I became transfixed with Aikido at the age of 23 and after training hard 3 times a week I rose through the grading system under the the instruction of Riley sensei 7th Dan who taught me hard and direct aikido which is a major factor for effective aikido. Also had the pleasure of training with the late great sensei Ken Cottier Shihan 7th Dan, Sensei William Smith 6th Dan MBE, Sensei Terry Ezra 6th Dan, Sensei Terry Bayliss 7th Dan. After training along side my brother Sensei Matt Nicholls and Sensei Scholefield for many years I have developed a great understanding of direct and effective aikido through the teachings of extremely experienced aikidoka.