|
Martial Arts History :
I’ve been been practicing Tae Kwon Do since 1982 and achieved 1st Dan in 1987 with the Ji Do Kwan, run locally in East Anglia by Master Richard Cox and club Instructor John Wright. Following a break up of the Association shortly afterwards, I joined the UKASKO / UKMAF in 1988 and was promoted to 2nd Dan in 1990. My Dan grading successes have culminated in my promotion to 5th Dan, following a technical grading, in 2004.
Apart from a 5th Dan Black Belt, I’m a qualified Black belt examiner for the UKMAF and I undertake many Dan Gradings. Also holding a level 3 coaching course qualification (coaching assessment officer) I conduct annual Instructor Coaching courses.
I’ve been in the UKMAF top ten Instructors since 1997, in the top five since 2001 and in the top two since 2003. This level of success has been made possible with the help and co- oporation of Instructors David Robb 5th Dan and Chris Hemstock 4th Dan. My success as Chief Instructor can be measured by the success of our Clubs students – which amongst the 95 Black Belt Dan Grade passes include 59 - 1st Dans, 22 - 2nd Dans, 9 - 3rd Dans, 3 - 4th Dans and 2 - 5th Dan Black Belts. Despite my role as a Dan Grading Officer, I insist on all the Clubs Black Belt candidates being examined by a respected and non-biased examiner – which has been United Kingdom Martial Arts Federation Chairman Sensei Stanhope. 8th Dan Black Belt
I founded Saracen Martial Arts in 1985 with Ray Morley, a serving NCO in the RAF. Following Ray’s departure to foreign soils, I took over the running of Saracen Martial Arts in 1988 with the capable assistance of Saracen’s First Black Belt, Dave Robb, now 5th Dan.
Saracen Martial Arts has created ‘An Encyclopaedia of Tae Kwon Do’ CD ROM with the help of producer Dr Phil Davies and large numbers have been sold over the world.
I’m happily married to Teresa and have 3 children- Portia (6), Connor (4) and Sadie (1). Portia has been training for a year and has achieved 6th Kup (Green Belt).
|
