Instructors
|
Jennifer Francis
|
Jennifer Francis  Miss Francis began training at the age of 7 with her Dad John and Sister Laura in Worcester. They moved to Wootton Bassett in 1999 and wishing to continue to train they joined the Wootton Bassett school on recommendation, taught by Senior Internaltional Intrusctor Mr Derek Skidmore - 4th Degree Black Belt. Jenny achieved her 1st degree black belt in 2003 aged just 13. When Jenny achieved her 1st degree black belt she began to reach her full potential and within 6 months of receiving her black belt she was crowned British Champion for the first time, still only 13 years old. Since then Jenny has gone on to amass over 60 medals, trophies and awards from the British Tournament scene. Jenny is also a member of the Flowering Youth Team, PUMAs elite Junior demonstration team whose aim is to set the example to younger students. In 2004 Jenny qualified as a PUMA assistant instructor and also successfully gained her 2nd degree black belt with not only a distinction but also the grading award for the best female in the UK. Jenny had an exceptional year in 2006, which she began by attending the European Championships held in Germany. She competed in both the individual and team events. She finished the tournament with a haul of 6 medals (1 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze). Jenny placed 1st in the UK qualifiers for sparring and patterns which gave her a place at the world championships later that year in Australia. Through sheer motivation and with the support from her instructors and fellow students in P.U.M.A, Jenny returned home as a World Champion bringing home a gold and also a silver medal. Jenny was once again selected, along with two other DES TKD students, for the ITF/PUMA England squad at the world championships in 2007, returning with a bronze medal. Jenny also gained her 3rd degree black belt that year once again achieving a distinction and picking up the grading award for best female for a second time. Jenny is very passionate about Taekwondo and believes that it is a good way to focus yourself. It has given her many opportunities and there is always plenty to do which is why she has never lost interest. She also feels it has given her a sense of well being and has made her a better person, which is an ethos that PUMA promotes. In 2007 Mr Skidmore sent Jenny on a Little PUMA Instructor course, Jenny then began teaching PUMAs sepcialist martial arts programme to 4-6 year olds at Wootton Bassett in 2008. She has also had the great pleasure of meeting Master (Little) PUMA. She has been very lucky to have been taught by many top instructors and from this believes that she can give back to Taekwondo what she has received. Her ambition is to become a junior school teacher, which has come from the experience of teaching different people. She wishes to give a fun and enjoyable experience in helping people develop their abilities and reach their full potential. |