Instructors
Your Senior Instructor
Senior Instructor, 5th Degree Black Belt Katie Billingham began Tae Kwon-Do at the age of 12, first training in WTF Style for 3 years then moving to TAGB Tae Kwon-Do to train under Master Vince Farquharson at TAGB Kidderminster club. Years later Katie founded Bewdley TAGB, together with Vince, to begin West Midlands Taekwondo which ran successfully for 10 years in the area. As the clubs continued to grow, Wyre Forest Taekwondo was formed offering more classes more frequently in the Wyre Forest.
ACHIEVEMENTS & QUALIFICATIONS
- 2018
- Hosted the Kemp Hospice Charity Championship, the first TAGB Intraclub tournament in the area, and raised over £500.
- 2nd overall Grand Champion in the Power Event at the South East Championship.
- Ran the Top Table at the Taekwondo World Championships, led the media team including liasing with BBC and ITV and organised national media coverage for the event.
- Became a published health, fitness and well being author at Raring to Go magazine.
- 2017 Qualified in the top 3 out of over 600 black belts to attain her 5th Degree.
- 2016 Tournament successes include 3 bronze medals, and a Silver medal, losing out to GB Taekwondo’s Amy Truesdale by just one point in the patterns event
- Achieved black belt in 2003, 2nd degree in 2005, 3rd degree in 2008, 4th degree in 2012 (Top 6 in grade)
- Outstanding Achievement in Taekwondo Award 2013
- Fully qualified Umpire and Referee.
- Head of the Top Table at National Events
- Fully qualified and REPS (Register of Exercise Professionals) registered fitness instructor, Boxercise Instructor, Aerobics, & personal trainer.
- DBS checked, First aid trained
- Contact Katie to ask about one-to-one/ private group sessions on 07885293088.
Chris Rayment-Bishop
Chris Rayment-Bishop is our highest ranking Black Belt at 3rd Degree, a qualified Instructor and regular teacher of our Saturday sessions. Chris is our most precise technician and is the man to ask for fine tuning technique. Chris regularly competes in pattern divisions in tournaments and continues to be an outstanding student while supporting his club as an Instructor.
Pictured above, second from left, Chris took a medal at the Taekwondo World Championships at the Birmingham Arena in July 2018.
Tom Smith
Tom Smith is a Second Degree Black Belt who brings a fantastic energy to the club! He has great jumping kicks and is a talented sparer. He works fantastically with adults and children alike. You will also meet Mrs Smith, Charlie, who was inspired to join when she first met Tom and has now earned her Black Belt alongside her Husband.
Arti Shah
Arti Shah is Hagley Taekwondo's regular Assistant Instructor. A fully qualified and practising physio, you are in good hands when Arti is in charge.
Arti is a local mum who has completed her journey to black belt along with her husband and daughters Rhianna and Anuschka who often assist her when she teaches a class.
A regular competitor since day one, Arti has now moved into the Black Belt divisions at tournaments where she regularly brings back medals.
Bill Middup-Jones
Bill Middup-Jones joined Wyre Forest Taekwondo as an already qualified 2nd degree Black Belt. Having grown dissatisfied with his previous club he sought a club that would provide a good balance of all the aspects of the art, give a structure and discipline to his training, but also allow him the freedom to develop his love of application of the art into street smart self-defence.
After trialing many schools, Bill, alongside his daughter and co-assistant instructor Robyn, decided that Wyre Forest Taekwondo was the place for them.
The pair fitted in as if they had always been with the club and quickly assumed positions of responsibility. Robyn has now qualified with the TAGB as a second dan, and Bill is in training for his 3rd Dan in April. They are regular instructors of Monday and Tuesday classes in Bewdley.
Helen Giles, Jessica Giles, Manuela Birchley, Laura North, Danka Chorostowska
These are our class assistants in our little ninjas sessions. We have lots of helpers here to make sure your little ones get plenty of help and support as they start their Taekwondo journey.
All of the ladies are mums themselves, with children training in the group. We welcome more helpers in this group, especially from older children as they can be a great inspiration to the little ones while helping to boost their own confidence and skills too!
Even More Support
Paul Chesterton
Paul Chesterton is a 4th Degree Black Belt, and the Instructor of TAGB Wombourne. He trains regularly with our club and is a born Instructor. He loves to help others and regularly supports TAGB Wyre Forest students in class. You are welcome to train with Paul on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Please ask for more information
Instructors In Training
We currently have 4 regular Assistant Instructors, and 4 more set to qualify with in the year. A further 10 are currently on our Instructors training program and often help out with small groups or individuals who need a little extra help.
Taekwondo is a challenging sport, but we are a close team and there is always someone in class to give you a bit of extra help and support when you need it!
Instructor Training Program
We are team players here at Wyre Forest Taekwondo. We believe not only in being our best but in helping others to be their best too! 2018 saw the launch of our Instructors training program which allows people to start to develop these skills for them and for others. This program is open to ALL and provides an avenue for personal development for those who are not driven by tournaments. Please ask for more information!