Coaches

Awaiting Info

Claire started training in Muay Thai at the age of 23 with Lee Hasdell in Milton Keynes, by the age of 26 she had started competing and fell in love with the art.

Claire was ranked no. 1 in the UK for a couple of years and was undefeated as British and International Champion.

Gaining 3rd Dan status she has been teaching for over 15 years and has travelled and trained in Thailand to add to her knowledge of the sport.

Since moving to Northampton she is the head female coach at BST teaching all levels from beinners to getting fighters ready to compete.

Claire also is a qualified PT with an NVQ & Diploma.

Disciplines:
Muay Thai

Danny Batten
Danny was British 2001 Super Fight Sport Ju Jitsu Champion and Grand Prix winner beating the already 7 times World Sport Ju Jitsu Champion Trever Birmingham and has a series of accolades to his name including fighting as the main event against UFC fighter Demacio Page and winning by arm bar in 37 seconds in Las Vegas, fighting top of the bill against Pancrase champion Meada in Japan, World Cage Warriors Feather Weight champion for 7 years defeating the likes of BJJ specialist Emmanual Fernandez, and another BJJ specialist who previously beat another Cage Warriors champion Paul Macvaugh, taking a decision win over a world class striker Tom Ninimaki.

Disciplines:
No-gi Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Awaiting Info

David Thatcher, a highly respected instructor with over 42 years of

experience in traditional Japanese martial arts. A former national and European champion, David brings not only skill and knowledge but also a passion for sharing the spirit of the samurai. Whether you’re new to martial arts or already experienced, our dojo offers a welcoming place to learn, train, and grow.

David has dedicated more than four decades to studying and teaching Japanese swordsmanship. His martial arts journey has taken him from the UK to Japan, where he trained and graded under some of the most respected masters. This depth of experience shapes every class he teaches, ensuring students receive both authentic tradition and practical guidance.

Accomplishments and Championships

David’s achievements are recognised throughout the UK and Europe. Highlights of

his career include:

Former British Iaido Champion (British Kendo Federation)

Former European Iaido Champion (European Kendo Federation)

British Iaido Team Member – European Championship Team Winners

Bowden Kendo Cup Winner (British Kendo Association)

Kendo-No-Kata Champion (British Kendo Association)

6th Dan Shihan

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Hayley Valentine
I’m a Professional female MMA international fighter.
BST’s first female Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt.
One of Bst’s female accomplished grapplers:
2x NAGA Expert champion
Quatro linhas Female Absolute champion
Gold Medalist in English, British and Welsh Championships
Europeans bronze medalist at Brown belt

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Maxim Botnari
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Ranjit is the BST Northampton Head Wrestling Coach and British Wrestling Midlands Regional Coach.

Named 2025 Coach of the Year, he brings elite-level experience from both sides of the mat, having represented England as an athlete and earned titles as a British and Midland Champion.

With a proven competitive background and regional coaching expertise, Ranjit is committed to developing wrestlers of all levels through technical skill, discipline, and a champion’s mindset.

Raymond Paul
Ray started training at 4 years old in taekwondo and later went to to start Muay Thai at 15 and competed a few times at amateur level then he starting grappling at 17 trying to blend the styles together, adding wrestling, boxing and judo then in 2010 he met former Cage Warriors champion Danny Batten.
Danny helped Ray blend all his skills together competing in MMA and becoming undefeated in 7 fights!
Ray stopped competing in 2013 and concentrated on working with Danny batten to coach at BST academy.
Ray still trains everyday often travels around the world training at some of the highest level camps to try and gain new knowledge and methods of training to help improve the BST fight team.

Instagram @‌rvpmma121

Disciplines:
NoGi, Wrestling, Weight Loss Programmes, Self Defence, MMA, Gym Instructor

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Stefan Carter
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Classes taught by Stephen Dron draw on over 30 years of training to deliver adaptable, relatable martial arts instruction. His approach blends modern applicability with rich classical context, creating a training environment that is both relevant and rooted in tradition.

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