David began his journey into Martial Arts at the age of 8, attending a local Judo club but not realising how much grappling would influence his life. He also trained to a high level in Wing Chun Kung Fu until his late teens, travelling to Hong Kong to continue his training.

After returning to the UK he completed a BSc in Sport & Exercise Science at the University of Birmingham alongside training in Boxing.

After returning to South Wales to complete a PGCE in Secondary Physical Education teaching he walked through the doors of the ‘Chris Rees Academy’ and fell in love with Jiu-Jitsu.

After moving to Warwickshire to work and live in his Wife’s hometown of Rugby, he began a search for a local Jiu-Jitsu school that matched the standard of what he had experienced thus far.

After visiting several schools with positive experiences, he decided to make the journey up to Gracie Barra Nottingham to train with a team packed full of up and coming athletes who love Jiu-Jitsu.

He competed until purple belt winning and medaling several times at the British Open Gi and No Gi, the English Open, the Welsh Open and many others.

“I wish to do for others what Jiu-Jitsu has done for me”
David decided to put competition on the back foot and focus full time on teaching, earning his Black-Belt and bringing world class Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defence Instruction to Rugby.
After 6 years running the academy we felt that in order to continue to grow into one of the leading Jiu-Jitsu schools in the UK; we needed to move to a team that has a strong focus on competition for future generations and has a strong moral and community focus helping those who can improve their lives through Jiu-Jitsu.

That team is:

DREAM ART