The club was founded just over six years ago by black belts Barry and Thomas Fotheringham after they decided to break away from their previous club following the first Covid lockdown.

originally called TUK St Lucy's, the club has since grown to 16 students in Cumbernauld.

Six members have been training with Barry since the beginning, while several are now progressing towards becoming black belts themselves.

Barry said: “We are both Taekwon-do black belts and have many years’ experience training others.

“We both love training new students and competing ourselves.”

Students range in age from seven to their mid-40s, although the club welcomes children from the age of five and has no upper age limit.

Barry says the club is not run as a business, with his focus instead on helping youngsters build confidence and discipline while learning how to protect themselves.

Club founder Barry is a four-time gold medallist and has years of experience training Taekwon-do students. (Image: Supplied)

He said: “Teaching young kids discipline and how to protect themselves is my main goal.

“The world can be a dangerous place, and I hope to help my students protect themselves and others around them.”

He stressed that the club's training focuses on self-defence rather than fighting.

Barry added: “I make a huge deal about how my class is self-defence and not an MMA-style sport.

“The first thing I say when teaching self-defence is, ‘If you can run and be safe, then run.’”

The Cumbernauld club currently boasts five TUK Scottish champions, including two in the special needs category.

Barry himself is a four-time gold medallist, while his son and student Joshua has also collected four gold medals.

His youngest son, Jacob, earned silver at last year’s British championships.

Barry estimates his students have won more than 20 gold medals at various competitions over the years.

But he believes some of the biggest benefits of Taekwon-do are seen away from competitions.

He said: “Confidence is the first thing.

"I have seen several shy and quiet kids step up and show a level of confidence in themselves that surprises parents many times.

“I take huge pride in being able to show students what they are capable of.

“With discipline and perseverance they achieve tangible goals. Goals that come with real results, be that trophies, medals or belts.”

The club takes part in two Scottish championships and a British championship each year, as well as other events across the UK and Europe.

Looking ahead, Barry hopes to grow the Cumbernauld club and help more people reach their own goals through Taekwon-do.

He added: “My plan for the future is simple. Grow the club and help anyone to achieve whatever goals they want.

“Whether that be medal success, a black belt or just wanting to get fitter.”