Our Instructors & Staff Members

Our Instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the art of PMA and other martial arts and have attained a certain level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and also mentors.

Through extensive testing, certification and tournament level competition, our staff has attained mastery in this martial art and now enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to their students.

Stuart Wilks  (Owner/Master Instructor)  STUART WILKS is a 5th degree black belt, and first started training in 1986. In 1990, he gained his first degree black belt under Korean Master He Ill Cho. A natural competitor, Stuart competed in many tournaments from yellow belt onwards, winning nnumerous National titles at all coloured belt levels. After reaching black belt, he has gone on to win five National titles, numerous runner up prizes, and has earned himself the recognition of being one of Great Britain's best point stop fighters. Nicknames, "The Mighty Atom" on the competitive circuit, anybody who has seen Master Wilks in the ring will realise that what he lacks in height, he makes up for in heart. Master Wilks has spent many years training all over the world and has the his passion is to grow people through the education of Martial Arts. "I have received much more by giving than I ever have by receiving" - Stuart Wilks

Karen Thorpe  (General Manager - Doncaster)  Karen has been part of the PMA Team since October 2005 but she has been involved with the academy for much longer. She has supported her son through out his martial arts journey and has always been there to support and help the academy in many different ways. Her support for her son was recognised after receiving a Parental Black Belt in December 2004. Since joining the PMA team she has impressed her superiors and quickly moved up the ranks starting behind the reception, most recently being promoted to our school manager and programme director. "I always give 100% and put the academy first!" - Karen Thorpe

Pauline Faulding  (General Manager - Armthorpe)  Pauline Faulding – Pauline is a 2nd degree Black Belt & first started training with a group of mothers in 1998. Working along side her two son’s she has worked within the academy since then & takes care of the everyday running of the Armthorpe Academy.

Daniel Jones  (Chief Instructor - Armthorpe)  Daniel Jones – Dan began his training at the Armthorpe school with Master Wilks in the year 2000. He was always an A grade student & quickly worked his way to 1st Degree Black Belt & through his Instructor certification. Dan has competed in dozens of competitions in the UK picking up numerous accolades along the way.

Tom Thorpe  (Head Instructor - Doncaster)  Mr Thorpe has trained under Master Wilks since 1998 and became one of the countries youngest qualified instructors under Blackbelt Schools International in 2005, after being an A star member of our leadreship programme, winning many accolades including BBSI Leadreship member of the year in 2004 and now holds the coveted role of Doncaster PMA's leadership coach. Mr Thorpe was awarded the prestigious junior Blackbelt of the year in both 2002 and 2003 and the highly sort after Master trophy in 2004, followed by the PMA Instructor of the year award for 2007. He has competed in mant sparring competitions in the past winning gold silver and bronze medals. In 2005 Mr Thorpe took charge of the XMA class and shortly after founded our current PMA demo teams. He had been part of the original demo team back in 1999 and performed around Doncaster doing graduations, school open days and galas. Mr Thorpe is currently a 3rd degree Blackbelt and at the time of achieving that he was the youngest in the UK. He will be testing for his 4th degree soon. "Improving the tiny details will make a huge difference." - Tom Thorpe

Daniel Ball  (Senior Instructor - Armthorpe & Doncaster)  Daniel Ball – Danny started training with Master Wilks in 1998 at the age of 12 & has progressed through the ranks to become the Head Instructor at the Armthorpe Academy. He has competed at all levels of competition all over the world He is British & European Champion in Point Stop, Continuous Sparring, Creative & Extreme Forms. Along with Liam Richards, Danny is part of Strike, as seen on ITV's "Britain's Got Talent".

Jamie Faulding  (Head Instructor - Armthorpe) Jamie has trained under Master Wilks since he was 6 years old & has gone on to be a great competitor & junior instructor. Working closely with the Armthorpe students Jamie excells in helping students better themselves & achieve their goals.

Joanne Smith  (Instructor - Doncaster)  Miss Smith is a 3rd degree blackbelt in traditional Taekwon-do and has been training under Master Wilks since 2000. She has competed in several domestic forms and sparring competitions and achieved a 1st place trophy in the traditional forms category in 2002. Miss Smith also achieved the BBSI senior blackbelt of the year award for 2004 and the LTC member of the year in 2005. Miss Smith started to take on a more Instructor role within the school in November 2005 and became a qualified instructor under Black Belt Schools International in October 2006. "“The difference between impossible and possible – lies in your own spirit and determination”" - Joanne Smith

Laura Richardson  (Receptionist & Instructor - Doncaster)  Miss Richardson has been training under Master Wilks since she was 8 years old, she has been interested in martial arts since seeing the Bruce Lee films as a young child. When she started she had to juggle between her dancing and martial arts training. She has competed in all areas of BBSI and interclub competitions from a very early age. After achieving her first degree blackbelt she decided to take a break and go back to dancing. And then at age 15 came back to martial arts and has achieved alot since coming back. In 2004 she joined the academy’s LTC programme and impressed her LTC coaches with her dedication and willingness to learn, she is now our highest ranked LTC member. At the start of 2008 she was asked if she would become a member of the PMA team as our academy receptionist, she jumped at the chance and the rest of the team has seen her confidence rise tremendously. Also in 2008 she achieved her 3rd degree black belt and is now training towards that next goal of 4th degree. "“If at first you don’t succeed try and try again”" - Laura Richardson

Diane Wood  (Receptionist - Armthorpe) Diane Wood – takes care of the front desk at the Armthorpe school & is the friendly face you see when you walk through the door.

For more information about the Premier Martial Arts staff or training programs, please contact us at 01302 322229/300000 or by clicking here.