Meet our Coaches

Meet the coached in Formby | Coaches | Ascend Taekwondo

Meet the dedicated coaching team behind Ascend Taekwondo — a trusted, family‑friendly martial arts club serving students across Formby, Liverpool, Freshfield, Ainsdale, Hightown, Crosby, Southport, Little Altcar, and Ince Blundell. Our instructors are highly experienced, fully qualified, and passionate about helping children, adults, and families build confidence, discipline, fitness, and real self‑defence skills.

With specialist knowledge in Poomsae (patterns), Kyorugi (sparring), child development, and family martial arts, our coaches create a safe, structured, and welcoming environment for every age group — from Tigers (ages 3–7) and Cadets (7+), to Adults (18+) and Family Classes. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced martial artist, our team is committed to supporting your journey and helping you progress at your own pace.

Parents consistently praise our positive teaching style, patient approach, and the way we help children improve focus, behaviour, and confidence at school. Adults value our motivating atmosphere, technical expertise, and the strong sense of community that makes training enjoyable and rewarding. At Ascend Taekwondo, you’re not just learning martial arts — you’re joining a team that genuinely cares about your growth, wellbeing, and long‑term success.

⭐ Why Our Coaches Stand Out

At Ascend Taekwondo, our coaching team is what makes our club truly special. Each instructor brings a unique blend of experience, passion, and professionalism, creating a safe, structured, and inspiring environment for students of all ages. Families across Formby, Liverpool, Freshfield, Ainsdale, Hightown, Crosby, Southport, Little Altcar, and Ince Blundell consistently praise our coaches for their dedication, patience, and ability to bring out the best in every student.

Here’s what sets our coaching team apart:

• Highly qualified instructors Our coaches hold recognised Taekwondo qualifications, including 5th Dan Master, 4th Dan Lead Instructor, and certified Assistant Instructors. Many also hold national and regional coaching roles, ensuring our students receive expert guidance.

• Safe, professional, and fully accredited Every coach is Enhanced DBS checked, First Aid trained, and fully up to date with Safeguarding and GOL accreditation, giving parents complete peace of mind.

• Experience across all age groups From Tigers (ages 3–7) to Cadets, Adults, and Family Classes, our instructors know how to adapt their teaching to suit different ages, abilities, and confidence levels.

• Strong competitive and technical backgrounds Our team includes Elite Poomsae athletes, National Champions, Regional GB Coaches, and National Referees, bringing high‑level technical knowledge into every class.

• A supportive, confidence‑building approach Our coaches understand that every student is unique. Whether a child is shy, neurodivergent, anxious, or full of energy, we meet them where they are and help them grow at their own pace.

• A genuine passion for helping students succeed Every instructor at Ascend Taekwondo is committed to building confidence, discipline, resilience, and self‑belief — both on and off the mats.

• A welcoming, family‑friendly atmosphere We pride ourselves on creating a community where students feel supported, valued, and motivated. Many families say our coaches are the reason they stay with us long‑term.

Ready to meet our coaching team? Book your FREE trial today.

Jim Scott

⭐ Coach Jim – 5th Dan Master & Lead Instructor

Master Jim is a 5th Dan Black Belt (Master), Enhanced DBS checked, and First Aid trained, with over 20 years of Taekwondo experience and 17 years of dedicated coaching. He first stepped onto the mats to support his three children — but what began as encouragement quickly grew into a lifelong passion for martial arts, teaching, and helping others achieve their potential.

Over nearly two decades of coaching, Jim has guided countless students from beginner level all the way to Black Belt and beyond. His calm, patient teaching style and attention to technical detail make him a highly respected instructor among children, adults, and families.

Jim’s specialist interest is self‑defence, and he is deeply committed to ensuring every student develops practical, reliable skills they can depend on in real‑life situations. His focus on safety, confidence, and strong fundamentals helps students build not only physical ability, but also resilience, discipline, and self‑belief.

Jim is the head coach for the family classes and Adult class

“My goal is to help every student feel capable, confident, and prepared — both inside and outside the dojang.”

Lisa Scott

⭐ Coach Lisa – 4th Dan Lead Instructor & Regional GB Coach

Lisa is a 4th Dan Black Belt, fully qualified Lead Instructor, and one of the most experienced coaches at Ascend Taekwondo. With 21 years of training and 17 years of coaching, she brings exceptional technical knowledge, leadership, and passion to every class. She holds a Level 2 Instructor qualification, up‑to‑date GOL accreditation, First Aid certification, Safeguarding training, and an Enhanced DBS — ensuring the highest standards of safety and professionalism.

As a Regional GB Poomsae Coach, Lisa is recognised for her ability to guide students along the pathway toward high‑level and elite‑level performance. Over the years, she has helped many students achieve their Black Belts and has proudly supported multiple athletes in earning places on both regional and elite squads. Her coaching is respected across Formby, Liverpool, Freshfield, Ainsdale, Hightown, Crosby, Southport, Little Altcar, and Ince Blundell, where families value her expertise, consistency, and dedication.

Lisa’s coaching style is supportive, structured, and focused on helping every student realise their potential. She believes that with encouragement, commitment, and hard work, students can achieve far more than they ever imagined. Her high standards, positive energy, and genuine care for her students inspire children, adults, and families to push themselves, build resilience, and take pride in their progress.

Lisa is the Head coach for the Tigers, Cadet, Poomsae and sparring.

“I want every student to feel confident, capable, and proud of who they are becoming — both on and off the mats.”

Erin Bannon

⭐ Coach Erin – 3rd Dan Assistant Instructor & Elite Poomsae Athlete

Erin is a 3rd Dan Black Belt, fully qualified Assistant Instructor, First Aid trained, and one of Ascend Taekwondo’s longest‑standing students. Beginning her Taekwondo journey at just three years old, she has grown through every belt within the club, earning her 1st Dan at age nine and stepping into coaching at just twelve. Her early start, dedication, and natural leadership make her an inspiring role model for younger students.

Now preparing to test for her 4th Dan, Erin brings over a decade of training experience to her coaching. She is a highly accomplished Elite Poomsae athlete, recently crowned National Champion, and achieving an impressive 3rd place out of 69 competitors in Croatia — a testament to her technical precision, discipline, and competitive drive.

Erin’s coaching style is warm, encouraging, and deeply empathetic. Having once been a shy young martial artist herself, she understands exactly how to support new students and help them feel confident from their very first class. Her passion for coaching grows each time she sees students achieve new goals, overcome challenges, and discover their own potential.

 Erin’s ability to connect with children and teens, especially those who need a confidence boost or a positive role model.

Erin is a assistant coach for Tiger and Cadets classes.

“I love helping students believe in themselves — because I remember exactly what it felt like to be in their shoes.”

Oliver Dowd 

⭐ Coach Oliver – 2nd Dan Assistant Instructor & Regional Poomsae Athlete

Oliver is a 2nd Dan Black Belt, fully qualified Assistant Instructor, First Aid trained, Enhanced DBS checked, and certified as both an Assistant Coach and a National Class 3 Referee. His strong technical background and competition experience make him a highly respected member of the Ascend Taekwondo coaching team.

With over eleven years of dedicated training, Oliver has built an impressive competitive record, earning multiple medals at national‑level Poomsae events. As a regional Poomsae athlete, he brings precision, discipline, and a deep understanding of technique to every class. His role as a National Referee gives him a unique insight into scoring, accuracy, and performance standards — knowledge he passes on to students in a clear, supportive way.

Oliver is passionate about helping students build strong foundations in Taekwondo, focusing on confidence, discipline, concentration, and technical quality. His calm, patient teaching style makes him especially effective with children and beginners, ensuring every student feels supported, encouraged, and capable of achieving their personal goals.

Families value Oliver’s positive approach and the way he helps students grow both in skill and self‑belief.

Oliver is a assistant coach for Tiger and Cadet classes.

“I want every student to feel confident in their abilities and proud of the progress they make — one step at a time.”

                                 Kelly Quirk

⭐ Coach Kelly – Assistant Instructor (Black Tag) & Inspirational Role Model

Kelly is an Enhanced DBS‑checked, First Aid trained Assistant Instructor (Black Tag) with a powerful personal story that inspires many of our students. His journey into Taekwondo began after a difficult experience in sport — having spent four years on a football team, he was bullied out of the sport he once loved. Losing that team left him feeling lost and unsure of where he belonged.

Everything changed when Kelly joined Ascend Taekwondo three years ago. From his very first class, he found a supportive community, a sense of belonging, and a place where he could rebuild his confidence. Through consistent training, perseverance, and a growing passion for martial arts, Kelly transformed both his skills and his self‑belief.

As he progressed, Kelly felt a strong desire to give back. The encouragement and acceptance he experienced as a student inspired him to become a coach — so he could offer others the same confidence, connection, and purpose that helped him rediscover himself. Kelly brings empathy, patience, and genuine understanding to every class.

Students appreciate Kelly’s calm, supportive approach and the way he makes everyone feel welcome, especially those who may be nervous or lacking confidence.

Kelly is a Assistant coach in Tiger classes.

“I know what it feels like to lose confidence — and I know how powerful it is to get it back. I want every student to feel seen, supported, and proud of who they’re becoming.”