Paul Simmons, Director EKNGB

MSc, BSc (Hons), ACSM (cert), CSCS, MAAF

Head of Association and founder of Frontier Karate Association

7th Dan Black Belt, Martial Arts Coach & Former England Representative

Certified Exercise Physiologist and S&C Coach American College of Sports Medicine and the NCSA, USA.

With over 40 years of martial arts experience, this accomplished martial artist began training in 1985 with the British Judo Association and later achieved national success as a County Judo Silver medallist and Mick Leigh 9th Dan Summer Course Winner. A significant career highlight was demonstrating for Professor Tatsuo Suzuki, 8th Dan Hanshi, at his 75th birthday in Tokyo, Japan (2003).

As a karateka, he represented England and Great Britain 27 times between 1992–1999 at U18, U21, and Senior levels, becoming a WKF English, British, and UK Grand Slam Champion. His international debut for the senior England team came at just 17, with his first WKF World Cup at 18 in 1995. He earned numerous national and international medals throughout his competitive career.

Since 2001, he has served as National Coach for KMAC, Kaizen Karate Association, and Frontier Karate Association, producing WKF European and World U21 medallists. As Regional and Head Coach in the 2000s and 2010s, he led his region to five consecutive National Inter-Regional titles and international podium finishes, including at the Venice Cup.

He contributed to the national setup, assisting the England Squad in 2012–2013 and coaching a WKF Premier League medallist in Germany. He served as Performance Director and Board Member of the English Karate Federation in 2016–2017.

Academically, he has presented research on WKF Kumite and Full Contact Karate at BASES and international conferences. He was also a columnist for Traditional Karate and Fighters Magazine in the 2000s.

As the founder of Frontier School of Karate and Kickboxing (FSK) since 1994, he has developed many black belts and champions across multiple rule sets and federations including WKF, ISKA, WAKO, and ICO. In 2023, he received a UK Karate Achievement Award, presented by Sensei Ticky Donovan 10th Dan.

He credits all success to teamwork and collaboration with outstanding instructors, coaches, and athletes throughout his career.