BTS Founder

Joe Brown

6th Dan Master Joe Brown is a true icon of taekwondo, having founded British Taekwondo South in 1981, which later evolved into British Taekwondo Schools. Throughout his coaching career, Joe has led athletes to victory at National, European, World, and Olympic levels. His son and former BTS athlete and coach, Gareth, is now Head Coach of the US Olympic Taekwondo Team.

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Beyond his success in taekwondo, Joe's professional journey has been equally remarkable. He is a decorated former-British serviceman and proudly served in conflicts across the world from the age of fifteen. He was instrumental in building the military’s own taekwondo initiatives and has also worked as a bodyguard for VIPs and Hollywood superstars.

With unparalleled experience and a legacy that continues to inspire, Master Joe Brown remains an invaluable asset to British Taekwondo Schools and the entire taekwondo community.

Head Coach

Steve Johnson

Steve joined BTS when he was five years old, training under Joe Brown and later his son, Gareth. Twenty-five years later, and a 4th Dan Black Belt, Steve now leads our Coaching Team.
 

He holds a Level 2 Coaching Certificate from British Taekwondo, which has been designed to meet all professional standards required by the Department for Education and the Chartered Institute for Management of Sport and Physical Activity. He travels worldwide supporting our athletes in competitions from Las Vegas to Germany to Albania, and beyond. He also leads training day to day. Under Steve's coaching, we've seen multiple BTS athletes progress to Team GB.

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Beyond taekwondo, Steve is a founding member of the hugely successful Saints of Southampton, who take part in extreme sporting challenges to raise money for local charities​.

Team Coach

Craig Roppolo

Craig discovered taekwondo as an adult, just wanting to try something new. More than twenty years later he's central to the BTS story, a testament to the clubs' values of personal development and perseverance, and a constant calm and encouraging presence for team members of all ages and abilities.

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Craig is a 4th Dan Black Belt and holds a Level 2 Coaching Certificate from British Taekwondo.​

Team Coach

Adam Harris

Adam has been part of Team BTS since he was eight years old. Growing up in our club, he competed extensively across the UK and Europe, and joined the GB Talent Squad at age 13.

At 16 he began his coaching journey, learning from Joe Brown and becoming a vital leader in our Youth Team. Nearly two decades later, his students have competed worldwide, winning many national and international medals.

Adam is a 4th Dan Black Belt and holds a Level 2 Coaching Certificate from British Taekwondo.

Team Coach

Jeamy Navarro-Shrank

Jeamy leapt onto the BTS mats for the first time when she was eight years old, gaining her belts and competing with us for the next fifteen years. Now a 4th Dan Black Belt, she brings her experience and expertise to our Coaching Team.

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As a BTS athlete, Jeamy was seven-times British National Champion, amongst many other domestic and international titles, and represented Team GB at Youth Level. ​She loves working with our youngest team members, helping them discover the excitement of taekwondo and kickstart their journeys in the same way as her own.​