White Cloud Martial Arts Academy
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Meet The Instructors
To earn a Black Belt, and with it the role of instructor, at The White Cloud Martial Arts Academy takes a minimum of five years dedicated training and usually more. So you can be assured that anyone teaching at the White Cloud Academy is experienced in what they're doing. The senior instructors all have decades of coaching under their belt.
All White Cloud black belts are required to complete an NVQ level 2 in 'martial arts coaching', in line with the UKMAF (United Kingdom Martial Arts Forum) requirements. The clubs instructors have also been trained in Child Protection, have passed a DBS check and are required to hold their own individual Personal Indemnity insurance.
Head of Society
Grand Master Dave Cowell
Dave is the 2nd Generation Lineage Holder of White Cloud, and Head of The White Cloud System, inherited from Master Derek Gordon. He currently holds the rank of Grand Master.
Grand Master Bill Keith
Bill joined first joined the White Cloud Academy in 1975 back when it was still known as the YMCA Karate Club, training under Master Derek Gordon and, then, instructor Dave Cowell.
Sifu Ben Mercer
Ben joined the junior section of White Cloud Martial Arts in 1995 at the age of 10, receiving his early tuition from the high ranking instructor Jimmy Tanner. Three years later he transferred to the senior class, quickly progressing through the grades and gaining his black belt in 2003 shortly after his 18th birthday, he is currently at the rank of 7th dan.
Sifu Alan Williamson
Alan has been training in white cloud since 1999 and has been a black belt and instructor since November 2004. In August 2019 he was awarded the rank of 3rd Dan, making him one of the more senior instructors at the Academy.
Sifu Martin Perry
Martin began his training at Preston New Road, at was then the Blackburn Martial Arts Academy, in 1992. His path up through the grades was interrupted by injuries along the way but these he overcame to earn the rank of black belt in 2008. His first dan followed in 2010, his second on 2012 and since 2016 Martin has been the club's highest ranked instructor at the level of 3rd dan.
Sifu Brian Eastwood
Brian began training at the Academy back in the early 00's and considers himself a late starter, being in his 30's before he learnt any form of martial art. Brian did have to take a break part way through his journey towards Black Belt; but when he returned after an eight year absence he, in his typical humble way, insisted on starting all his grading again from the beginning!