Great Britain Martial Arts Team

Chris founded the Great Britain Martial Arts Team (GBMAT) in 2011, leading a small team of athletes to the European Martial Arts Games (EMAG) in Cheltenham, UK. Chris has gone on to lead GB Teams to World Martial Arts Games (WMAG) and another EMAG too : 2012 Austria (WMAG), 2013 Austria (WMAG), 2014 Canada (TAFISA WMAG), 2015 UK (WMAG) & Host, 2016 South Africa (WMAG), 2017 USA (WMAG), 2018 Liechtenstein (EMAG) & Host, 2019 UK (WMAG) & Host. 

Chris covers the GBMAT Training Sessions for the Eastern Regions, but you will see him attending and supporting other Squad Training Sessions up and down the Country.

• What Styles of Martial Art do you Coach ?  WT Taekwondo, Kickboxing, Self Defence & Kenjutsu.
• What is your GBMAT best experience as a Coach ? Apart from watching two of my Daughters become World Champions, on more than one occasion (very proud Dad moment). Meeting the Team of Coaches, becoming friends with them all and then being able to share our knowledge and training experiences together, and with the athletes that qualify for the Team.
• What are your thoughts on the opportunities available to athletes Internationally through the GBMAT ? I see athletes reach some incredibly high standards at Local, Area and National Competitions, so to be able to offer up an opportunity to compete at International level and then watch athletes succeed is incredibly satisfying.
• Fun Facts - I enjoy Building Houses (something I should do again), Studying Architecture, Driving Fast Cars, Traveling, Training Overseas and of course I eat, drink and sleep Martial Arts.

Irfan has been involved with GBMAT Competition Circuit since 2014 and as one of the Teams National Coaches oversees the GBMAT Squad Training Sessions for the North West of the Country.

• What Styles of Martial Art do you Coach ? Karate, Grappling, Self-defence, Weapons & Kickboxing.
• What is your GBMAT best experience as a Coach ? I have found the GBMAT team to be the friendliest group of people. They are all humble, respectful and we all go out of our way to help each other excel and to bring the best out in our students. There are no macho-men (or women) with bad attitudes so to speak of. The sporting attitude to seek perfection through repeated endeavour is always present. This is why I prefer to be associated with GBMAT. My best experience has been to be asked to formulate the Kumite Rules and to lead the Trad events as GB Trad Coach, and, of course for many of my pupils to become multiple World Champs in various events.
• What are your thoughts on the opportunities available to athletes Internationally through the GBMAT ? GBMAT is the ideal route through which talent can be realised and then raised to World level performances. The GB Team selection process is fair and guidance is given throughout the journey to representing GB without the ambiguous worry of costs involved which other organisations spring upon you at the last minute to fill their pockets!
• Fun Facts - I Love sharing of beneficial knowledge and my experiences in Martial Arts and seeing youngsters develop from zero confidence to becoming World Champs and seeing them excel in different aspects of their lives - just love it.

Dave leads the Coaching Team at the Midland Areas Squad Training Sessions, in Redditch, Worcestershire. Dave and Chris have been successfully Coaching together since 2008 and more recently are hosting the Midland Martial Arts Competitions together.

• What Styles of Martial Art do you Coach ? Free style and Traditional Shotokan. 
• What is your GBMAT best experience as a Coach ? Best experience training and competing alongside athletes in 2019 was an amazing experience.
• What are your thoughts on the opportunities available to athletes Internationally through the GBMAT ? Opens up the chance to train, compete and learn off athletes from around the world. 
• Fun Facts - If only my dancing was half as good as my karate lol. Won the GB v USA Team Kumite at the London 2019 World Martial Arts Games from a losing position, was the last man on, with a broken hand. 

Harriet is Chris Hemstock's eldest Daughter, starting her journey in martial arts and being coached by Chris since 1997.

Harri has been involved with GBMAT from the outset in 2011, successfully competing at not only the European Martial Arts Games in 2011 (UK) but also at the World Martial Arts Games in 2012 (AUT), 13 (AUT), 14 (CAN), 15 (UK), 17 (USA) and 2023 (USA)

• What Styles of Martial Art do you Coach ? WT Taekwondo 
• What is your GBMAT best experience as a Coach ? The feeling of the team spirit throughout the GBMAT, from our first International experience, right through to today. Coaching my Father at the 2014 TAFISA World Martial Arts Games in Canada during the Point Sparring. Coaching athletes at the first World Games we attended in 2012 in Austria. The experience of competing in another Country, for the  young children in the Team, must have been testing, I like to think I was of some help, calming their nerves :)
• What are your thoughts on the opportunities available to athletes Internationally through the GBMAT?  The experience of meeting, watching and ultimately learning from other athletes from around the world has always fascinated me. So to think of the educational martial arts experience, that GBMAT athletes will have when they travel with the Team is priceless.
• Fun Facts - I’ve travelled Europe in a campervan. Climbed Table Top Mountain.

Pete joined the Team in 2017 as an athlete but has completely thrown himself into Coaching the GBMAT and is now hosting the Western areas and Wales Squad Training sessions.

• What Styles of Martial Art do you Coach ? Wado-Ryu Karate, Full Contact Karate & Kickboxing.
• What is your GBMAT best experience as a Coach ? My GBMAT best experience as a coach was actually our team bonding day in 2018, where we all enjoyed developing strong friendships through games of bowling and laser tag, and other team games.  It really allowed us to go into the European Championships with a real strength of unity as one team. 
• What are your thoughts on the opportunities available to athletes Internationally through the GBMAT? There is a wealth of experience within the coaching staff of the GBMAT, which some athletes may not know about.  Many of us have competed at the highest level and have a proven track record of winning multiple titles at both National and International events. In short, we know how to win in our respected fields. For some athletes it can be hard to automatically trust a new coach after being selected to the GBMAT that isn't their club coach and at some level I can understand this....but the opportunity to train with some of Britain's finest and most knowledgeable coaches across multiple disciplines must outweigh this.  It's precisely the fact that because of the range of styles available to train in with the GBMAT coaches, you can develop your martial arts ability to new heights.  So, get out there, travel to the different regions, and make the most of your chance to become a champion.
• Fun Facts - I'm a massive Country Music Fan. I dance in the kitchen every time I cook. I support Wycombe Wanderers Football Club. I'll literally do anything for a Toblerone - dares included. Pranking unsuspecting family and friends with stupid practical jokes is my perfect hobby.....although not theirs weirdly ha. 

Adam, along with Kevin over see the Self Defence and Grappling Training for the GBMAT. Adam has been working with Chris on the Competition circuit since 2015.

• What Styles of Martial Art do you Coach ? Japanese Ju-Jitsu, Goshin Ryu Self Defence and Wadokai Karate. 
• What is your GBMAT best experience as a Coach ? Being part of the journey that sees students achieve their highest potential. 
• What are your thoughts on the opportunities available to athletes Internationally through the GBMAT? GBMAT offers unique and unparalleled opportunities to all athletes. The chance to represent your country in a competitive environment against the best athletes from around the globe, in competitions that are professionally run, well organised, conducted with fairness and good sportsmanship as key values for all. 
• Fun Facts -  I’m the same height as Tom Cruise.

Together with Adam, Kevin oversees the Self Defence and Grappling Training for the GBMAT too. Kevin has also been actively involved since 2015 along side Chris on the Competition Circuit.

•  What Styles of Martial Art do you Coach ? Japanese Jujitsu, Goshin Ryu, Laido. 
• What is your GBMAT best experience as a Coach ? Seeing the progression of all the Athletes from our GB Training Sessions to putting it to test on the International Stage. Also, seeing everyone's confidence grow. And most importantly, enjoying martial arts.
• What are your thoughts on the opportunities available to athletes Internationally through the GBMAT? Athletes get the opportunity to meet new people with the same passion as themselves. They get to train alongside them. All while developing friendships and encouraging each other to be the best they can be.
• Fun Facts -  I can ride a unicycle.

Mike joined the GBMAT Team initially as an Athlete, qualifying for the 2018 European Martial Arts Games. Mike, Shaun and Phil over see the Southern Areas Training Sessions.

• What Styles of Martial Art do you Coach ? Wado-Ryu Karate.
• What is your GBMAT best experience as a Coach ? From a personal training perspective, Team kata at the European Martial Arts Games in Liechtenstein. As a Coach seeing students win at the World Martial Arts Games in London 2019 against some strong opposition was a highlight. But the main thing is the friendly, helpful environment every time we all get together. 
• What are your thoughts on the opportunities available to athletes Internationally through the GBMAT?  Giving athletes the opportunity to compete around, not just the country, but the world is huge. Being able to say you represent GB is an great honour.  I also find it keeps you training harder within the dojo. We alway see a huge lift in the ability of students when they compete with GBMAT.
• Fun Facts - Karate related fact- I gained my first belt (9th Kyu) in October 1993 when I was 7.  Non karate related fact. I love travel, have trained in Muay Thai in Thailand and scuba dive when I can. I am currently at 32 countries and aim at getting to 40 by 2025.

Shaun became involved with the GBMAT during 2018 after qualifying for the European Martial Arts Games in Liechtenstein. Shaun, along with Mike and Phil host the Southern Areas Training Sessions.

• What Styles of Martial Art do you Coach ? Wado-Ryu Karate, but all Karate Style Competition Kata.
• What is your GBMAT best experience as a Coach ? Best experience as a coach is just generally meeting new people and helping other enhance their karate journey.
• What are your thoughts on the opportunities available to athletes Internationally through the GBMAT? Opportunities to athletes are amazing with a chance to compete with Team GB and to potentially travel the world.
• Fun Facts - I was once in a magazine as a lookalike for Grant Mitchell.

Together with Shaun and Mike, Phil takes care of the Southern Areas GBMAT Squad Training. Phil became involved with the GBMAT after co-hosting, along with Pete a Competition qualifier for the 2018 European Martial Arts Games.

• What Styles of Martial Art do you Coach ? Goju Ryu Karate
• What is your GBMAT best experience as a Coach ? Watching students take part for the first time and come away with no medals but a positive experience and having had fun. To then keep coming back and a few years later be owning the top step of the podium.
• What are your thoughts on the opportunities available to athletes Internationally through the GBMAT? I love the inclusive nature that GBMAT offers and the range of martial arts it brings together. Being able to share experiences and learn new things across a range of martial arts platforms is invaluable.
• Fun Facts - I trained to be a stuntman.