Footy tipping: it's a bit like betting, only more fun because no money is outlaid or lost.

Yes, the 2010 NRL season is again upon us and individuals and businesses nationwide have once again registered in local tipping competitions.

Local karate guru Richard Marlin is one such businessman; he's the owner and Chief Instructor at Success Martial Arts Black Belt Academy in Lismore (northern NSW), one of the most successful martial arts schools in Australia.

Apart from seeing thousands of fit, healthy, happy kids (and adults) climb the martial arts ranks under his direction, for several years Richard has also entered his school in the local newspaper’s NRL footy tipping competition. In this particular competition this year, whichever business tips the most wins and gains the most points is awarded a trip for two to the NRL Grand Final - tickets included.

But instead of tipping just for fun or to win the big prize as most other individuals/organisations do, Richard has decided his business will go about their tipping in a somewhat more creative, altruistic way - a way that won’t just benefit the boss if his business wins.

"Normally I make it a family exercise - my daughter Josephine has been the tipster for the last  four years - but she'll be away in Italy this season," Richard said.

"Instead, I've asked 32 black belt holders from the Success Martial Arts dojo, aged from eight to 55, to take their turn tipping all 26 rounds and they're very excited to be taking part, especially if it's for a charitable cause."

You see, if the Success Martial Arts black belt exponents win this year’s Footy Tipping competition, they will have to fight it out in a charity fundraising martial arts tournament to determine who wins the big prize - a package for two to attend the grand final.

“It’ll be a great team-building exercise for the black belts and if they win, we should be able to raise some big bucks for local charity at our own charity tournament!” What a smashing idea!

Focused on football: Black belts in the Noble family - Jake, Lindsay (back) Renee and Courtney - have joined the Success Martial Arts tipping team.

Richard said he’s confident his black belts will tip the winners.

“They’re champions in life, not just in martial arts,” Richard said. “Their years of martial arts training have given them all the confidence and skills they’ve needed not just to reach their ultimate goal of becoming a black belt, but to achieve any goal in any aspect of life – work, study you name it! They’ve got great focus and concentration skills, loads of confidence and strong instincts and I think all those skills will be very useful when it comes to tipping the winners this NRL season!"

It’s great to come across local businessmen like Richard, who are open to thinking outside the square and not making their own bottom line the top priority. “I try to do as many community and charity activities as I can. Entering this competition is about working together as a team towards a common goal: to help the needy in our community, so with those goals in mind, we aim to tip lots of winning games this NRL season!”

What a great idea and good luck to the black belts from the Success Martial Arts dojo!

Ideas Man: Richard, known about town as 'the karate guy'

Posted: Thursday March 11, 2010