Meet the team

Our coaching team is completely home-grown. Every instructor, assistant and cadet has progressed through the same grading system as our students — from beginner level upwards.

We are not simply people doing a job. We are passionate martial artists who genuinely loved the journey ourselves and now want to pass that same experience, confidence and sense of achievement on to others.

Sensei Jo started the club alone in 2009 with only a small number of students and no coaching team. Today, the club has grown into one of the largest and most established martial arts clubs in Leighton Buzzard — while still maintaining the same care, attention and commitment to every individual member

More Than Just Training

For us, kickboxing is about more than techniques and belts. It is about helping people feel part of a positive and supportive community where they are encouraged to grow, challenge themselves and enjoy the process — whether they are aged 4 or 74.

Many of our cadet team started training with us as children themselves, giving them a real understanding of the student journey at every stage

Developing Positive Role Models

Our cadets are selected as role models for younger members. Many have trained with us for close to a decade, beginning as young children and growing into confident young adults with years of experience supporting classes and helping others.

Consistency, Safeguarding & Standards

As a team, we regularly meet to discuss student progress, individual needs and class standards to ensure consistency across all sessions.

All members of our coaching team are:

Enhanced DBS checked – First Aid trained – Committed to MAGB safeguarding policies and procedures

We are also committed to continuing our own development as coaches to ensure we provide the best possible experience for every student who walks through our doors

Contact the club

Sensei Jo Randall

5th Dan Black Belt & Chief Instructor

Read full bio.

WAKO Qualified Instructor

3 x National ECKA Champion

DBS advanced checked

First aid trained

Body in Mind Facilitator

Diploma in Anatomy & Physiology

In martial arts since 2002, trained under Sensei Dev Barrett 8th Dan & head of WAKO GB Ring sports.

Competed nationally & internationally for over a decade. Spent one month training with Shaolin 34th Generation Warrior Monks in China in 2014. Trained with other notable instructors; Kancho Henk Kuipers, Michael “Venum” Page, Grandmaster A, Remy Bon-jasky, Semy Schilt, Elijah Everill, Ray Hoffman, Chantelle Cameron, Alfie “Ard” Davies & Monika Markowska.

Founded Leighton Buzzard Kickboxing Academy in 2009.

Read about her Shaolin Training here: https://senseijorandall.wordpress.com/

Sensei Pete Jardine

3rd Dan Black Belt

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WAKO Qualified Instructor

1 x ECKA National Champion

DBS Enhanced checked

First Aid trained

Sensei Pete has competed nationally in semi contact and light continious. Has been in Martial Arts since age 11 and a marathon runner. He started with the club 6 months after we opened in 2010! He also trains in Muay Thai to add to his skills and experience!

Sensei Guillaume Dupre

2nd Dan Black Belt

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WAKO Qualified Instructor

WAKO Qualfied Referee

DBS Checked

First Aid Trained

Geo (as we know him!) has been with the club over a decade. Current WKU British Champion Light Contact 2026. Both his children train with our junior classes too. He is also a WAKO / Kickboxing GB Trained Referee and has just started training in Taekwondo.

Sensei Tommy Keady

2nd Dan Black Belt

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First Aid Trained

DBS Checked

Tommy came to the club already a 1st Dan in Taekwondo, then gained another black belt with the LBKA. He is one of our most talented fighters with decades of experience in points, light con and TKD competing, with his children now also training and competing.

Sensei Pete Bellamy

1st Dan Black Belt

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First Aid Trained

DBS Checked

Pete has been with the club around a decade, outside the club is a teaching assistant in schools, so is a great addition to our team. A great martial artist and musician (plays bass in the LB yearly panto!) Both his children also train in our juniors classes.

Sensei John Cronin

1st Dan Black Belt

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First Aid Trained

Enhanced DBS Checked

John trained with Sensei Jo for over a decade in their former association ECKA, John has a wealth of experience with competing including full contact, his son also now trains with us on Tuesdays too.

Coach Charlie

2nd Dan Black Belt & Class Assistant

Sensei Jack

1st Dan Black Belt & Class Assistant

Coach Riley

1st Dan Black Belt & Class Assistant

Coach Tommy

1st Dan Black Belt & Class Assistant

Coach Lottie

1st Dan Black Belt & Class Assistant

Coach Amelie

Brown Belt & Class Assistant

Our Values

Solidarity

We are a supportive community where friendships are made and members uplift each other.

Independence

We support our members to make their own decisions and goals.

Perseverance

Celebrating perseverance is at the heart of our club.

Playful Dedication

We keep a light hearted spirit, with serious commitment.

Respect

We ensure respect flows in all directions.

Honesty

We are truthful with ourselves and others, knowing our strengths and embracing challenges.

“I’m fitter, healthier, I’ve given up smoking with no chance of going back, in fact I feel the best I ever have and only want to do better. I owe you!”

Pete

“An amazing way to get back into a fitness routine after almost ten years, two babies and coming up to forty years old too. Sensei Jo is an amazing teacher, and is very inspirational and supportive and makes you want to do the best you can. Love it!”

Natasha

“I never thought I would go far in competing. Never even thought I would step onto the mat. So to walk away with a national title is unbelievable. I wouldn’t have accomplished this without Sensei Jo. The dedication that she brings to each lesson and the encouragement given is infectious. The club has become one of the biggest and most positive influences in my life, not just in the dojo as well. Thank you”.

Ken

“Awesome martial arts club! The lessons are interesting, challenging and each one is different. Much more fun than going to a gym! Nice group of students and a great instructor in Sensei Jo.”

Dave

“This is onestly the best-run club we’ve been to. As a parent, the flexibility around attending different training sessions and the level of communication really make this club stand out. My daughter has loved every session. It’s been fantastic for her fitness and confidence, and there’s a real focus on respect and support for everyone.

I would wholeheartedly recommend giving Leighton Buzzard Kickboxing Academy a try!

Catherine

“What an amazing experience my son has had with Leighton Buzzard Kickboxing Academy. A brilliant group of instructors and members. He joined as a junior and moved into the adults class for the past year. It built his confidence, resilience and team work. Whilst he enjoyed the credit of moving through the belts he got far more from building his skills. His motivation has never wained and he loves it so much he was training 4 times per week.”

Maria

“Such an amazing club to be part off. All the team are so helpful and the atmosphere is fantastic! I can feel the difference in my body from training and I am gaining a real sense of achievement from learning the different moves. I am so pleased I have joined.”

Nicola

“We absolutely love this team for our 5 and 8 year old daughters. They are taught physical skills, discipline, self confidence and teamwork. The teen coaches are brilliant role models and the sensei are very inspiring.”

Lydia

“We’ve had such a positive experience with Leighton Buzzard Kickboxing Academy. I have two children attending — one in the Little Buzzards class and one in juniors — and they both absolutely love it. The instructors are fantastic with the kids: patient, encouraging, and great at building confidence as well as discipline.

It’s been wonderful to see how much they’ve developed, not just in their kickboxing skills but also in teamwork and self-confidence. The classes are well organised, fun, and energetic, and my children always look forward to going. I’d highly recommend this academy to any parent looking for a supportive and engaging activity for their kids.”

T.Sarumi

“My son has really developed over the years with kickboxing. Whilst he’s training for future belts and learning new skills and techniques, I love the personal service as a parent I get from Sensei Jo and the other Sensei’s and coaches. I can go to them for honest guidance about next steps for him and I trust their opinion as they are so in tune with all their students.“

Cammie

“Honestly I wish I could give 10 stars. I joined the Kickboxing Academy 4 months ago as a way to get out of my comfort zone and start exercising again after having a baby. I was nervous as didn’t think there would be many women or I’d be so novice that I’d be embarrassed. How wrong I was!

Firstly there’s an amazing mix of men and women (and a women’s only class available) and loads of different levels of experience and opportunity in each class to develop at your own speed, and push yourself whenever you want to! I’ve already gotten my red belt after thinking I wouldn’t want to do grading (you don’t have too – but you’ll want to!), and its grown my confidence immeasurably. I always leave class feeling like a better version of myself and thats pretty awesome! Just do it!“

Ella

“My daughters have built friendships at LBKA that exist completely outside of our home and school life, friends who know them in a different context. This matters enourmously, particular for children who are navigating the world in ways that are not always easy. Their social world is richer and more varied because of the club.

I cannot say enough about the ethos of this club, inclusive in the truest sense of the word. SEN aware, patient, disciplined and genuinely kind. The values they teach extend far beyond the class“

Fen