INSTRUCTORS

Simon Ells Renshi Simon Ells has been training in Japanese martial arts for more than 30 years.  
After starting martial arts as a student in Manchester he moved to Birmingham and became a fixture in the Whittington and Nechells Dojos of the Aikido Research Federation, under the tutelage of Sensei Michael Sheridan, Sensei John Middleham and Sensei Brian Bond.   During his time training he has branched out from Aikido and focused more on Aiki-Jutsu and Weapons work, including Toyama Ryu and Tameshigiri.  
He has also had training in Daito Ryu, Hakko Ryu, Goju Ryu Karate and many other arts.
Hakko Ryu Ju-Jutsu

Mike Sensei Mike Crump has trained in martial arts for nearly 30 years starting with full contact Karate, followed by Aiki-Jutsu under the direction of Renshi Simon Ells and Sensei Brian Bond.
To develop a deeper understanding of what wider martial arts have to offer, he started Wing Chun kung fu in 2013 with Sifu Alan Bagley (at the club which is also our home dojo)   His teaching is influenced by his background in these arts and, after travelling to Japan, his interest in the art of Sambo. Mike’s approach to martial arts is one of trying to help students find a mix that meets their needs with limited formality and a willingness to learn from others
Sambo

Brian Bond Sensei Brian Bond has train... you get the idea. His main focus on Japanese Martial Arts is on the older style of Daito Ryu Aiki-Jutsu and what applications this had during the period of its prominence in Japan during the feudal period. He has also studied Goju Ryu Karate.
Daito Ryu Aiki-Jutsu

Neil Sensei Neil Hynett started training in Aikido in 2005, awarded Black Belt (Shodan)’ in 2011 and under the tutelage of Sensei Michael Sheridan 8th Dan Shihan of the Aikido Research Federation obtained his 2nd Dan ( Nidan ) in May 2016. Over the years has had the pleasure of training under some fantastic teachings, from world renowned Sensei’s, such as;
Yoko Okamoto’ Aikikai,  Donovan Waite Sensei,  Atsushi Mimuro Sensei,
Roy Hobbs Hanshi ,   Ikeda Sensei,  Sensei Chris Norburn and Terry Bayliss Sensei.
Sensei Hynett was fortunate enough to travel and train across Japan including the Kyoto’ Budo Center ( The original Kyoto Budo Center (旧武徳殿; kyubutokuden) dates from 1899 in the Meiji Period and is the oldest such martial arts centre in Japan. ) and at the home of the Aikikai Foundation’ Hombu Dojo, Tokyo – featuring, Moriteru Ueshiba (Doshu)
Aikido