Chief Instructor Farhad Ali

Grade Black Belt 3rd Dan

Farhad started his martial arts training in Sheffield at a Karate Club on London road. During his teens he also so cross-trained in Boxing at the Old Croft House Amateur Boxing gym. While studying at Loughborough University, Farhad discovered Kickboxing, as it incorporated both Boxing and Karate. During that time Farhad also exchanged ideas on a less formal basis with foreign students from Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

Farad was later chosen to represent the University as the team's Lightweight fighter. He took his Black Belt in 1997 and is currently holds a Black Belt 3rd Dan. Farhads fighting career spanned across a whole decade competing in many forms of Kickboxing and other combat sports winning 3 title belts in the process.

Now totally committed to the development of his students whether competitive or not, Farhad has reawaken Sheffield's kickboxing scene. Sheffield Kick boxers are now back on the map and the rest of the country had better watch out!

Andy Lacey (Also known as Big Andy)

Grade Black Belt 1st Dan

Big Andy fought out of Chesterfield during the 1990's competing at full contact kickboxing. During that time Andy fought at a professional level, notably going the distance twice with World Heavyweight champion Simon Dore.

Andy met Farhad at another local kickboxing club while Farhad was still competing. They shared similar ideas and outlooks on the sport and a strong friendship ensued. Andy was asked to keep up his involvement with the sport and is now a driving force behind AFK fighters and also has lead responsibility for private lessons during the daytimes.

Having previously worked in private security, Andy also acquires a strong knowledge of practical street self-defense.

Mark Howarth

Mark is AFK's friendly face. Farhad taught him from his late teens when AFK was first established having come from a Shaolin Kung Fu background. Mark has taught many external and internal kickboxing training courses for young people and many community groups. Mark works as a youth worker and learning mentor both of which have added to his interpersonal skills as an instructor and has lead responsibility for the AFK beginners and women's programmes.

Sajad Baroo

Affectionately known as Unle Saj. Saj is AFK's Self defence consultant, like his colleague Mark, Saj also works as a youth worker. Saj has his background in Ju Jitsu and adds an extra dimension to AFK's already well-rounded curriculum. Saj is available for workshops and seminars within the club on the Self defence aspects of martial arts and combines them well with his knowledge of kickboxing.

Instructors in Training

AFK operate an intensive instructor training programme for those who would like to instruct one day. So far we have the following candidates who are currently undergoing instructor training. They have been handpicked for their techical prowess as well as their ability to pass techniques on to others. ALL of our instructors are CRB checked without exception.

Becky Usher