Sifu Raymond Rand - Founder and Technical Director

Sifu Rand began training in the Chinese Martial Arts, specifically Tai Chi Chuan, Chi Kung, Chin Na, I-Chuan and Choy Lee Fut (Bak Hsing) in January 1976, with Master Lam Kam Chuen. Prior to this he had three years experience in Ten Shin Shinyo Ryu (Ju Jitsu) and some six months in Wing Chung.

Sifu Rand started the first class at Middlesex University in June 1983 at the request of his teacher, Master Lam, and was a founder member, and first chairman, of the Lam Tai Chi Association which started in 1982.

In 1994 Sifu Rand founded the Middlesex University Students Tai Chi Chuan Association, in recognition of the growing number of students at Middlesex University and the need for his own senior students to have a recognised platform from which to grow.

In July 2000 the Middlesex University Students Tai Chi Chuan Association became the Yongquan Tai Chi Chuan Association and in 2006 the name was officially changed to the Yongquan Martial Arts Association.
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Sifu Douglas Robertson - Chairman

Sifu Robertson began training with Sifu Rand in July 1983, he gained his Level 3 (advanced) teaching certificate in 1994 and was awarded the rank of Sifu in April 1999. He is a founder member of the YMAA.

Sifu Robertson teaches Luton and was a member of both display teams which demonstrated at the Masters events run by Sifu Young.

Sifu Donald Kerr LSOM - Treasurer

Sifu Kerr began training with Sifu Rand in September 1984, he gained his Level 3 (advanced) teaching certificate in 1994 and was awarded the rank of Sifu in April 1999. He is a founder member of the YMAA. Sifu Kerr is also a Lee School of Oriental Medicine qualified acupuncturist and holds a degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Sifu Kerr teaches at Arkley and Barnet YMAA school and was a member of both display teams which demonstrated at the Masters events run by Sifu Young.

Sifu Jonathan Newman

Sifu Newman began training with Sifu Rand in September 1985, he gained his Level 3 (advanced) teaching certificate in 1995 and was awarded the rank of Sifu in April 1999. He is a founder member of the YMAA.

Sifu Newman was a member of both display teams which demonstrated at the Masters events run by Sifu Young. Though not currently teaching as part of the YMAA, Sifu Newman remains an honorary member of the association.

Sifu Damon Smith

Having tried a number of different martial arts in the late 1970s and early 80s, Sifu Smith began studying the internal martial arts in 1985. He has specialised in Hsing-I, learning from a number of native Chinese teachers, including: Master Yeoung Ko Te and Master Zhu Guang (both Guo Yun Shen lineage). In addition he studies Choy Lee Fut and Tai Chi Chuan with Sifu Rand, and also practices Kempo.

Sifu Smith currently teaches in Cornwall by arrangement.

Other senior YMAA qualified instructors

Jon Doveston
Jon took up Southern Shaolin in 1995 and then Hsing-I in 1997. He subsequently joined Sifu Smith in 2002 in order to further his Hsing-I studies. He was awarded the Level 3 Hsing-I teaching certificate in 2008.

Matthew Calvert
has been awarded his Level 2 teaching certificate with martial endorsement in Tai Chi Chuan and level 2 teaching certificate in Choy Lee Fut. He teaches his own classes, assists Sifu Kerr with teaching and is a member of the YMAA display team.

Graham Barlow
began training in October 1993 when he trained for one year before moving to a new area. He resumed his training in 1999 and has been awarded his level 2 teaching certificate with martial endorsement in Tai Chi Chuan and level 2 teaching certificate in Choy Lee Fut. He teaches a Monday evening class in Bath. Graham is a member of the YMAA display team.