22nd May 2018 

Jordan Gayle is the latest former GB Taekwondo athlete to return to the National Performance Centre in a coaching role

The 26-year-old Mancunian, who fought at the 2015 World Championships and won numerous senior titles at -68kg, has been appointed Contracted Coach on the GB Taekwondo Development Programme.

Jordan follows in the footsteps of: Martin Stamper, Michael Harvey, Andy Deer and Ruebyn Richards who have been all taken up coaching appointments since retiring as top-level athletes.

“It’s really exciting being back into the mix of things with the team,” says Jordan who has been working at local level since hanging up his dobok in 2015 with Manchester Aces.

“I’ve always looked at the coaching side of the game as something I’d love to do. So, it’s amazing to have that chance,” explained the former European Youth bronze medallist.

“The future of taekwondo depends on the grassroots,” he added.

“To be given an opportunity to have an input of what that looks like is amazing.”

Gayle, heavily involved in the GB programme since its move to Manchester, believes that experience will stand him in good stead for his new career path.

“Being in the Academy myself for so long, working with some of the best coaches and support staff in the world has had a massive effect on the coach I am today,” he confirmed.