Gourock's Chief Instructor:

John H Lightbody 5th Dan, Founder & Chief Instructor of Freestyle, SSMA. Born, Irvine. Scotland. Age 42. Married 18 Years to Dorothy with 3 Daughters, Leanne, Fiona & Erin.

John's introduction to Martial Arts was initially Judo, when he was 13 Years old ('79-'81)- training for 2 years getting his Green belt. However, after seeing his first Kung Fu Flick he wanted to learn some kicks. He joined a local Shotokan Karate Club in Greenock, he was not impressed.
His Martial Arts life was put on hold, until a nasty Motorcycle accident at 18 left him debilitated in Hospital for several weeks, sustaining: left arm fracture, right arm fracture & shattered elbow, compound fracture to the pelvis, dislocating his left knee cap and numerous lesions. (The motorbike didn't fair any better!),this resulting in long period of physiotherapy and encouraged him to venture out to find a sport / exercise he would find therapeutic, not contemplating Martial Arts.
He met Sifu James Watson, Kung Fu 5th Degree,(Summer 1986)Under GrandMaster Phil Mead 7th Dan, who encouraged him to "give it a try"..... he did and found training with Sifu Watson a very enjoyable experience after 3 years, reaching Blue Sash. ('86-'90) Stagnating slightly with the Kung Fu led John to venture forth in another direction and he decided to try Master Teh's Tukido Click here for Tukido background..., with the then Chief Instructor, Master Gerard Dalziel 4th Dan, training until at 1st Dan Black Belt, when Master Dalziel left Tukido ranks and broke away. John along with many senior students followed him.('90-'93)
Gaining his 1st Dan Black Belt September 1994 with Master Gerard Dalziel in their then new Freestyle Art. A couple of years on Master Dalziel had to quit his Gourock School, leaving John and fellow students unawares. Recommended by family, friends and of course fellow martial arts members to lead the Gourock club, contacting the Scottish School of Martial Arts Association, founded and directed by Multiple Black Belt, Alex Wasinowics 5th Dan , he was requested to attend a day course in Aberdeen with Mr. Wasinowics and Master Gilhooley 7th Dan and was awarded his Instructors Certificate. Again returning some months later for his 2nd Dan Black Belt(August 1996).
Injury reared it's ugly face again September 1996 while in Holiday with Family in Florida, John managed to fall while "clowning" about which resulted in an aggravated right shoulder dislocation. He was "lucky" enough 2 years later to the date, to pop it out again, Jackie was on the spot to put it back in (to his surprise!), this resulting with a period of 3 months of none use again. Patience and hard work have the punches fast and furious once more. Subsequent grading for 3rd Dan awarded 1st December 1999 also by Alex and Master Gilhooley.
A popular, busy and successful school has been thriving since 1995 in Gourock, John now has supervised 19 Black Belts (4th Dan Instructor Jackie Marshall, 3rd Dan Instructor Carol Kelly and 2nd Dan Instructor Lindsay Stewart, 2nd Dan's Mark Hillan, Joanne Christie, Eight 1st Dan Black Belt Adults and Eight Junior 1st Dan Black Belts!). Kids Memberships is healthy with busy evening classes! Adult Membership also healthy with an array of talented, dedicated, Students. 2008 update: May 2008, John was involved in another motorcycle accident, Newark section A8, luckily was only doing 50mph at collision. This accident resulted in chip to right elbow, (shattered in 1985 accident, same arm also dislocated), and right forearm also suffered brachialis anticus strain. Worse than that was the right knee: which suffered rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament, which was a tad sore. Will maintain efforts to gradually get back into action, though must admit not getting younger either... :-)
John by profession, is employed with Teknek Ltd in Inchinnan... Teknek Manufacturing. Inchinnan

Port Glasgow's Instructor:

Jackie Marshall 4th Dan, Born in Port Glasgow, Scotland. Age 36. His good lady is Pauline Clark, they have twins, Sam and Amy Marshall (twins at front o pic).


Jackie''s life in Martials Arts started with Aikido ,(90-'91) in which he trained for a while in this and has the greatest respect for this form of Martial Arts. Not through choice he felt that something allowing quicker adaptability would be worth a try. He joined Gerard Dalziels Freestyle Club ('91-'95)where he immediatley showed excellent understanding and ability. He was later to encourage John Lightbody on Master Dalziels disappearance to lead Gourock School, Jackies motivation and martial ability grew, Jackie was awarded his 1st Dan Black Belt in November 1996 by John Lightbody and Alex Wasinowics. Two years on and Jackie travelled to Aberdeen for his 2nd Dan and was so impressive on the day of Grading he was awarded an A Plus pass by Association Chief Instructor and Founder, Alex Wasinowics 5th Dan.

Jackie started his own school of Kickboxing shortly after his 1st Dan Black Belt (approx 1996)and has built a successful Club for Kids and Adults.
Jackie has also had some sparring sessions with Full Contact Super-Middleweight World WKA Kickboxing Champion Lex Easdon and his students in Paisley.
Looking to the future his intentions are to keep on the path he has found and to continue to train hard. He has been contemplating for sometime doing some competition stuff, watch this space. Of course now being a successful Instructor comes also the responsibilities and pride of witnessing his Students progress. March 2000, Jackie got his first lot of 1st Dan Black Belt's, emotions were high on the night not just for the Students, Jackie would be the 1st to admit a lump in his throat, on that occasion.

On Sunday December 16th 2001 Jackie was accompanied by John and they both travelled to Aberdeen with Leanne & Fiona on-tow, (John's kids), both performed in a freezing hall and late nerves which caused a visit to the wash room, Alex and a Black Belt Student for assistance put Jackie and John through advanced kicking and punching techniques, attack and defence (1-2-1) Fighting Forms and Sparring. A very impressed Examiner was proud to promote to the SSMA board two new members and 3rd Dan Black Belt well earned for Mr. Marshall.

Jackie also possesses the latest up-to-date First Aid Certification.

Jackie by profession is the Senior Sales Engineer for Loctite/Henkel ..



Some Major highlights of his Martial Arts life, would be Witnessing the progress made by all his Students and the successful Bill "Superfoot" Wallace Seminar held in, Boglestone, Port Glasgow Club, where "Superfoot" was quoted being very impressed with "these guys kicking ability". We were also the 1st ever Martial Arts Club to participate in Gourock's Highland Games, Summer 1998.

24 years of training later and who knows what the future will hold. John expresses his gratitude to all Students and Family for their never ending support.


A big thank you to all Students, past, present and future, their loyalty is very much appreciated.



Assistant Instructor's.

Carol Kelly, 3rd Dan. Born, Greenock. Scotland.

(Carol is the one in the middle).

Carol, who has been training for 9 years passed her 3rd Dan November 2006. Carole is a permanent assistant to Jackie in his Port Glasgow Kickboxing classes and has maintained her training and instructing diligently since she first ever stepped into the Kickboxing World. Thanks Carole!


 Freestyle's Black Belts.

Under Scottish School of Martial Arts Association Directorate, (Founder Alex Wasinowisc 5th Dan, with rules originating via his Karate-Do background: Click here for SKF Scotland. The following should be adhered with: 2 years between 1st and 2nd Dan, 3 years from 2nd to 3rd Dan, 4 years from 3rd to 4th Dan, 5 years from 4th to 5th Dan, etc. 4th Dan and above is an Instructors promotion being awarded after appropriate period for tenure by an Instructor. This level grading should only take place with at least 13 years continous training, which can be verified by a recognised fellow Instructor or Association.

John Lightbody 1st Dan Sept 1994, 2nd Dan 1996, 3rd Dan 1999, 4th Dan 2003, 5th Dan 2008

Certificates (to be updated) -

Jackie Marshall 1st Dan November 1996, 2nd Dan 1998, 3rd Dan 2001, 4th Dan 2005

Certificates (to be updated)-

Lindsay Stewart (Instructor) 1st Dan 2001 2nd Dan Mar 2007 (GK)

Carol Forbes (Instructor) 1st Dan Feb 2000 2nd Dan March 2002 3rd Dan October 2006(PG)

Joanne Christie 1st Dan 2000 (Junior) 2nd Dan June 2004 (GK)(NT)

Mark Hillan 1st Dan June 2005 2nd Dan July 2007 (GK)

Matthew Fulton 1st Dan 12th December 2005 2nd Dan July 2009 (GK)

Scott Anderson 1st Dan March 2000 (PG)

Alan Sherrard 1st Dan March 2000 (PG) (NT)

Colin Hamilton 1st Dan Aug 2000 (GK) (NT)

Lisa Aitken 1st Dan August 2000(GK) (NT)

Ellis Elliott 1st Dan 2000 (PG) (NT)

Joseph McIntyre 1st Dan 2001 (Junior)(PG)(NT)

Lisa Blaikey 1st Dan Feb 2000 (Junior)(GK)(NT)

Alan McGee 1st Dan Feb 2000 (Junior)(GK)(NT)

Gus Smith 1st Dan 2001 (GK)(NT)

Heather Smith 1st Dan 2001 (GK)(Junior) (NT)

Jamie Smith 1st Dan 2001 (GK)(Junior) (NT)

Angela McMillan (PG)1st Dan March 2002

Natasha Campbell (Junior)(PG)1st Dan March 2004 (NT)

Jamie Campbell (Junior)(PG)1st Dan March 2004 (NT)

Fiona Ritchie (PG)1st Dan March 2004 (NT)

Antonia Imponenti (Junior) (GK) 12th December 2005

Marcus Fulton (Junior) GK 2006

Robbie Fulton (Junior) GK 2007

Keiran Wilson (Junior) GK 2007 (NT)

Bill Baumann 1st Dan 2008 (PG & GK)

(NT = No Longer Training)

All Black Belts have worked for their belt and deserve true credit for their award. They will admit themselves of being aware of their ability and what they have achieved. It has been hard earned, but well deserved in all cases! n.b it is common place unfortunately, for students to "move one" on accomplishing 1st Dan Black Belt, this (although being expert attained level) is still only part of the entire picture, far more can be achieved by honing and mastering ones ability / skills.

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