eskrima team and well respected technical fighters and practitioners of FMA. John was also one of the originators of the Black Eagle Society - a non-ego, non-competitive forum for stickfighters to test their techniques in as close-to-reality setting as possible. Only gloves, helmet and groin guard are permitted and all strikes are legal e.g. thrusts, punches, kicks, headbutts, and if the combants go to the ground, grappling and striking are used, with or without the stick. For information on Black Eagles contact John.
John has been the Great Britain Team Coach since 1994. He is probably the most successful coach in the sport of eskrima of all time. The 4th WEKAF European Championships held in Bristol 2001 culminated in the GB Team winning 14 gold medals, their greatest haul ever, to help them win the team championship for the fourth time straight. This was further surpassed in 2002 in London at the 7th WEKAF World Championships when the 30 strong team took the overall winners trophy, narrowly beating the 60+ USA team. The GB team took over 20 gold medals, their greatest tally to date. In 2004 John Harvey led the GB team to 3rd place in the World Championships in Cebu, then in 2005 to victory in winning the most medals in the European Championships in Berlin. The continued success of the GB Team can in no small way be attributed to the coaching ability of John Harvey.
After much thought and deliberation it was felt by John and his instructors that he needed to go his own way to further expand and develop. In February 2001 Kapatiran Arnis - the Brotherhood of Arnis - was formed. Since it's inception Kapatiran Arnis has continued to grow.
John Harvey is currently 9th Degree Black Belt Instructor, Grand Master of Kapatiran Arnis and GB Team Coach.