Grand Master Nardizzi is the Chairman of the ITF Kids Program, which he designed and co-authored. This program is globally recognised within the ITF, and instructors are expected to teach their younger students according to its principles. He travels the world teaching instructors how to implement it into their lessons and the fundamentals of how to teach children and give them useful guidance toward learning fundamental Taekwon-Do and other life skills.
The International Taekwon-Do Federation of England is the governing body that handles all ITF-related matters in the UK. Grand Master Nardizzi was the president of ITF England from 2011-2016. During this time he instituted by-laws and a charter, which have helped the organisation function transparently, equitably and democratically. As a result, ITF England-affiliated memberships grew over 400% in the span of 5 years, and the organisation has gained the footing it needs to embody the principles and tenets of Taekwon-Do going forward.
The Grand Master regards his students like an extended family, and aims to teach in an open and accessible manner, so as to be a useful source of knowledge, and to provide the guidance students are seeking in order to learn and grow. He believes that Taekwon-Do is not just an after-school or leisure activity but a way of life, and as such it can provide grounding in ethical and moral culture that students can depend upon and live by. As such, he feels a responsibility to ensure his students are getting the best they can from participating in Taekwon-Do, and are able to progress not just as martial artists, but as people also.
In June 2017, the fire at Grenfell Tower in Kensington, West London tragically claimed the lives of 4 Taekwon-Do Impact students, and left another as the sole survivor when her entire family were lost in the disaster.
Grand Master Nardizzi took the initiative to raise funds to support survivors and to help towards rebuilding the shattered local community. Fundraising was begun with the hosting of a kick-athlon event, where Taekwon-Do students performed 1,000 kicks each to raise money for Grenfell. The event was widely supported throughout the ITF, and along with a JustGiving campaign and an open tournament dedicated to the survivors, the Taekwon-Do community has been able to raise over £50,000 to date.
If you would like to hear more about this story please follow the link below:
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/grenfell-taekwondo-victims
Russell Dennis has been training in Martial Arts for the majority of his life. He started Taekwon-do in 1987, which he continues to train in and develop his knowledge. He presently holds a 8th Dan black belt (Senior Master level) and is very active in the Taekwon-do community working as an International Instructor, umpire and grading examiner with the International Taekwon-do Federation (ITF). Master Dennis runs the instructors courses for Taekwon-do Impact (London and the South East), is a member of the ITF-England Discipline and Ethics committee and is also the ITF-England technical director.
From the beginning Russell Dennis was always particularly interested in the self-defence and realistic fighting side of Martial arts. He is also involved in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and runs ‘Extreme Fighters’ MMA gym in Redhill. Master Dennis has had several pro MMA fights and has several students who also compete in MMA.
Master Dennis runs Taekwon-do schools in the Cheam, Dorking and Epsom areas and teaches students from 4years old to over 50.
Master Anderson (VIII Degree) first started training in Taekwon-Do in August 1974. After achieving his 1st Degree in March 1979 and qualifying as an instructor, Master Anderson established the Colney Heath Taekwon-Do School in September 1979.
Having spent 45 years dedicated to training and teaching Taekwon-Do, Master Anderson has produced many Black belts, ranging from 1st to 5th Degree. Some of these students have competed for England at European and World Championships.
James Davis has more than 24 years of Taekwon-Do experience, and currently a 4th Degree Blackbelt. He has been taught by the highest ranking Taekwon-Do instructors, Masters and Grand Masters in the UK.
James began his Taekwon-Do training while at University in Dundee, Scotland and achieved his 1st Degree Blackbelt under UKTF Scotland. During his time in Scotland James travelled back home to Croydon and attended classes run by Grand Master Nardizzi whenever the opportunity arose.
After a brief introduction to Taekwon-Do at a local Dundee club James found Montrose School of Taekwon-Do on the east cost of Scotland and began training there with Master McNairn 7th Degree.
James moved back near Croydon in 2005 and started attending classes with Master Dennis 7th Degree – progressed through 2nd and 3rd Degree gradings and was then very keen to start teaching.
James started Banstead Taekwon-Do School in September 2009 and has trained 10 people from White belt to Blackbelt in that time. The school runs 3 nights a week and teaches 4 – 7 year olds, 8 – 12 year olds and Teenagers and Adults.
As well as being a Taekwon-Do instructor, James also has a Phase 1 (1st Dan) instructor level in SBL Silat, which is an art with Indonesian roots. He has several years of Aikido, Ju-Jitsu, and a nameless control and restraint system and blends much of this for his students benefit in his classes.