OUR TEAM
At Smart HEMA Clubs we pride ourselves on the quality of our coaching staff. Our coaches are professional sports coaches and have a combined professional experience of over 40 years. Many have been international coaches in their field and have had students represent their country.
STUART SMART
Owner of SHC, CEO & Head Coach
Stuart comes from a fencing background. After receiving regional medals with épée, Stuart decided to share his knowledge and become a fencing coach. He found quick success, and soon had students fighting on the England Squad. He also trained for years with re-enactors and soon found HEMA. Upon realising there were no local HEMA clubs he decided to create his own.
JOE WILD
Lead Coach
Joe's journey into sword fighting started with fencing, training in épée for a number of years. His interest in combat sports naturally found him being drawn to HEMA, with the wide variety of weapon systems to choose from it was a natural step for him. His practical adaptability and understanding of swordplay is fantastic, and his ingenuity in teaching students is that of a seasoned professional.
ALAN KNOWLES
Academy Coach
Alan is a former nationally ranked fencer and has over 30 years of coaching experience. He has taught many of our members, from beginners to competition success, including Stuart.
Alan’s knowledge base is extremely broad and his coaching ability exceptional. It’s because of his specialised coaching that he heads up our Academy, where he turns current members in to high level competitive fighters.
ADAM SMITH
Assistant Coach
Adam came to us from re-enactment, frustrated with the lack of competitive play he sought us out. He quickly progressed as a fighter. He soon found that teaching was also a passion, and his progression as a coach is proving to be even faster.
LEE ANDERSON
Assistant Coach
Lee came to SHC with an established and varied background spanning nearly two decades, including Judo, Taekwondo, Ninjutsu, re-enactment and fencing. He was looking to take his love of historical combat and place it in a more competitive setting, and found that he relished the opportunity to pass on his knowledge to others.