Meet our Coaches
Behind our Martial arts club there is dedicated coaches who want to see the students progress and achieve great things, they all bring their unique expertise and enthusiasm to our club and with this helps the students thrive.
Jim Scott
5th Dan (Master) Lead Instructor
Jim has been training in Taekwondo for over 20 years, beginning his journey after watching his three children take up the sport. What started as a way to support them quickly grew into a deep passion for martial arts and coaching. With 17 years of coaching experience, Jim has guided many students to Black Belt and beyond, helping them achieve strong technical ability and long‑term confidence.
Jim’s specialist interest is self‑defence, and he is highly focused on ensuring every student develops practical, reliable skills they can depend on if they ever need them. His attention to detail, calm teaching style, and commitment to high standards make him a trusted and respected coach within the club.
Lisa Scott
4th Dan Lead Instructor
Lisa began her Taekwondo journey 21 years ago and has been coaching for the past 17 years, bringing exceptional experience and leadership to Ascend Taekwondo. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt and a respected Regional Poomsae Coach, guiding students along the pathway toward elite‑level performance. Lisa has helped many students achieve black belt and above over the years. Through her dedication, she has successfully supported multiple students in earning places on both regional and elite squads.
Lisa has a strong passion for helping students grow in confidence and realise their potential. She believes that with commitment, encouragement, and hard work, every student can achieve far more than they ever thought possible. Her supportive yet high‑standard coaching style inspires students of all ages to push themselves, build resilience, and take pride in their progress.
Erin Bannon
3rd Dan Assistant Instructor
Erin began Taekwondo at just three years old and has progressed through every belt under the guidance of Coach Lisa. She earned her 1st Dan Black Belt at age nine and started coaching at twelve, driven by her desire to support new students and help them feel confident from day one. Now a 3rd Degree Black Belt, Erin plans to test for her 4th Degree next year.
Erin is in the Elite Poomsae team, She is an accomplished Poomsae athlete, she has a strong competitive background, she was recently crowned National Champion, and achieved 3rd place out of 69 competitors in Croatia. Erin’s passion for coaching grows each time she sees students achieve new goals and develop confidence — something she remembers striving for herself as a young martial artist
Oliver Dowd
2nd Dan Assistant Instructor
Oliver is a committed member of Ascend Taekwondo and a regional Poomsae athlete with a strong competitive background. As a Class 3 National Referee, he is qualified to officiate at domestic competitions, bringing a high level of technical understanding and professionalism to every event.
With over eleven years of training, Oliver has earned multiple medals at national competitions and continues to develop both as an athlete and a coach. He is passionate about helping students build strong foundations in Taekwondo, focusing on confidence, discipline, and concentration. Oliver’s calm, supportive approach ensures that every student feels encouraged to progress and achieve their personal goals.
Kelly Quirk
Black tag (assistant instructor)
Kelly has always had a deep love for sports, but his journey hasn’t been an easy one. After spending four years on a football team, he was bullied out of the sport he once loved. Losing that team left him feeling adrift, searching for a place where he could belong again.
When Kelly began training at the club 3 years ago, everything changed. He found a supportive community, a sense of family, and a space where he could rebuild his confidence. Through consistent practice, perseverance, and a growing passion for Taekwondo, he steadily improved and discovered a new path forward.
As the years passed, Kelly felt a strong desire to give back. The encouragement and belonging he experienced as a student inspired him to become a coach—so he could offer others the same sense of confidence, connection, and purpose that helped him find his way again.