I have trained in the martial arts since 1981, initially Karate and Jiu-Jitsu, opening my first club in 1992 and having the honour of teaching Beverley Knight. In 1994, I started training in Wing Chun Kuen, progressing to join the Midlands Wing Chun Kuen in 1995.
I have travelled to Hong Kong several times to train with some of the top instructors, including Ip Man’s eldest son, Ip Chun.
Ip Chun and Scott, Cheltenham, December 2001
Ip Chun and Scott, Hall Green, Birmingham 2001
VTAA Headquarters, Hong Kong, Ip Man, 2005
Cheltenham Wing Chun Kuen Instructors, Hong Kong, 2005
My passion for the martial arts led to my PhD thesis, exploring the anthropology of the Ip Man lineage of Wing Chun, while similarly exploring the psychological benefits of training.
Although my attempt to detail the anthropological development of Wing Chun has prompted criticism from some quarters (predominantly for challenging non-academic perspectives and assumptions), my thesis has yet proven to be incorrect, furthermore few, if any, have added to the discussion.
I have had the opportunity to work with high-profile frontline security, front-of-house security for large, high-profile establishments, and so forth.
Despite being heavily constrained by osteoarthritis in both knees and hips (mainly caused from overtraining as a teenager in a hard style of karate, along with kickboxing), I have sought ways to maintain my lifelong commitment to the martial arts, predominantly through research, developing a martial arts programme for children, and passing on my knowledge and experience in other ways.
Such approaches demonstrate that even if physically constrained, one can engage with martial arts through different domains: the mental, physical, and spiritual. This has led me to work with the Disability Martial Arts Association (http://www.dmaa.org.uk/) and continue to seek ways in which inclusive martial arts can be beneficial for all.
Qualifications
BCCMA (British Council for Chinese Martial Arts) – Advanced Coach
- BCCMA Safeguarding, 2021
- BCCMA Coach (Level 2), 2003, 2021
- BCCMA Biomechanics (Level 3), 2021
- BCCMA Nutrition (Level 3), 2021
- BCCMA Sport Psychology (Level 3), 2022
- BCCMA Fitness (Level 3), 2022