TEAM TAEKWONDO STAFF

When you or your children train with Team Taekwondo you can rest assured that you are in good hands. All club and class instructors have attended relevant instructors, first aid and child protection courses. They also have a valid Criminal Records Bureau certificate and are fully insured with the National Governing Body for Taekwondo in the UK. For more information about our instructors, take a look at the profiles below:-

Phillip Payne
Paul Greenwood
Christine Greenwood
Stephen Cocker
Amy Payne
Andrew Cocker
Chris Cocker
Jackie Wood

Phillip Payne

Chief and Club Instructor
Head Sparring Coach
Marketing Co-ordinator

4th Dan

30-11-1973

What made you choose Taekwondo over other martial arts and sports?

I have always been interested in contact sports since a relatively early age. In my teen years I used to play Ice hockey for a local junior team and then I took up Ju Jitsu at Richard Dunns Sports Centre in Bradford. My instructor was Peter Jackson and Robert Ashworth used to take some classes and run our gradings. Robert was originally trained by Soke James Blundell of Liverpool, who was one of the early Ju Jitsu pioneers. After a while I found that the style of Ju Jitsu I was practicing was centred around being reactive instead of proactive, so I started looking around to see what other martial arts where being taught in the local area. This is when I came across Mike McKenzie and Quest Taekwondo.

When and where did you start training and how old were you?

I had just turned seventeen when I started my Taekwondo training at the North Bridge Leisure Centre, Halifax in 1990. I had seen a poster in the Sports Centre for new Taekwondo classes so I though I would give it a go.

What are your favourite aspects of Taekwondo?

I like all aspects but my favourites are self defence and sport Taekwondo. My interest in the sports side of Taekwondo takes me all over the world. I was a spectator at the Athens Olympics in 2004 and both the European and world Championships in 2005. This year I am already planning for the Dutch Open and European Championship in Germany. I also enjoy sport Taekwondo training and I have trained with both past and present international players and coaches.
My interest in self defence has encouraged me take a closer look at the basic techniques performed in Taekwondo classes under the banner of self defence. I am putting together a self defence system for Taekwondo practitioners so they can defend against most common attacks not usually covered by Taekwondo training. Though many of the defences in the system have been taught to me by instructors outside of Taekwondo, most include common Taekwondo techniques.

What are your favourite techniques?

Most people that have trained with me know that my favourite kicking technique is counter back kick. I think the secret of a good back kick is timing.

My favourite hand technique has to be the left lead round elbow. I always find I can generate a massive amount of power with this technique.

Who have been the most influential people in your life?

My mother and farther are the most influential people in my life. My mum has provided me with a logical outlook on life and my father gives me the grit and determination I need to get a job done. I must also give a mention of the following people
Mike McKenzie - My first Taekwondo instructor of 16 years was very motivated and always strived to improve both his Taekwondo and his teaching methods.
Jason Harris - My old Ju Jitsu instructor and friend that reignited my interest in Ju Jitsu with his no messing approach to training.
Ronnie Green - One of my Thai boxing instructors. A five times World Champion that has done so much for Thai Boxing worldwide.

What have been the most memorable moments in you martial arts career and why?

Passing my 4th Dan in Taekwondo felt like I had achieved something that %99.9 of Taekwondo practitioners will never achieve.
Being present at the Olympics in Athens when Dae Sung Moon of Korea knocked out Alexandros Nikolaidis of Greece in the final has been the most memorable moment at a Taekwondo event, the Greek crowd went wild.
In January of 2005 myself and my wife Amy went on went on a three week holiday around the world. During our travels we stayed in Bangkok for four days so we could visit the historic Thai Boxing stadiums Lumpini and Ratchadamnoen. It was surreal to be sitting ringside watching live Thai Boxing in the stadiums I used to watch on Eurosport in the late 80s and early 90s.
Passing my Black Belt in Ju Jitsu fifteen years after my first Ju Jitsu class was a long time coming and just goes to show that if you set yourself goals and train hard, you will get there in the end.

What are your martial art goals and ambitions?

I try to set myself both short term and long term goals. This years short term goals are:-
Improve my leg strength and flexibility.
Hit a target weight of 12 ½ stone
My longer term goals are:-
To be highly skilled in Taekwondo, Ju Jitsu and Thai Boxing.
To open my own full time Martial Arts venues.

Do you have any other interests or hobbies out side of Taekwondo?

As my wife Amy will tell you, I am a martial arts nut. I am currently a 4th Dan in Taekwondo, a 1st Dan in Ju Jitsu and an active member of the International Muay Thai Federation. As you can imagine, my training and teaching schedule does not leave me with much spare time. With the little time I have left in the week, I look after the Full Contact Taekwondo and Team Taekwondo web sites. I also support my home Rugby League team the Bradford Bulls when ever I get chance.

What advise would you give new Taekwondo students?

Always set new goals when you reach old ones and train hard but consistently.

Favourite five

What's your favourite film?
At the moment, Ong-Bak

Who is your favourite band?
I don't have a particular band but I like most trance music and some rock.

What?s your favourite food?
Anything spicy.

What is your favourite drink?
Officially, freshly squeezed orange juice, unofficially, larger :)

What is your favourite holiday destination?
Any of the Greek Islands.
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Paul Greenwood

Class instructor
Sparring Coach

3rd Dan

21-08-1966

What made you choose Taekwondo over other martial arts and sports?

I chose Taekwondo above other martial arts because of its dynamic and traditional techniques and also like the discipline involved.

When and where did you start training and how old were you?

I started my Taekwondo relatively late at 33 years young. My first club was based at the North Bridge Leisure Centre.

What are your favourite aspects of Taekwondo?

Sparring is my favourite part of Taekwondo training

What are your favourite techniques?

Axe kick and spinning back kick

Who have been the most influential people in your life?

My family.

What have been the most memorable moments in you martial arts career and why?

Passing my Black Belt.

What are your martial art goals and ambitions?

My goal is to improve my Taekwondo to such a level that I am confident enough in my abilities to run my own Taekwondo classes.

Do you have any other interests or hobbies out side of Taekwondo?

I am a family man and I spend most of my time involved in family activities such as quad biking.

What advise would you give new Taekwondo students?

Never accept second best and always train to the best of your ability. Don?t compare your self to others, be the best you can be.

Favourite five

What's your favourite film?
American Pie and Something about Mary.

Who is your favourite band?
Dire Straights.

What's your favourite food?
Anything spicy.

What is your favourite drink?
Carling lager.

What is your favourite holiday destination?
Cyprus.
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Christine Greenwood

Class instructor
Sparring Coach

2nd Dan

02-06-1965

What made you choose Taekwondo over other martial arts and sports?

I was looking for a martial art that the whole family could do and that?s when I found Taekwondo.

When and where did you start training and how old were you?

I started 34 year old when I attended my first Taekwondo. My first club was based at the North Bridge Leisure Centre in Halifax.

What are your favourite aspects of Taekwondo?

I enjoy all aspects of my Taekwondo training.

What are your favourite techniques?

Axe kick

Who have been the most influential people in your life?

My husband, parents and close friends.

What have been the most memorable moments in you martial arts career and why?

Passing my Black Belt.

What are your martial art goals and ambitions?

To improve my confidence.

Do you have any other interests or hobbies out side of Taekwondo?

I enjoy quad biking with my family and Irish Dancing when I have some spare time.

What advise would you give new Taekwondo students?

Not everyone has the same capabilities but as long as you always try your best, you will always gain from your Taekwondo training.

Favourite five

What's your favourite film?
Bridget Jones Diary and Pretty Woman.

Who is your favourite band?
Meatloaf

What's your favourite food?
Curry (Indian).

What is your favourite drink?
Carling lager.

What is your favourite holiday destination?
Cyprus.
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Stephen Cocker

Class instructor
Sparring Coach

2nd Dan

22-07-1982

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Andrew Cocker

Assistant instructor
Assistant Sparring Coach

1st Dan

22-07-1982

What made you choose Taekwondo over other martial arts and sports?

When I chose to study Taekwondo I was very naïve to the different types of Martial arts, of course I heard of Karate and Judo but not many others. If I am honest I had never really heard of Taekwondo until I attended a lesson with my uncle and auntie (Paul and Christine Greenwood). I was hooked instantly, it was spectacular to watch and the more I learned about Taekwondo and its background the more I wanted to study it. I have been training ever since.

When and where did you start training and how old were you?

I started training at Halifax Taekwondo Club at North Bridge Leisure Centre in February 2001 when I was 18 years old. In June 2004 I changed clubs to Quest Taekwondo instructed by Phill Payne, which is now Team Taekwondo at Hipperholme and Lightcliffe High School. Although I took some time out of training to do some renovations on my home, which meant I did not train regularly at this point, I started training regularly with Phill around mid 2005. He told me that if I trained regular and hard I would improve enough and he would put me in for my 1 Kup. That was my inspiration to start regular training sessions again as I had a new goal to aim for.

What are your favourite aspects of Taekwondo?

My favourite aspects of Taekwondo have got to be the fast dynamic kicking techniques and the self defence aspects. However, I am now enjoying the patterns and technical aspects a lot more. The more I use them in training, the more I improve them. I used to dread step sparing and technical work (hand techniques etc) as my mind would go blank when I had to perform hand techniques the length of the hall. Preparing for my Dan grading I did a lot of training on this and it all seemed to slot into place, although I do still occasionally go blank. This no longer bothers me as I realise I just need to train more in this area.

What are your favourite techniques?

My favourite techniques have to be axe kick and ridge hand. I seem to be able to manage these techniques rather well while there is much room for improvement in my other techniques

Who have been the most influential people in your life?

The most influential people in my life have to be my fiancée Christine and my son Byron. They bring out the best in me. Christine is very supportive of my training and realises it is a big part of me. It makes me proud that Byron wants to follow in my footsteps and learn Taekwondo himself. My parents have also been a big influence in my life, if it wasn?t for their discipline, which a great part of Taekwondo or any Martial Art, I would not be the man I am today (strong like bull).

What have been the most memorable moments in you martial arts career and why?

My most memorable moments in my Taekwondo career has to be when I achieved my 1st Dan. From obtaining my 2nd Kup it was 18 months before I graded for my 1st Kup. During this period I got bored and wasn?t training regular and felt that I had lost some inspiration. Christine and Phill helped me find inspiration again and I achieved my goal.

What are your martial art goals and ambitions?

My goals and ambitions are to continue training and improve on all my techniques, fitness and flexibility. I am not naturally flexible which I am sure is contributing to the effort needed to execute high kicks. I hope to improve on this in the future. I try to set myself personal goals to work towards. My current goal is to study and break down techniques which will hopefully help me carry out these techniques to my full potential and help me teach these to other students.

Do you have any other interests or hobbies out side of Taekwondo?

I enjoy spending time with my family. I have a close family network and I really enjoy doing things as a family unit such as swimming, bike riding, walking and going to the cinema. I also enjoy going to the pub and indulging in a pint of John Smiths.

What advise would you give new Taekwondo students?

My advice to new students is that it may seem complicated and difficult to take in all the different aspects of Taekwondo but stick with it and everything will eventually fall into place. It will soon become second nature and before you know it, you will be passing your knowledge on to other new students. Its always great to know that you have helped someone learn something new.

Favourite five

What's your favourite film?
My favourite films are Independence Day and Armageddon. I really enjoy disaster and sci-fi movies.

Who is your favourite band?
I do not have a favourite band but I am very open minded when it comes to music. I like many different artists and types of music although I can not stand garage music which I call garbage music. My favourite artist at the moment has to be James Blunt.

What's your favourite food?
My favourite food is home made BBQ chicken pizza (my own invention) and curry from the local takeaway.

What is your favourite drink?
My favourite drink is tropical fruit juice but at night I enjoy Marstons Double Drop bitter. I also enjoy Grolsch larger on a tame night out.

What is your favourite holiday destination?
The nicest place I have on holiday has to been on holiday has to be Protaros in Cyprus although my favourite holiday was at Primrose Valley near Scarborough last September.
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Chris Cocker

Assistant instructor
Assistant Sparring Coach

1st Dan

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