The Indomitable Spirit division is for any PUMA members with additional student profile requirements. A student profile covers all areas where a student may require additional support. A student in this tournament category will receive assistance from experienced professionals to ensure they have access to all our association has to offer.

So, what does that mean?

Well, if you have never been to a tournament before, it can seem like a scary place. Constant noise, chatter, cheering, shouting, crowds of people moving as one. Even the people running them can feel overwhelmed sometimes. For students needing extra support a tournament can feel like something to avoid. This is why the Indomitable Spirit division was created.

Do I need a diagnosis or doctors letter?

No, this category is specifically designed for students who would find it hard to access the main ring tournament. It may be that they have a diagnosis or condition that would make it impossible to compete fairly against able bodies performers or that high levels of anxiety make it impossible to attend a noisy venue. Either (and everything in between) is appropriate for this division.

What do you do to help the performers?

Whatever they need. This may be as simple as letting them wear ear defenders or may include having an instructor there to perform next to them. Each student goes up one at a time and performs their pattern with whatever assistance they require and a mark is generated by the judges. The gold, silver and bronze is then worked out at the end.

The Indomitable Spirit Div runs at each local domestic P.U.M.A. Tournament, around four per year. There are also exciting opportunities to travel further with options to compete in Ireland and Scotland as well as future possibilities in other countries.

As more and more organisations recognise the demand for divisions like this one, the number of tournaments you can access will grow making this an exciting and unique opportunity to experience this amazing challenge.

We have a dedicated fund to help with travel and competition entry fees .

The simple answer is no, we have both junior and adult divisions at domestic level and hope to offer the same exciting international opportunities to adult as well as our junior students.