Sifu David Blackley

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Sifu David Blackley started his martial arts journey in 1977 when he trained in Boxing. He began learning Wing Chun in 1980 and has trained this style continuously to this day. David has also trained in several other arts which led him to fight in Muay Thai and teach Mantis Style Kung Fu, Shaolin Kung Fu and Brazilian Jiu Jitsiu; together with Sifu Goold, David opened the First Gracie Barra BJJ university club in the world.

David won three National Full Contact titles and as a Police Officer serving in Special Projects and later in private security has had to call upon his martial arts skills in many dangerous and violent situations.

David is a qualified teacher and head teacher with a PGCE and NPQH meaning that he not only has a unique insight into what works for real but also understands the best way in which students learn. This knowledge has helped The University of Nottingham Wing Chun thrive since its inception in 1997.

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Sifu Richard Goold

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Sifu Richard Goold began his martial arts training in September 2000 when he joined the University of Nottingham Wing Chun club during the 2nd year of his undergraduate degree. He currently holds the rank of 5th degree black belt in wing chun and has been coaching at the club for a number of years.

Rich also trains Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, in which he holds a brown belt under Gracie Barra UK. Along with Sifu Blackley, Rich founded the UoN's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu club where he taught for many years. Rich has also studied multiple other martial arts including: MMA, Filipino Kick-boxing and Freestyle Wrestling. He also has a keen interest in the armed combat techniques of Fairbairn & Sykes and the Victorian martial art of Bartitsu.

Rich has many years of experience working in police intelligence where he built an in depth understanding of how violence occurs across a multitude of crimes. He also has previous experience working in the security industry. He holds a Masters Degree in Education Research with a focus on developing the most effective learning environments. These experiences mean he understands the reality of how threats occur and how to properly impart that understanding to students.

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