Alan Ruddock - Chief Instructor

From an early age, Alan Ruddock practiced Judo and Jiujitsu. In the early sixties he started his karate training in England, among others, Murakami sensei, and opened the first Shotokan Karate dojo in Ireland several years later. In 1964 he arrived in Japan where he studied at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo under the guidance of the founder of Aikido, Ueshiba Morihei. In addition he practiced Aikido with Yamaguchi Seigo, Osawa Kisaburo, Nishio Shoji. Back in Europe Alan Ruddock trained with, among others, Nakazone Mutsuro. In 1975 he founded an Aikido dojo on the Isle of Man, where he still teaches, as well as giving many Aikido course in Ireland (along with Henry Kono from Canada, also a student of Ueshiba).

John Slater - 3rd Dan - Instructor

John started aikido in 1971 when the Manchester & District Aikikai was founded. He attained his Black Belt in 1975, second Dan in 1981 and was awarded third Dan by Alan Ruddock in 2003.

Margaret Thompson - 2nd Dan - Instructor

Margaret started practicing Aikido with the Club in January 1973. She attained her Black Belt in 1976 and second Dan in 1983.

Jim Evans - 2nd Dan - Instructor

Jim started practicing Aikido with the Club in January 1989. He attained his Black Belt in 1998, and was awarded his second Dan by Alan Ruddock in 2004.