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 & 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.
ALAN KNOWLES
Academy Coach & Lead 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.
TOM CRICKMORE
Assistant Coach
Tom has spent the past few years developing his skills in Longsword and Sabre becoming one of the UK's top competitors.
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Tom became a natural mentor to many of SHC on the competitive scene, focused on helping the team with their mentality towards fighting, providing a grounding and calming voice in your corner.
ROB KNOWLES
Assistant Coach
Rob has been training in swordplay and fencing since a young age, he moved into HEMA at the age of 15 and fell in love.
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Being part of the Knowles dynasty, Rob is a formidable fighter, medaling at his first tournament. As one of the youngest HEMA coaches in the country, Rob brings an energy to his coaching and a breadth of knowledge that is beyond his years.
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.