ATMA

General Details

'Not very ladylike, is it?' That was the reaction of my mother when, back in 1984, I announced that I was starting karate. I have to say that, along with the car racing and parachuting, I'd never been very ladylike and once I'd sampled my first class, I was hooked! It's been a great journey which I hope will continue for many years yet. I began my career in Shotokan karate with Sensei Dev Barratt, going on through the next 13 years with Sensei Rick Jackson, Sensei Mick Jackson, Sensei Pat Murray, Sensei Mick Billman and many other great Shotokan people. We trained with fervour and travelled the country doing tournaments during the days of Frank Brennan, Terry O'Neill, Andy Sherry, Bob Poynton, Ronnie Christopher, etc. I feel privileged to have been able to witness these legends first hand in their heyday. In all that time, I'd only taken time out for the birth of my children, Laura and Chris, so when serious injury struck in late 1997, I was devastated to find myself having to take an extended break. Two years of hell ensued - both of my parents fell ill and died - so one wonders whether some things are meant to be. At least the break gave me the time and space to nurse them and do what had to be done, but it left me at the start of a new millennium looking for a new direction.

That direction was given to me by my daughter, Laura. After years of travelling around the training venues and tournament halls, never showing any interest whatsoever, she announced that she would like to try a martial art! I considered a return to Shotokan, but that would mean that I would be way ahead of Laura and I wanted to make the journey alongside her. So we looked around and found Tang Soo Do. I've been practising Tang Soo Do now for 8 years - I began with Master Tony Johnson and came up through his ranks rather too quickly! He knew my old Sensei and knew the sort of training I'd undergone as he'd trained with him also. I split from Johnson's Tang Soo Do in late 2006 and, together with 6 other instructors, formed the ATMA. Since the split, we've had the opportunity to train with Tang Soo Do Masters and Grandmasters from around the world and starting travelling around the circuit of seminars and tournaments available to us, opening up a whole new world to our students. We also encourage our students to cross-train in other arts to broaden their understanding and appreciation of the vast world of martial arts. I believe that there is an art for everyone and an instructor for everyone - you just have to be prepared to look carefully enough.

I love what I do - and people tell me that it shows in my teaching. I've been fortunate enough to work with some great people and I hope that my cup never becomes too full to take in any more. There's a big world of martial arts out there and we should all be free to sample whatever we choose - that way you can find what you're looking for.

I currently have classes in Bedworth, Coventry, Redditch and Northampton. For your FREE trial call me on 07703 345210 or email on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Tang Soo!

Classes Taught

Bedworth

Coventry

Redditch

Northampton

Nuneaton