Instructors - Universal Taekwon-Do

Master Gerard Kelly 7th Degree

Master Kelly has been training in martial arts for most of his life. In addition to his 7th Dan in Taekwon-Do, Master Kelly also holds a 4th degree black belt in Haidong Gumdo, a Korean Sword style. An inductee to the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame in 2023, Master Kelly is passionate about the martial arts and providing an encouraging, supportive environment for his students.

GrandMaster Vic Leighton 9th Degree

Grandmaster Leighton started TKD on October 3rd 1973 at the age of 28. He achieved 1st Dan in 1978 under Master Rhee Ki Ha. GM Leighton started a club in January 1980 which ran until June 2003 after which 5 went on to open clubs of their own. One of these his now a Master himself (Peter Whitehead). He went to teach Black Belts until he achieved my 7th Dan in October 2008. weeks later GM Leighton left the UK to start a new life in Australia and continued in TKD being granted my 9th Dan on August, my last 8 years have been very enjoyable training with now Master Gerard Kelly.

Charlie Van Beelen 4th Degree

Mr Van Beelen has been training in Taekwon-Do alongside Mr Kelly for over 15 years now and is the Co-Founder of Universal Taekwon-Do. He is an extremely knowledgeable practitioner, especially in the art of power breaking. Mr Van Beelan has won at nearly every level in this discipline, including world championships.

Don Donaldson 3rd Degree

As a kid Mr. Donaldson always was interested in doing a martial art but never had the opportunity. Wasn’t until not long after he and his family moved to Australia his martial art journey started. In 2014 Mr Donaldson enrolled his two kids into taekwondo. After watching for a few months he ended up joining at the ripe age of 37. Needless to say after his first lesson he was hooked. Mr. Donaldson always dreamed of earning a black belt and thought it was too late in life. But in 2017 Mr. Donaldson earned his black belt. Little did he know that this is where things really began. 2019 Mr. Donaldson was granted his 2nd dan, 2021 was granted his 3rd dan. In March 2023 he started teaching his own students. TKD has given him so much over the years and came at a time in his life where he really needed something. Mr Donaldson has made lifetime friends with all the people he has met/ trained with. Now Mr Donaldson is at the next chapter in his journey, and we here at Universal Taekwo-Do are honoured to have him head up our Gold Coast branch!

Adele Barnes-Cook 2nd Degree

Mrs Barnes Cook has been such a strong presence in our club. Having trained under the same Master as Mr Kelly and Mr Van Beelen, she has fit right into Universal Taekwon-Do and its’ philosophy. Mrs Barnes-Cook is a patient instructor, and the kids respond very positively to her.

Hayley Kelly 2nd Degree

Mrs Kelly started training with Mr Kelly around 12 years ago, and was due to grade for her black belt around 2 years after that. The arrival of our 2 children put her grading on the back burner for a while, with our beautiful children the first priority. Mrs Kelly returned to training when the kids were old enough to begin school and obtained her 1st Degree in 2018. She has been a pivotal instructor at several of our classes that she assists in, and has a genuine rapport with the other students.

meet our fantastic team