Profile

Starting from a small group based in Leicester, the Association has slowly grown into an International organisation.

Firstly through clubs being formed in the midland area and later spreading throughout the UK. We were able to establish the British Taijiquan and Shaolin Wushu Association who have been at the forefront of the development of Chinese Martial Arts for many Years.

In recent years with branches being established in several different countries and second and third generation students moving abroad it was decided in 1997 to establish an umbrella organisation called the International Taijiquan and Shaolin Wushu Association to act as a focal point for all groups.

Our Association has developed many fine students and instructors and has provided competitors for World Championships in China, Europe and are British titleholders.

We have also aided the development of Chinese martial arts overseas by providing instruction for visiting instructors from, Spain, Germany, Netherlands, France, Italy, South Africa, Ireland and Jersey.

Sifu Derek Frearson with Shi Su Yur (30th generation) Shaolin Monk at the unveiling of the British Taijiquan & Shaolin Wushu Associations official stone at the Shaolin Wushu Training Institute, Deng Feng in 1991

The Beginning

The Beginning of the I.T.S.W.A. started back in the 60's when Sifu Derek Frearson trained with several friends around the Leicestershire area, where he studied various methods based on Chinese Kung Fu, whilst training with his friends Sifu Frearson joined a local Chinese Martial Arts Club in Leicester. In 1970 Sifu Frearson became the Instructor for this club due to the main Instructor retiring. During this time Sifu Frearson had the opportunity to train with various Instructors learning different styles of Chinese Martial Arts.

In the mid 70's Sifu Frearson joined a club in Manchester run by Danny Connor, who had just returned to the UK after studying in Singapore and Taiwan. After several years the Manchester based club, became a national organisation, the British Kung Fu Union. Sifu Frearson became the Midland Area Representative for the B.K.F.U. and during this time he had the opportunity to study such diverse arts as Tai Chi, Wing Chun, Seven Star Mantis, Pa Qua, and Shing I. Through the B.K.F.U. Sifu Frearson trained briefly with Rose Lee, (Pa Qua) Joseph Cheng & Alan Lamb (Wing Chun (Hong Kong Version). The B.K.F.U. disbanded in the late 70's due to other business commitments by Danny Connor.

In 1976 to 79 Sifu Frearson became a member and Midlands Area Representative for the Philippine Martial Arts Society, studying Escrima. Sifu Frearson travelled extensively around the UK training with various Chinese and English teachers, perhaps it was the sign of the times as soon as these clubs opened they would close again, for this reason Sifu Frearson looked for more professional teachers outside of the UK.

America then China

In 1979 Sifu Frearson went to America and made contact with Master Bow Sim Mark at her school of Chinese Martial arts in Boston, also He met Sifu Yao Li who was also based in Boston, there Sifu Frearson learned Tai Chi, Shaolin, Wushu and Wah Lum Praying Mantis. Up until 1984 Sifu Frearson made numerous trips to Boston to further his studies with Sifu Mark and Li.

1984 Master Bow Sim Mark came to England as the Association's guest, also later that year Master Chan Poi (Sifu Yao Li's Instructor) came to England for Seminars.

It was a busy year for Sifu Frearson due to the fact that he made his first trip to China with Master Bow Sim Mark and her students, to the Wuhan International Taijiquan Exchange & Demonstration Meeting, while there not only did he have the opportunity to view the different masters practising their Tai Chi, but also had the chance to attend workshops and seminars in Tai Chi. Sifu Frearson also visited and trained at the Bejing Institute of physical Education he also went to Guangzhaou and trained with the Wushu department also visited Grand Master Fu Wing Fay.

By this time Sifu Frearson's club had grown into a national Organisation with clubs throughout the UK, and in 1982 Sifu Frearson's Association joined the British Council for Chinese Martial Arts, in 1985 Sifu Frearson Established the Academy of Chinese Martial Arts in Leicester, and over the subsequent years hosted seminars for various Masters from Hong Kong, China, America and Singapore.

In 1988 Sifu Frearson was elected onto the Executive Committee for the B.C.C.M.A. and since that time has held various and still holds positions on the B.C.C.M.A. Committee, including Vice Chairman and Technical Committee Member.

Since that first to China in 1984 Sifu Frearson has made trips to China every year, training in Hong Kong, Foshan, Deng Feng, for Seven Star Praying Mantis, Shaolin Boxing, Wing Chun, Wushu and Eagle Claw. In some cases twice a year, taking students with him from all over the Country, Europe and the Continent, two of these visits were in 1989 when he went to Deng Feng to study Shaolin Kung Fu. On one of those visits Sifu Frearson was the especially invited guest, at the grand opening of the Shaolin Wushu training Centre. In 1992 Sifu Frearson was given Lifetime Membership of the Shaolin Boxers Association of Deng Feng. We also in conjunction with our South African Branch have a Tablet erected at the Shaolin Temple in Deng Feng.

In 1993 Sifu Frearson was made the UK Representative for Master Lee Kam Wing's Seven Star Praying Mantis Association, also this year he was made Honorary Chairman of the Foshan Wing Chun Association China.

The I.T.S.W.A. is now an International Organisation teaching Foshan Wing Chun, Seven Star Praying Mantis, Taijiquan, and Lion Dancing, we also sell Equipment, Video's, and Herbal Medicines. For all enquiries please go to Directory of Clubs.