To our members, ex-members, industry colleagues, professional partners, suppliers, and the family of every member. After 30 years of operation, Phoenix Muay Thai will permanently close its doors on Monday 10 August 2026.
This is not something we ever imagined writing. For three decades, Phoenix has been woven into the fabric of thousands of lives. It has been a sanctuary where people trained, challenged their limits, built lifelong friendships, developed unwavering confidence, and discovered they were capable of far more than they ever believed.
While our physical doors will close, the impact of Phoenix will continue through the people who shared this journey.
Phoenix began in 1996 as Planet Action, at a time when full-time martial arts clubs were rare in Canberra and Muay Thai was almost entirely unknown.
Over 30 years, Phoenix evolved through many forms—including multiple training styles; Muay Thai, fitness, boxing, BJJ, wrestling, MMA, and other martial arts disciplines. Yet, through every evolution, our singular purpose never changed: Build better people.
Martial arts were simply the vehicle. The real goal was always confidence, discipline, resilience, fitness, and character.
The Phoenix System was unique in its approach to developing people. Built on traditional martial arts values but guided by a continual pursuit of what genuinely worked, it evolved into a competence-based training system that challenged people to earn their progress through effort, consistency, and demonstrated ability. Every aspect of training was designed to develop real capability, not simply participation.
Phoenix always believed that people came first, but that martial arts should remain truly martial. Progress was never measured by attendance alone, but by growth in skill, resilience, discipline, and character. Every step forward had to be earned, and every challenge overcome. Over time, this philosophy created not only capable martial artists, but confident, resilient people. It became the foundation of Phoenix’s reputation for integrity, quality coaching, and training that stood the test of time.
Every single person contributed something to what Phoenix became.
Phoenix has always been about people.
Over the years, Phoenix has developed champions across Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Boxing, and MMA. We have coached state, national, and world-level competitors, contributed to the growth of combat sports in Australia, and helped thousands of everyday people improve their lives. But our greatest achievement was never the trophies, titles, or records. It was seeing people change, develop, and be forged in fire.
Our children’s programs stand as one of our proudest achievements. For more than 20 years, we helped young people develop confidence, discipline, resilience, and character. The goal was never simply to create fighters—it was to help create great adults.
No organisation survives 30 years without extraordinary people. Thank you to every single coach, staff member, and team member who worked with us over the last three decades. Regardless of where paths have led since, every person who put in time on our mats helped build the foundation of what Phoenix became. Watching you grow, improve, and take what you learned into your own lives has been the ultimate reward of coaching.
Running and coaching Phoenix for 30 years has been one of the greatest privileges of our lives. In an industry and economic landscape where the vast majority of small businesses don’t survive their first few years, sustaining an independent club for three decades is something we look back on with immense pride. It has required enormous commitment, sacrifice, and energy.
Like all great journeys, there comes a time when the next chapter must begin. After careful consideration, Tracy and I believe now is the right time to close Phoenix and focus on the adventures and challenges ahead.
Closing Phoenix is not because the journey was unsuccessful. It is because the journey was extraordinary. We are incredibly proud of what we created together.
Over 30 years, many people have passed through Phoenix. Some stayed close. Some moved on. Many stayed in touch when their lives took them away. As a coach, I coached to give. You teach people, help them grow, and eventually, they take what they have learned out into the world. That is something to be profoundly proud of.
Phoenix closes. What Phoenix built doesn’t.
Every single day, there will be people walking around Canberra and beyond carrying a little piece of Phoenix in their souls. Tougher people. More resilient people. Better people. That is the legacy we are most proud of.
To every member, coach, family, and supporter who has ever been part of Phoenix: Thank you. Thank you for trusting us. Thank you for challenging us. Thank you for helping create something truly special.
Phoenix will always be part of our lives, and we hope it remains part of yours.
Keep challenging yourself and remember adversity is positive.
Keep your guard up. Never put your knees on the ground.
TTFU.
Phoenix Pride Forever
Anthony & Tracy
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