Gordon Jones, 6th Dan, Shihan.
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Gordon Jones Shihan began his Aikido training in 1964 and was a founder member of the Aikikai of Great Britain (later to become the BAF) and the UKA. He was a National Coach with the BAF and represented the BAF at the IAF congress held in Paris in 1980. He is recognised as a Senior Coach by the British Aikido Board. Following the formation of the UKA Mr Jones became Shidoin and co-Principal; this was followed by his promotion to 6th Dan in 2004 by Chiba Shihan. He was informed of his promotion to Shihan (Master Teacher) on Sunday 21st January 2007 at Ren Shin Kan. Jones Shihan travels abroad regularly to teach in Serbia Greece and is technical director of the Australasia Aikikia in Sydney. Sensei is Shidoin within Ren Shin Kan House. |
Peter Brady, 6th Dan, Shihan.
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Peter Brady Sensei Started Aikido in 1969 at Hall Green Technical college. In 1970 joined the Birmingham Athletic Institute and attained Shodan with that organisation in 1973. At this time also practised and later affiliated to the West Midlands Aikikai (part of the then Aikikai of Great Britain). Attained recognition for Shodan from Chiba Sensei in 1976. Nidan in 1978 and Sandan in 1984with Shibata Sensei. 1987 saw promotion to Yondan again by Chiba Sensei. In 1996, Peter was promoted to the rank of Godan in Stourbridge West Midlands – again through Chiba Sensei's authority. Peter was promoted to Rokudan in 2003 and is a Shidoin (Hombu recognised Senior teacher) with the United Kingdom Aikikai and also holds the position of Senior Coach and Children's Coach within the British Aikido Board (the Government recognised authority for the teaching of Aikido in Great Britain). In January 2010, Peter was awarded the rank of Shihan. Brady Sensei is the chief instructor for five independently run clubs: Two in Solihull, One in Birmingham central, One in Shrewsbury and One in Slough. As a result of Chiba Sensei's influence Peter has a strong interest in the weapon side of Aikido and also in the art of Sword drawing known as Iaido. He holds the rank of Sandan with the British Kendo Federation and regularly teaches the Art at his own club. |
Keith Hayward, 6th Dan, Shihan.
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Keith Hayward Sensei started Aikido in 1968 at the Y.M.C.A. in Wellington, Shropshire. He was a member of the Aikikai of Great Britain and the British Aikido Federation (BAF) through the West Midlands Aikikai to the UKA. He started Oakengates Aikido Club (Ken Mon Kan) in 1977, was promoted to Fukushidoin (Assistant National Coach) in the UKA and further awarded the position of Shidoin (Senior National Coach), in 1990. Mr Hayward formed the Shropshire Aikido Federation in 1992 which later became Te Shin Kai in 1993, which is one of the four houses within the UKA. Te Shin Kai has a number of dojos across the UK including Cambridge, Cleethorpes, Shrewsbury and the Isle of Wight. Sensei regularly travels the UK teaching at Te Shin Kai clubs. Sensei has also travelled to teach in Greece and Lesvos. Hayward Sensei was promoted to the rank of 6th Dan in 2003, he was awarded the rank of Shihan at the Hombu 2010 Kigami Birakai promotions. |
Philip Smith, 6th Dan, Shihan.
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Philip Smith, 6th Dan Hombu Shidoin, is one of the senior instructors of the United Kingdom Aikikai. He teaches regularly at Ren Shin Kan, UKA national courses and at the annual Summer School and the son of Ren Shin Kan and UKA founder William Smith Shihan MBE who died in 2006. He is unusual in his early age of starting training (aged 9), and wide travels with Aikido. In 1988 he represented the UKA at the International Aikido Federation Congress in Tanabe Japan and was privileged to be present at the unveiling of the statue of O Sensei commissioned to commemorate the centenary of his birth. Philip began his Iai-do training in ca. 1972 and gained 3rd Dan with the British Kendo Association in 1988. He continues to train and teach Iai-do at Ren Shin Kan with the assistance of Karl Gibbons (2nd Dan BKA). |
Peter Brown, 6th Dan, Shidoin.
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Sensei Brown began Aikido in Leicester at Secular Hall Dojo in 1966 at the age of nine. During the period on 1966-79, Sensei received regular instruction from Sensei Fred Brown (no relation) and from Sensei W. Smith from 1987. During 1966 - 1977 Sensei Brown was instructed by Chiba Sensei on a regular basis at Leicester as well as other parts of the country where Sensei Brown would travel to be with Chiba Sensei. In 1979 Sensei became one of the founding members of the Leicester Aikido Society, whilst also at this Sensei became the Chief Instructor of the Leicester Aikido Society. In 1987 Sensei joined the United Kingdom Aikikai. Under the instruction of Sensei W. Smith, and decided that it would be best to retake his Shodan to have it recognised by Hombu. In 1990 Sensei Brown was awarded Fukushidoin and also became a B.A.B Senior Coach in August. When April of 1996 came round, Sensei became a qualified childrens coach. On the 23rd of Jan 2000 Sensei W. Smith promoted Sensei Brown to Shidoin; two years later Sensei was promoted to his current rank of Godan (5th Dan) and in August 2004 Sensei Brown became a House Shidoin by having his club promoted to House status within the UKA. Sensei Brown was awarded the rank of 6th Dan in January 2010. |
Michael Smith, 6th Dan, Shidoin.
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Michael Smith began practising Aikido in 1968 with Mr W.J. Smith M.B.E, that year he was promoted to 5th Kyu on his first grading. It was later this year he met Chiba Sensei and soon realised that this was the path of Martial Arts training he wanted to take. On being promoted to 3rd Kyu on his second grading by Chiba Sensei in early 1969, (this is when he joined the Aikikai of Great Britain) he embarked on almost eight years of dynamic concentrated training in Bokken, Jo, Bo, Iaido and of course the body art itself. These years with Chiba Sensei, and under the strict instruction of Mr Smith gave him and many others a good realisation of Aikido, making the foundations of what is practised and taught today. Already being 1st Kyu he was given permission to wear Hakama in 1973 and then promoted to Shodan in 1974. His progression took him to 6th Dan in January 2010 by the way of 2nd Dan in 1989, 3rd Dan in 1993, 4th Dan in 1996, and 5th Dan in 2002. Gaining his coaching qualifications on the way, he was awarded awarded Fukushidoin in 1989, Senior Coach in 1994 and Coach Tutor for the British Aikido Board in 1995. In January 2000 he was promoted to Shidoin. Michael Smith is a Senior Instructor at the U.K.A. Headquarters Dojo (Ren Shin |
Guy Needler, 5th Dan, Fukushidoin.
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Guy started practising Aikido within the Aikido Fellowship in 1982, receiving instruction from Ronald Naven, he then joined the West Midlands Aikikai and the BAF in January 1984, receiving instruction from Mr William Smith. He was promoted to Shodan in 1988, Nidan in 1993 by Chiba Sensei, Sandan in 1995 and Yondan in 1999 by Mr W Smith and the UKA Shidoin during UKA Summer Schools. More recently he was promoted to Godan by Mr Gordon Jones-shihan and the UKA Shidoin during UKA summer school, Newport in 2009. Guy was Mr Smiths Kenshusei and later Ukedeshi from January 1986 until January 2002. During this time he was recognised as his longest serving assistant to date and benefited significantly from his instruction. During his years as Mr Smith's assistant he travelled with, and aided, Mr Smith at courses he has taken all over the British Isles. Guy set up his own dojo, Wa Shin Kan, in January 2001 and also teaches Aikido in North East Worc's College. As part of his commitment to the progression of his own development he currently attends classes hosted by Mr Gordon Jones-shihan on a weekly basis. Additionally, he visits The Hong Kong Aikido Association on a yearly basis maintaining the links between the UKA and HKAA that Mr W Smith-shihan and Mr K Cottier-shihan shared. He visited Hombu Dojo in 2007 with additional visits already planned in 2009 and 2011. Guys brief Aikido CV can be viewed here and his extended CV here. |
