the gym enjoys, this has never been a problem. However several of their fighters commented that they were excited by the new direction the club was taking and hoped that it could mean they will eventually fight teams from overseas.

They realize their first step has to be holding their own against other New Zealand styles and it is fair to say the Mania team, although excited, are expecting this to be a very big very difficult step.

In general there has been a lack of public support for women's fighting sports, and it is hoped that with the tide slowly turning the females in this sport can look forward to more opportunities.

Mania wants to head in the direction of a regular fight against Australian teams and develop possibilities with the States.

Mania is releasing a DVD soon which is in the process of being negotiated by an American agent. It is hoped that the DVD will spark interest in the club and highlight a style that with its growing numbers needs other clubs to fight.

If the fights go well and the teams manage to find common ground on style and rules issues, then it is possible the clubs can join together to train a team of women who will give the Australians a run for their money.

The trainers seem to all agree what they have in common is the want for more exposure to female fighting sports and at this stage are working together to discuss ideas for the future.

Mania thanks the clubs that have stepped forward in this venture, they are aware this is fairly new territory and to be the first to make the move is admirable.

I am sure for all it will be a good night and we look forward to some great bouts and the start of pushing the basket for women who fight.