Instructors
Mr Russ Martin, 5th Dan
Mr Russ Martin is a fifth Dan black belt with the Tae Kwon-do Association of Great Britain. He has been a full time professional instructor in Bristol for 20 years.
Mr Martin is a fully qualified instructor with the T.A.G.B. and a qualified coach with the National Coaching Federation, whose qualifications are recognised by the Sports Council of Great Britain.
For a three year period, he was the competition coach for the Bristol Academy of Tae Kwon-do during which time they won the English Championships each year. Also, on many of their visits to compete in Great Britain, he has coached the South African International squad.
To date, he has taught over a hundred and thirty men, women and children to black belt level and a few beyond.
In recent years Mr Martin has specialised in 'Applied TaeKwon-Do', which is the practical application of TaeKwon-Do techniques for real life self-defence. He has a reputation as being the man to ask when you want to know applications for any of the TaeKwon-Do techniques!
His favourite colour is green. He likes large motorcycles. Black ones.
Mr Andy Schwartz, 3rd Dan
Mr Schwartz is a qualified instructor running his own club in Thornbury, South Gloucestershire. He trains with and helps Mr Martin teach when necessary.
Recently achieving his 3rd Dan, Mr Schwartz has been training with Mr Martin since 1992!
When he first commenced training, Mr Schwartz was a Karate black belt, running his own Shotokan club in Bristol. He initially came looking for fresh ideas, but liked what he found and switched to TaeKwon-Do completely. Once he had achieved his TaeKwon-Do black belt he took over the running of Thornbury TaeKwon-Do from Mr Martin.
Within the TAGB he is a much respected referee, frequently found refereeing at local and national competitions.
He brings many strengths to our clubs; as a Karate practitioner, he trained under one of the most famous names of Shotokan Karate, Master Kanazawa.
Mr Schwartz is famed for his sense of humour!
Mr Stuart Smith, 2nd Dan
Mr Smith helps instruct at the Bradley Stoke club mainly. He has trained under many different instructors throughout the country before coming to Mr Martin as a fully qualified instructor.
He brings ideas and influences that he has gained training under many different instructors. His teaching style can be very different to Mr Martin's and as such strengthens the clubs. He is particularly good at teaching kicking (it's the long legs!!).
Amongst many other things, he is Scottish.
Mr Mike Phillips, 1st Dan
'Big' Mike has won the world championships (black belt heavyweight) twice in his tournament career, and has been the heavyweight on the TAGB England team. He is a qualified fitness instructor as well as a fully qualified TaeKwon-Do instructor, and has a LOT to teach! He also has very dodgy taste in sandals....
Mr Paddy Edwards, 1st Dan
Paddy is a student of the Bristol South club, and a fully qualified 1st Dan instructor. He is a strong all-rounder and can teach syllabus, applications or sport technique – people enjoy his lessons!
Mr Luke Parker, 1st Dan
Luke is a newly qualified instructor, he has been assisting teaching the children’s classes and helping with adult beginners in Southville for some time. He is an enthusiastic coach and a good and clear communicator. He does actually have arms...!!
Mr Mike Chapman, 1st Dan
Mike is also a newly qualified instructor from the Southville club. With his wife Fran he is well known in Bristol North where they have both been assisting for some time. He has a lot of experience with beginners and coloured belts and is a confident and authoritative instructor.
