By NICOLE VALICEK
UNLIKE many other girls at 12, Danielle Bowen didn’t want to be a ballerina, but she had big dreams for her future in jiu-jitsu and was already a junior black belt.
At 16, Danielle has trained in the martial art for 11 years and can’t imagine her life without it, but the amiable Werribee teenager is full of surprises and in-between kicking and punching makes time for her other passions; singing and writing.
Jiu-jitsu is a family affair for the Bowens.
Danielle started classes at six after her mother Mariann attended them for a year.
Her father, Trevor is a three year brown belt and her brother Michael, 14 is a second year junior black belt.
The quiet achiever said jiu-jitsu has helped develop her confidence and wants to be an example to other young women to pursue self-defence.
“You need to be able to protect yourself and be prepared for the outside world and it’s really fun,” Miss Bowen said.
Danielle trains at the Dave Franklin Martial Arts (DFMA) and is the highest ranked Junior Martial Artist for jiu-jitsu in Australia.
“I want to do as well as I can and be able to defend myself in any situation and encourage others (to get involved).”
“She knows the importance of jiu-jitsu for women, she’s learning now that it can be powerful to help women get out of a situation,” Mrs Bowen added.
As well as training in the self-defence sport Danielle coaches aspiring jiu-jitsu children and will get her International Instructor’s license this month.
As for her other interests Danielle admits she gets a strange reaction from friends when she tells them she enjoys jiu-jitsu, singing and writing.
