OUR TEAM
All of our instructors have many years of experience in competing, umpiring and coaching at National and International level. We all hold International Instructor status within the ITF, are DBS checked and fully insured.
We are passionate about our friendly club and are welcoming to all ages and abilities.
Below you can meet our main instructors, but we often have other assistant instructors involved in classes.
Mike Cude
Chief Instructor and Cofounder
Chief instructor, and cofounder of Sandygate Martial Arts, Mr Cude started his martial arts journey in 2000 because his two eldest daughters started, and has trained and instructed ever since. Mr Cude has competed nationally and internationally, becoming National Champion in patterns multiple times and winning his patterns category in Moldova in 2015, becoming European Champion. He has also umpired at international tournaments and coached Team UK while a member of the UKITF throughout many championships. Master Cude currently holds the rank of VII degree and is a member of ITF England. His travels have allowed him to compete, train and coach around the world too, including Spain, Italy, Ireland, Moldova, Germany, and as far afield as Canada.
Outside of martial arts Mr Cude studied an engineering degree with The Open University and enjoys the technical side of Taekwon-Do the most, teaching his students how to apply techniques with the best outcome.
Polly Cude
Instructor and Cofounder
Miss Cude’s martial arts journey began with Taekwon-Do in 2004 as a 4 year old. Throughout her teenage years she has competed nationally and internationally, travelling to the likes of Italy, Spain and Moldova. Before she stepped back from competing due to her education, she won the European Champion title in destruction in 2015. Miss Cude is currently a V degree in Taekwon-Do.
Miss Cude also holds a III degree in Kick Boxing. She studied Paramedic Science at Plymouth University and is now a qualified Paramedic, so is passionate about training to avoid injury and improve health.
RACHEL FAY
Instructor
Mrs Fay has been training in Taekwon-Do since she was 4 years old. During her early years she took part in many competitions and thorouhghly enjoyed her time on the local circuit and won many medals for her efforts.
Following a break in her training she recently returned to assist teaching at the Ogwell club both Little Dragons and Junior Taekwon-Do. Mrs Fay is also the Kick Boxing Instructor.
Mrs Fay is currently a IV degree in Taekwon-Do and II degree in Kick Boxing.
Sophie Barnett
Instructor
Mrs Barnett started training in 2004 in her mid 30s, proof that it’s never too late to start something new. She is currently IV degree and her most proud achievement is winning a world championship title in the birthplace of Taekwon-Do – Korea – in 2010. Since then she has won several national titles and moved into coaching after hanging up her gloves. Mrs Barnett has been assistant coach to Team UK, including the same trip to Italy as the Cudes, and coached world champions in several disciplines. Alongside being a qualified umpire and referee Mrs Barnett occasionally examines students for their grading.
Ms Barnett mainly instructs the Kingsbridge classes, but helps Mr Cude to cover classes elsewhere when needed.
