International Instructors

I started my Tae Kwon-do journey with a different association. I began in my early teens when a friend of the family set up his own club and asked me to go along so that he had at least 1 person. Fortunately I wasn’t his only member, the club still goes to this day, but I did instantly fall in love with this martial art.

Very quickly I was training all the hours available, and being the senior grade at my club I was permitted to travel to other clubs to get the higher level of tuition I needed. I also discovered I was keen on competition – the training, pushing myself and seeing the higher standards. Because of this I attended (and medalled in) several regional and national competitions throughout my time as a colour belt and as a black belt.

My first competition as a black belt was an open World championships, when I had just transitioned from junior to adult status too – quite the opener. Very inspiring.

I trained with this association for a long while, achieving black belt in 2007 and 2nd degree in 2009. Along the way though I had started training with the GTUK while at Loughborough university, under the fantastic instruction of Mr Andrew Holmes, and on occasion Mr Darren Holmes too. During this time I also met my now husband, Alex, who had joined the Tae Kwon-do club there. Upon graduating we had the hard decision to make about which association to continue with in the future.

We both committed ourselves to the GTUK – and while it was hard to tell my original instructor that I was leaving – it is a decision I haven’t regretted.

Alex and I opened up our own GTUK club in Sutton Coldfield in 2014 and I find a great pride in being an instructor; watching our students grow in their own techniques and confidence.

I still train myself all the hours going – including taking the weekly drive to still train with Mr Holmes in Derby – whose support, guidance and instruction has been invaluable. Due to my commitment to GTUK seminars, training and squad as well as the guidance this brings from the other senior members of the association, I have made rapid progress in all elements of Tae Kwon-do. I have been honoured with the title of GTUK England ladies team captain since 2015 – and with the GTUK I have won regional, national, European and World titles both individually and as a team.

I took my 4th degree black belt grading in November 2018, and look forward to continuing my Tae Kwon-do journey with the GTUK, it’s senior grades and all of it’s members.

Promoted to 5th degree 22nd April 2023