The Club website has been put together in my spare time and what began
as a personal learning project at home has turned into the work in progress you see today.
Taking a look at my martial arts experiences, my earliest interest in the arts which I recall was
(as with many people) influenced by seeing Bruce Lee with all his power and speed.
So off I went to a Karate class run locally, yeah I think a lot of people and even now thought what he did was called 'Karate'.
This
interest as I remember was short lived and over the years I tried a bit
of taekwondo, hapkido and judo.
In 1989 I joined a local Kung Fu class training under Duncan Pollett an
Instructor in Lau Gar Kung Fu.
I trained in the Southern Chinese Boxing art on and off for 4 years gaining
purple sash grade.
Grading system being similar to most japanese arts.
It wasn't till 1996 that I commenced training in Ju Jitsu under Sensei Raymond Gallagher,
a man who I now know was one of Sensei Frank Watson's senior grades.
After
attaining my green belt I had a further period of absence from training.
I am now a regular student at Coatbridge Ju Jitsu and Kobudo Club where
Sensei Frank Watson is Senior Coach / Assessor.
In addition to my syllabus work I am receiving instruction in weapons.
A few years before I began my Kung Fu training I met and married my beloved wife Alison in 1987.
She has supported me, as she always does, in all that I do.
We
now have 2 sons, Ross born in 1989 and Jason born in 1991, both of whom
we are very proud of.
Jason was a full time Junior member/ Junior leader at the Club,currently
not training.
Ross also has a grade attained at the club but at the moment is not training
either.
I have had a varied working history over the years including salesperson, warehouse stock controller, decorator, nurse and carer.
My hobbies and interests include most things sci-fi, computers / new technology and online gaming, motorsport and ofcourse ju jitsu and all fighting arts in general.
Sincere thanks and appreciation go firstly to my wife Alison for helping me on present and past ventures and life challenges ,
Sensei
Watson for his martial arts expertise and his wife Jacqui for providing
photo and written assistance on the club website.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Sensei Michael McDonald and Sensei Raymond Gallagher for there martial arts instruction and Andy Coyle ( Sensei Coyle of Takaryu Karate Scotland ) for help on the website.
I suppose I have many more people to thank for lots more but then again it has to stop somewhere.
Gratitude
goes to all involved with the running of the club in giving me the opportunity
to showcase the club on the internet and for my very much appreciated Recognition
Award as the Club's Official Website Administrator which I received in December
2003.
I am proud to be a part of this club that has continued to provide a quality source of martial arts instruction attracting the interest of people from many other martial arts and all walks of life.
Regards To All !!!!!!!!!
Tom Miller ( Tommy )
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since 01 / 12 / 04