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Meet Your Instructors: A Partnership Built on Passion
The Wing Chun Collective is proudly owned and operated by Sifu’s Steve Woodward and David Akroyd-Jones, two martial artists whose dedication to Wing Chun spans over four decades. Based in beautiful Gloucestershire, they’ve transformed their lifelong passion for this ancient art into a thriving community of students who share their love for authentic kung fu.
Our Journey: From Students to Master Instructors
The Foundation Years (1982-1994)
Our story begins in 1982 when Steve and David first discovered Wing Chun. What started as personal curiosity quickly became a profound commitment to mastering this incredible martial art.
The Cheltenham Years (1994-Present)
In 1994, we established Cheltenham Wing Chun Kuen (CWCK), marking the beginning of our teaching journey. For years, we were privileged to train under the personal guidance of Sifu Shaun Rawcliffe, chief instructor of The Midlands Wing Chun Kuen, who connected us directly to the legendary Ip Man lineage through Grandmaster Ip Chun.
Direct Connection to Grandmaster Ip Chun
We had the extraordinary honour of hosting numerous seminars with Grandmaster Ip Chun himself – the son of the legendary Ip Man and Bruce Lee’s elder kung fu brother. These experiences, combined with multiple training trips to Hong Kong, gave us invaluable insights into authentic Wing Chun and lasting relationships within the global Wing Chun community.
Evolution: The Wing Chun Collective
Freedom to Explore, Commitment to Authenticity
The Wing Chun Collective represents the natural evolution of our teaching philosophy. While we deeply respect our traditional roots and will never forget the foundations that shaped us, we’ve chosen to operate as independent instructors. This freedom allows us to:
- Explore Wing Chun innovations from around the world
- Integrate complementary disciplines that enhance our students’ development
- Focus purely on what works best for our students, not organisational politics
- Maintain the highest teaching standards without external constraints
Our Core Mission
Since 1982, we’ve been driven by the same fundamental principles: sharing the profound benefits of Wing Chun with anyone willing to learn. Whether you’re seeking practical self-defence, improved fitness, stress relief, or personal development, we’ve spent four decades refining our approach to help you achieve your goals.
Why Choose The Wing Chun Collective?
✓ Proven Expertise Over 40 years of continuous Wing Chun practice and nearly 30 years of teaching experience. We’ve literally grown up with this art and watched it evolve across four decades.
✓ Direct Lineage Connection Trained directly within the Ip Man family system through Grandmaster Ip Chun, giving you access to the most authentic Wing Chun available in the UK.
✓ Global Perspective Our travels and relationships throughout the international Wing Chun community mean you benefit from the best techniques and teaching methods worldwide.
✓ Modern Application We understand how ancient principles apply to modern life. Our teaching combines traditional wisdom with contemporary understanding of body mechanics, psychology, and practical self-defence.
✓ Independent Excellence Free from politics and commercial pressures, we focus entirely on your development and the preservation of authentic Wing Chun.
More Than Martial Arts
Wing Chun has given us incredible gifts over the decades – physical fitness, mental clarity, lasting friendships, and a deep understanding of Chinese philosophy and culture. We’re passionate about sharing these benefits with every student who walks through our doors.
From Self-Defence to Self-Discovery
Whether you’re looking to learn practical self-defence, improve your physical fitness, develop mental focus, or simply be part of a welcoming community, Wing Chun offers something unique. Our four decades of experience have taught us that the real magic of Wing Chun isn’t just in the techniques – it’s in the personal transformation that comes from dedicated practice.
Ready to Be Part of Our Story?
The Wing Chun Collective continues to grow, welcoming new students who become part of our extended martial arts family. With four decades of teaching excellence behind us and decades more ahead, we’re here to guide your Wing Chun journey, whatever your starting point or goals.
Experience the difference that four decades of dedication makes. Contact us today to begin your Wing Chun journey.