Instructors

ANDY FITZGERALD – SENIOR PROFESSOR

7TH DEGREE BLACK BELT

Born in Ireland, I started Martial Arts as a teenager, and through a mutual friend discovered Kenpo Karate in Dublin, Ireland. I have competed in Karate competitions throughout Europe. I have taught Kenpo Karate in Ireland, U.S.A and England and have many years of experience teaching. I currently hold the title of Senior Professor in the art of Kenpo Karate.

My special moments are meeting and training with Grandmaster Edmund Parker and Larry Tatum, receiving my 7th Degree Black Belt Oct 2005 under the instruction of Mr Tatum and his representatives.

I started Martial arts in the Japanese system Shotokan but found the language a barrier when I found Kenpo the instructions were in my language and I learned more swift, fast, flowing constant motion of Kenpo and its mulitple strikes. Thats what I enjoy about the Kenpo system it makes you think and react. It trains you for every possible eventuality, Kenpo allows you to grow and develop and enjoy the fellowship of Kenpoists throughout the world.

KEITH BIRRELL – ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR

5TH DEGREE BLACK BELT

I’m from Edingburgh and first started Karate Wado style in 1970 and trained under twice European champion Hamish Adams. From 1972-74 I competed in regular inter club competitions and in May 1974 at 16 years won the Scottish Wado Championship (under 21 yrs). I continued with Karate until 1975 and then stopped due to a serious injury. Grade obtained Brown Belt. From 1984 I had a short spell with Shotokan Karate but stopped due to injury.

April 1996 I started training in Kenpo Karate under the expert tuition of Andy Fitzgerald. Training under Mr Fitzgerald has opened my eyes more and I have gained more knowledge in the art and have found it to be of greater benefit and a much more effective Martial art.

ED: New Photo Coming Soon... : )

ADAM J. MERTON – ASSOCIATE INSTRUCTOR

2ND DEGREE BLACK BELT

I Started Judo at the age of 8 and went onto study Kempo Karate for many years culminating in me setting up my own club in March 2000. I taught a modified version of Kempo for 7 years until I decided to close the club due to having to move away from Hertfordshire.

During this time I crossed trained with some of the UK’s leading instructors in many modern and traditional martial arts – Such as Filipino Martial Arts [FMA], Jeet Kune Do, Savate, Sombo, Kickboxing, Muay-Thai, Kyusho-Jitsu and Practical Tae Kwon do to name a few.

Martial Arts to American Kenpo

During my 25 years of training to date I have studied the arts of Kempo, Kenpo, Karate-do and Ju Jitsu. More recently [September 2007] I have settled for Ed Parkers American Kenpo Karate under Andy Fitzgerald. I have been labeled with being a ‘Martial Arts Tart’ in the past however I have now settled on my Kenpo Journey and under Andy’s patient and expert tuition I have rattled through the grades to gain my 2nd Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo.