Birmingham Branch, Instructor Support - Nick Sherring (right)

Wing Chun - 5 + years experience
Akido - 5+ Years experience (Black belt Awarded), Tae Kwon Do - 5 years experience

Foreword from Nick:

I began Wing Chun in 2003 after starting martial arts in earnest in 1998. After 5 years of training in Tae Kwon Do, I wanted to change to a style which I felt better suited my physique and natural attributes, but which also had a strong theory and practical application behind it for both fighting (sparring) and self defence.

I had always been interested in Wing Chun from learning about Bruce Lee and others, and was lucky enough to have a club on my doorstep at Birmingham University. As it turned out I was also lucky to have found the best teacher of any martial club I’ve been to (and I’ve been to quite a few in various arts!) in Sifu Abid, and I have enjoyed learning and growing in this beautiful art under his guidance ever since. I never knew punching and chopping people could be such an art form!

I’ve also trained in Aikido during most of my Wing Chun training time, and have found that with the right approach elements of different arts can definitely be brought together to improve your individual martial ability.

This year I have also enjoyed helping with teaching classes. It is rewarding to see beginners start to grasp the principles they are being taught and to cement my own understanding of the principles being passed on. I look forward to many more years of learning and teaching in Wing Chun; as Sifu Abid says, just when you think you’ve cracked it, someone more experienced reminds you that the journey never ends…usually with a fist!

Birmingham Branch, Instructor Support - Dave Beck (left)

Wing Chun - 7+ years experience

Foreword from David:

I decided to take up Wing Chun Kung Fu after briefly attending one of Sifu Abid’s classes in October 2002. At the time I didn’t know anything about Wing Chun. All I knew was that I wanted to start training in a martial art/self defence class as soon as possible.

A few months prior to this I’d been involved in couple of unprovoked attacks on public transport. Needless to say I came off worse on both occasions and for some time after, just going to the shops or walking past a group of people became a problem. My confidence was at rock bottom.

Since I began training with the UKWCKFA under Sifu Abid’s guidance I have benefited on many levels: I’ve gained confidence, improved my fitness, become more conscious of what I’m putting into my body in the first place, and of course, I’ve met some really nice people.

In the future I hope to continue training and improving with the people around me. I realise Wing Chun Kung Fu can be quite demanding especially if you want to make substantial progress. I learnt early on that the phrase “kung fu” actually means “hard work” and perhaps that’s why I find it so absorbing, as no matter what level you’re at each lesson seems to throw up new challenges.

David Beck

Birmingham University Branch, Instructor Support - Kate Archer

Wing Chun - 5+ years experience

Foreword from Katie:

I have practiced Wing Chun Kung Fu since 2003. I had always wanted to study a martial art but never had the opportunity until I went to University. I wanted to do Wing Chun Kung Fu because it was different and, after watching some videos on the Internet, thought it looked very cool! I had never done any other martial arts before and wasn't really a sporty person. Although I found the warm ups hard work to begin with, over time they got easier, and I became fitter. I'm fitter and stronger now than I ever have been! I find Wing Chun Kung Fu a very intriguing martial art and love to study it. Our Sifu teaches us with a very practical approach and it's easy to see how you can apply Wing Chun Kung Fu to real life situations. We get to train with people of all shapes, sizes and abilities, and it's really good fun to get to know them along the way. I'm positive I'll be practicing Wing Chun Kung Fu for the rest of my life! It's amazing!

Midlands Wing Chun - Hockley Branch - Instructor Support - John Aldrich

Wing Chun - 4+ years experience