A circular emblem featuring a meditating monk in yellow robes with a hand symbol on his chest, set against a gradient black background. The top of the emblem has the words 'LAU GAR', and the bottom has 'GUARDIAN'. Two Chinese characters are on either side of the monk.

The Guardians represent, promote and develop the style of Lau Gar Kung Fu, for the benefit of current and future generations of students.

Guardians are very experienced instructors who are appointed by the Head of the Lau Gar style, Grandmaster Jeremy Yau. They ensure the BKFA remains inclusive and that Lau Gar is available to everyone who wishes to learn this truly excellent form of martial arts.

You can meet our fantastic Guardians at BKFA national training events, where they lead the training sessions and provide expert guidance and instruction to students of all grades.

Here’s a picture of Guardians and Grandmaster Yau at the Lau Family Training Weekend in April 2026.

The annual Guardian challenge, open to all clubs, students and instructors, brings everyone together in a shared goal which is both challenging and fun to do. Guardians also deliver additional training opportunities to help students develop new skills and gain a deeper understanding of Lau Gar.

Guardians are located across the UK and Ireland, often running one or more clubs in their region and/or supporting other local instructors.

See below for a list of Lau Gar Guardians available to students and instructors in the BKFA network. For more information on the Guardians please email: BKFA@hotmail.co.uk

Close-up of an elderly man with gray hair, light skin, and a serious expression, wearing a dark jacket and a blue shirt, against a plain white background.

Master John Russell
West Midlands

A smiling man with short dark hair wearing a light-colored shirt

Jim Cairns
Scotland

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Alec Clark
West Midlands

A young woman with curly hair, smiling, wearing a red shirt, standing in front of a colorful mural.

Holly Cook
West Midlands

A bald man wearing glasses and a dark blue button-up shirt, standing against a light-colored background.

Frankie Cooper
South East England

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Jason Crabtree
Wales

A man with short light brown hair, wearing a purple sweater over a checkered shirt, smiling and looking at the camera. Plain beige wall background.

Derek Dawson
Ireland

A bald man wearing a red and black sports jacket

Rajko Dokic
East Midlands

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Robert Francis
East Midlands
BKFA Board Member

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Sharon Gill
South West England

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Riona Grainger
North West England

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Jane Gratton,
West Midlands
BKFA Board Member

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Pete Hornby
West Midlands
BKFA Board Member

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Stewart Hunt
Northern England BKFA Board Member

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Carl Jones
Wales
BKFA Board Member

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Gary King
Midlands
BKFA Board Member

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Andrew Nation
South West England

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Alan Neeld
West Midlands

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Bobby O’Neill
Ireland

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Rash Patel
South West England
BKFA Board Member

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Morag Quirk
West Midlands

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Aimee Seymour
East Midlands

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Clive Thompson
East Midlands

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Sean Viera
South West England

Holly started her Lau Gar training as a child with her mum, Jane, and is now a 5th degree black sash and senior instructor at the Staffordshire clubs. She became the youngest ever Lau Gar guardian in 2020, and teaches all ages and abilities at BKFA events.

Holly has 14 national titles in kung fu and tai chi, and she placed 12th at the 2018 Taijiquan World Championships, where she represented Great Britian. She won gold, silver, and bronze at the 2018 European Qigong Championships

Riona is a 5th Degree Black Sash and has been training since the age of 9 for 30 years. She has spent many years attending courses including Summer Courses, Lau Family Weekend and Weapons courses. She has also competed in numerous set competitions as well as performing demonstrations at events and celebrations. 

Jane is a 5th Degree Lau Gar senior instructor and a former national sets champion. She has been practising Lau Gar kung Fu for over 20 years and regularly attends the annual BKFA Summer Course, Lau Family Weekend training and Black Sash Master Classes to support students of all grades. A BKFA board member, she leads on marketing and communications for the Association.

Pete is a 7th Degree Black Sash senior Instructor and has been practising Lau Gar since 1975. As well as running the Stafford and Cannock clubs, he organises BKFA national courses and events, administers BKFA membership, and acts as company secretary to the Association. Pete teaches at BKFA courses and masterclasses, including the annual Summer Course and the Lau Family Training weekend, which he established in 2021.

“Through the BKFA, I can pass on decades of knowledge and experience that I have had the privilege of learning from Grandmaster Yau and Master Russell. I am very grateful to them and now want to help ensure the legacy of Lau Gar lives on for many years to come”.

Carl is a 7th Degree Black Sash and has been practising Lau Gar Kung Fu since 1975. He is a senior instructor at our clubs in South Wales and also teaches at BKFA national courses. To promote Lau Gar and Chinese culture, Carl teaches the traditional Lion Dance and Dragon Dance, which are regularly performed to audiences at a variety of events. Carl is a Board member and Treasurer for the BKFA.

Gary is a 6th Degree Lau Gar senior instructor teaching at the Birmingham Master Class and the Nuneaton club. He has been practising Lau Gar Kung Fu for over 45 years and regularly attends the Lau Family Weekend training, Black Sash Master Classes and Brown sash workshops to support students of all grades. Gary is Chair of the BKFA and a member of the marketing and training teams.

Alan began his Lau Gar training in 1974 at the Birmingham club, under the tutelage and guidance of Grand Master Yau. He gained his first-degree black sash in 1981 achieving a grade “B”. He went on to train privately on a one-to-one basis with Master Yau for over 20 years, honing his skills and knowledge. In 2000, he became a founder member of the Lau Gar Guardians.

Alan has taught at many Lau Gar clubs in the West Midlands, including Solihull, West Bromwich, Redditch, Yardly, Kidderminster and Kings Heath. Today, he instructs students of all skill levels, from beginners to senior black sash grades, at his Kings Heath club.

  • Open to all clubs, students and instructors, the Guardian Challenge brings everyone together in a shared goal. It is physically challenging, fun to do, and raises money for the Lau Gar Trust.

    Look out for details of the next Guardian Challenge on the homepage and the BKFA Calendar.

  • All grades can learn additional skills, including weapons forms, that are outside of the core Lau Gar syllabus.

    These specialist courses, seminars and workshops are taught by Guardians and instructors and are held regionally throughout the year.

    Here are some of the courses available to all BKFA members:

    Standard BKFA Courses

    • Lau Gar Black Sash Workshop

    • Lau Gar Instructor and Black Sash Master Class

    • Brown Sash Course

    • First Aid and Anatomy

    • Coaching Level 1 & 2

    • Referee

     Additional BKFA Courses

    • Lau Gar Application

    • Self-Defence

    • Chin na

    • Pushing Hands

    • Tai Chi

    • Meditation

    • Chi Kung

    • Dual Man Form

    • Dragon Sword

    • Fan

    • Fan and Sword

    • Three Section Staff

    • Chain Whip

    • Bench

    • Dragon Fist

    • Long Fist

    • Drunken Fist

    • Praying Mantis

    • Chinese Grappling/Wrestling, Chin-Na/ Shuai Jiao

    • Knife Awareness

    These courses enable students of all grades to learn something new and different. (Minimum age restrictions may apply).

    More details are available on the Calendar Page and the Lau Gar Facebook Group.