My daughter started Taekwondo at about 7 ( her auntie won many medals and trophies in it back in the day) along with her older brother, and you are right in that it not only helps them have the skills and confidence to look after themselves as they grow up, when you can't always be there, but also instills discipline. My boxing trainer (schoolboy) had died by the time she was ready to start boxing training, and she never really had the desire to put the gloves on so I never pushed her. A few well placed round kicks to the head were always going to keep her pretty safe if she was attacked and so I was happy anyway.

I also used to do Jiu Jitsu back in the 1980's long before it got to be a foundation of MMA and the UFC and taught her what I could remember from that (mainly balance and how to defend your self when an armed attacker comes from behind). It's important to keep it fun when they are really little so I think you have the right idea mate. My stepson was pushed so into football training by his Dad who meant well that it totally turned him off it and he hates it now