DES TKD

Instructors

Derek Skidmore

Karen Dowse

John Francis

John Francis

Mr Francis started training in Taekwondo in April 1997 with his daughter Jenny as an activity to do together and aldo to improve his fitness, his other daughter Laura joined the following year.

He started training at the age of 37 with e TAGB in Worcester wth Mr Steve Harris.

The family moved to Royal Wootton Bassett in 1999 and continued their training with Mr Derek Skidmore - 4th degree black belt.

John worked his way through the coloured belts and achieved his 1st degree black belt on 3rd May 2003, since then he has achieved his 2nd degree black belt on 9th October 2005 and more recently his 3rd degree black belt in 2007.

John has participated in many competitions with his best placing a bronze at the 2006 PUMA Northern Championships.

John has been awarded the DES TKD most improved student and student of the year awards on several occassions and in December 2004 was awarded for recognition for his services to DES TKD Schools of Taekwondo.

PUMA is a very friendly organisation and is a good environment in which to learn, Johns favourite aspects of Taekwondo are Patterns and enjoys surpassing the fitness of some of the younger adult students.

Mr Francis likes to pass on the knowledge he has gained over the years through teaching and watching students progress through their training. John is a fantastic ambassador of DES TKD and along with the other senior instructors sets fine example to the younget sutdents.

Mr Franicis is a qualified assistant instructor (2004, passed with distinction), certified umpire (2007) and has also taken courses in child protection and first aid.