International Instructors

I first became interested in Martial Arts as a child watching David Carradine in the TV series “Kung Fu”.

I like many others suffered at the hands of school bullies which probably wasn’t helped by the fact my mouth seemed to have a mind of its own and my unfiltered thoughts often escaped from it resulting in much more anger from the bullies, once their small minds had realized I was actually making fun of them.

Watching Carradine’s character “Caine” deal with all the injustice and the bullies of the world made me wish I could do the same but coming from a poor background my parents weren’t in a position to send me to a martial arts lesson of any sort.

Fast forward 25 years and my eldest son had just started school when the dreaded bullying raised its ugly head again, this time my five year old son was the victim.

Fortunately, I was in a position that I could do something about it and after seeing a flyer for Tae Kwon-Do I enrolled my son, Liam, into a club run by a very nice chap called Mr Richard Auciello. He loved it.

I wanted my youngest son Jamie to start but he was too shy to start on his own so after being tricked into it one New Years Eve I agreed to start with him.

I never looked back.

In 2006 all of my hard work paid off and I gained my 1st Degree Black Belt at the ripe old age of 38.

I was amazed at getting to this level but I was hungry for more. I went on to gain my 2nd degree and then my 3rd Degree in 2011.

In 2019 I took part in the hardest grading I’ve ever taking. Mentally and physically exhausting.

I was rewarded the following day and was presented with my 4th Degree International Grade by Grand Master Oldham.

I still have to pinch myself some days to believe that this mouthy kid that got beat up every day has achieved what I once believed to be the impossible.

Passing on the knowledge I have gained over the years has always been the most rewarding aspect of my journey. Being an Instructor and having helped run clubs in Stamford, Oakham and Bourne for the past 17 years under Master Auciello, I feel I have found my true vocation in life.

Over the years I have been an assistant coach with the England Squad and I am currently the Merchandising Officer for the GTUK dealing with the association ties and lapel badges.

I am immensely proud to be part of the GTUK and train under Grand Master Oldham and my mentor and friend Master Auciello, and to have done it with my two boys and played a part in their Tae Kwon-Do journey as they are now 2nd and 3rd Degree’s respectively.

Although age hasn’t been particularly kind to my body, the spirit and determination that drives me forward has never waned and deep inside that mouthy kid has become a lot more thoughtful and respectful (but I still dislike bullies).