Instructors

Senior Master Andy Whiteley VIII Degree

Senior Master Andy Whiteley was a comparative latecomer to Taekwon-Do. With a background in Judo he started training in Reading with Grand Master Paul Cutler in 1984 before promotion to I Degree in 1988.

Gaining his first international medal success at the 1990 World Championships in Canada he continued at World, European, and National level competition until 2006. As the England Team Captain 1994-98 he progressed to the position of Head Coach until 2006, performing demonstrations for HRH The Queen in 2002, and HRH Princess Anne in 2004.

Achieving Master status in 2007 with First Grand Master Rhee Ki Ha, he accepted the position of ITF France Technical Director for which development he is still committed. As an International Instructor and Umpire he continues to lead Thames Valley Taekwon-Do, its students and instructors into the future. Senior Master Whiteley has been teaching/coaching martial arts and self defence to children and adults in and around the Reading area for over 30 years.

Mr Kevin Pilkinton VIII Degree

Mr Kevin Pilkinton has been training at Thames Valley since 1991 achieving V Degree in 2007 with First Grand Master Rhee Ki Ha then VII Degree in lockdown 2021.

His precise approach and in depth knowledge to performing all aspects of technique is an inspiration to all students and instructors alike. Mr Pilkinton offers years of experience teaching martial art classes to all ages bringing his own style and personality to everyone.

His teaching responsibilities at Thames Valley are focused on classes for Advanced/Elite levels. As a National Class A Umpire he attends most UK competitions as an official referee.

Mr Laurence Hand VI Degree

Mr Laurence Hand began training on the first day that Tae Kwon-Do came to Reading in November 1982 and became one of the school’s first black belts in 1986. He was promoted to 4th Degree by the founder of Tae Kwon-Do, General Choi Hong Hi, in 1993 and to 5th Degree by First Grandmaster Rhee Ki Ha in 1997. After a hiatus of 11 years, Mr Hand resumed is Tae Kwon-Do career in 2012 (it’s never too late to come back).

Over the years Mr Hand’s main passions have been for patterns and special technique power test, in which he regularly competed and won medals at national level.

Currently his teaching responsibilities are typically technical training (patterns and fundamental movements) at both coloured belt and black belt level, both at Rivermead Centre, Reading and St Crispin’s Centre, Wokingham, with a particular focus on the family session on Saturday mornings.

Mr David Tee VI Degree

Mr David Tee is responsible for training both senior as well as junior classes at Rivermead. He can be found on the mat offering self defence and martial art expertise in the children's classes as well as mixed adult sessions.

With a varied Martial Arts background including Ninjitsu he enjoys every aspect of teaching and performing Taekwon-Do technique with explosive effect, especially power breaking.

Gaining his IV Degree with First Grand Master Rhee Ki Ha in 2011 he is also a regular on the national competitive circuit as a National Class A Umpire.

Mr Gary Nelson IV Degree

I started my Taekwon-Do journy back in 1989. Most of my gradings were with Grand Master Rhee KiHa to 2nd Dan. I love competition, as a colour belt won several medals. It's been hard training and with family life and work. The hardest part was to train with the England squad and to be picked for the squad. It was over welming. In 2017, at the European championships, I won two silvers in patterns and sparring. I was then picked again for Estonia Euros and came back with 2 golds; 1 in patterns and the other in sparring. The 3rd year in Rimini 2019, I came away with gold in individual sparring silver in individual patterns and bronze in team patterns and silver in team sparing. Hopefully Ill be chosen for next years Euros and going for the Worlds!

Mr Spencer Brooks IV Degree

Mr Spencer Brooks began training in 2002, from the age of 4, with Bytomic and then Spirit Tae Kwon Do. Promoting to 1st Dan Black Belt in 2008 before joining Thames Valley in 2009.

He has competed at national level since the age of 5, achieving medals in Patterns, Sparring and Special Technique. As of January 2018 he has been attending ITF England Squad Training.

In 2016 he received the Inspiration Award at the Reading Sport Awards for his teaching and coaching in the under 14s classes and competitions.

Currently holding a Class C National Instructor Qualification, he regularly assists and teaches the U14s in technical and sparring classes.

In September 2015 Spencer was promoted to III Degree Black Belt by Grand Master John Williamson then in March 2022 was promoted to IV Degree Black Belt.

Mr Paul Finnegan III Degree

Health and Safety Officer

Mrs Ruth Brooks II Degree

Mr Mantas Grigaliunas II Degree

Mr Ralph Casbeard II Degree

Heather Lewis I Degree