Meet Our Skilled Taekwon-Do Instructors

Our team of highly experienced and fully qualified instructors are dedicated to providing the highest quality of traditional martial arts training. All of our instructors are fully insured and DBS checked, giving you peace of mind knowing you are in safe hands.

We are registered with the United Kingdom Taekwon-Do Association and International Taekwon-Do Federation, as well as the British Taekwon-Do Council, which is recognized by the UK Sports Council as the governing body for Taekwon-Do.

Our instructors bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our classes, ensuring that each student receives personalized attention and guidance. Get to know our team and their qualifications, and discover the passion they bring to teaching the art of Taekwon-Do.

Mr Christopher Black

V Degree, International Instructor, Founder

Founder and chief instructor of NEST Taekwon-Do. With over 35 years of experience in Taekwon-Do, Mr. Black is a highly accomplished International Instructor and A Class Umpire. His passion for Taekwon-Do and expertise as a competitor and instructor make him a valuable mentor and guide to all who train with him at NEST.

Mr. Black’s impressive accomplishments in Taekwon-Do include being a National, European, and World Champion, and Multi-European Silver/Bronze medalist. He has represented Wales for over 25 years as an International Competitor, earning many National, International, European, and World titles. In addition to his competitive success, Mr. Black is a highly respected International A Class Umpire, Examiner, and Chief Instructor.

At NEST Taekwon-Do, Mr. Black shares his wealth of experience and knowledge with students of all ages and abilities. His dedication to the art of Taekwon-Do and his commitment to helping others achieve their goals make him an outstanding leader in the martial arts community.

instructor@nest-tkd.com

Mr Rick Bairstow

I Degree, Assistant Instructor

Meet Mr. Bairstow, our assistant instructor at NEST Taekwon-Do. With nearly a decade of training and experience competing at a national level, Mr. Bairstow is a dedicated instructor who is committed to helping his students develop their technical abilities and mental strength. As an ITF I Degree Black Belt, he assists with teaching at all of our venues across Teesside and is an important member of our team.

Mr. Bairstow also contributes to the management of NEST Taekwon-Do by helping to run and manage the website and digital platforms. He understands the importance of technology in modern martial arts and works tirelessly to ensure that our online presence is professional and effective. Mr. Bairstow is a valuable asset to our team, and his dedication to teaching and commitment to progress are evident in his work. His contributions to NEST Taekwon-Do go beyond his role as an assistant instructor, and we are grateful to have him as part of our team.

In addition to his work at NEST Taekwon-Do, Mr. Bairstow also served on the Taekwon-Do committee for Teesside University’s Taekwon-Do club, helping to organise and run various events and activities. He is a passionate martial artist who is always looking for ways to improve and grow both personally and professionally.

rbairstow@nest-tkd.com

Mr Marc Matthews

I Degree, Assistant Instructor

Mr Matthews is a dedicated I degree C class instructor who brings a strong sense of discipline and authority to his classes at NEST Taekwon-Do. With several national medals to his name, Marc has been training in Taekwon-Do since 2012 and is passionate about passing on his knowledge and experience to his students.

As an instructor, Marc’s focus is on helping his students achieve their full potential by pushing them to be their best selves through hard work and dedication. He places a great emphasis on developing his students’ technical abilities and mental strength, as well as creating a supportive and respectful training environment. Marc’s commitment to his students is evident in his teaching style and the progress his students make under his guidance.

At NEST Taekwon-do, Marc is a valuable member of the team and an important part of our community. His dedication and expertise as an instructor make him a role model to his students and a respected figure within the Taekwon-do community.

Our Accomplished Black Belt Members

We are proud to have a talented group of junior and adult black belts who are not currently instructing, but are valued members of our team. These individuals have demonstrated exceptional dedication to the art of Taekwon-Do, and have achieved the high level of proficiency necessary to earn their black belts.

While some of our junior black belts are not yet at the age where they instruct, they still play an important role in the development of our school. They serve as role models to our younger students, and inspire them to continue their training and strive for excellence. Our adult black belts bring a wealth of experience and expertise to our classes, and help to foster a culture of hard work and dedication.

We believe that our black belts are not just skilled practitioners of Taekwon-Do, but also leaders in our community. They embody the values of discipline, respect, and perseverance, and serve as examples for others to follow. We are grateful to have such a dedicated group of black belts as part of the NEST Taekwon-Do team.

  • Mr Paul Bateman, II Degree
  • Miss Nicole Olagesin, II Degree
  • Miss Jasmin Kelly, I Degree
  • Mr Shay Barritt, I Degree
  • Mr Richard Lucas, I Degree
  • Mr Michael Adetunji, I Degree
  • Mr Perrie Osborn, I Degree
  • Mr Kian Kane, I Degree
  • Mr Alex Esplin, I Degree
  • Miss Marina Leiper, I Degree
  • Mr Henry Leiper, I Degree
  • Mr Cole Addison, I Degree
  • Mr Fraser Black, I Degree
  • Miss Imogen Black, I Degree
  • Mr Kallum Locker, I Degree
  • Miss Grace Golightly, I Degree
  • Mr Oscar Barrett, I Degree
  • Miss Beth Price, I Degree
  • Mr Luke Brough, I Degree
  • Miss Chloe Simpson, I Degree
  • Mr Alex Styan