6th Dan · Chief Instructor & Founder

Born in 1964 and raised in Coffs Harbour, I began Tae Kwon Do in 1976 at age 12, joining a newly opened club under the Australian Tae Kwon Do Institute. Inspired by my instructor and his technical, effortless style, I quickly found that the kicking focus suited my tall, lanky build.

As a Yellow Belt, I entered my first tournament at Brisbane’s St Lucia University, placing 4th and gaining a new appreciation for high-level competition. A training camp at Cabarita Beach soon followed, sealing my commitment to Tae Kwon Do.

In 1979, after my instructor left Coffs Harbour, I kept the club running as a Blue Belt Brown Tip, travelling monthly to train intensively. These demanding sessions across multiple locations helped shape my early development.

I earned my Black Belt on 2nd May 1981 at just 17, an uncommon achievement at the time, especially while teaching. The club grew rapidly, leading me to open an additional class in Woolgoolga. Seeking further progression, I moved to Brisbane in 1983, attaining my 2nd Dan on 30th May. During this time, my flexibility and kicking ability became defining traits, influenced by Bill “Superfoot” Wallace.

Following the formation of the Australian Freestyle Tae Kwon Do Academy in 1984, I began teaching full-time across Brisbane’s south side. I competed throughout the mid-80s, achieving a national ranking as high as 6th and earning the nickname “Bonus Point King” for head-height kicking. In 1986, I gained international recognition through a Mu Duk Kwan Certificate under Master Pyung Yon Moon, and on 25th July 1987, I achieved my 3rd Dan at age 23.

Through the late 80s and early 90s, I expanded teaching to Brisbane’s north side, establishing our long-running class in Kallangur. In 1992, I was featured in Australasian Fighting Arts magazine, and in 1993 became an Executive Committee Member of AFTA and Chief Instructor for Queensland. By 1994, I was running multiple classes with over 100 students and was awarded my 4th Dan on 2nd December.

In 1996, following internal conflicts within AFTA, I founded the Institute of Modern Tae Kwon Do. The organisation grew strongly, including expansion into New South Wales in 1998.

A decade later, on 8th December 2006, I attained my 5th Dan, creating space for the next generation of instructors to rise. Continuing that progression, I achieved my 6th Dan in May 2016, marking another significant milestone in a lifelong journey of development and leadership.

Tae Kwon Do has become more than a discipline; it has shaped my life. The opportunity to teach, the achievements earned, and the lifelong friendships formed all stem from that first step onto the mat in 1976.