Sifu Steve Woodward – From Personal Challenge to Master Instructor

A Personal Journey That Many Can Relate To

Like many people who discover martial arts, Sifu Steve Woodward’s journey began not with childhood dreams of kung fu mastery, but with a very real need to overcome personal challenges. After experiencing bullying at school that left lasting psychological scars, Steve turned to bodybuilding to rebuild his confidence and find his inner strength.

While bodybuilding helped him come out of his shell, a physical attack made it clear that true confidence required practical self-defence skills. In 1982, a visit to his local sports centre led to a life-changing discovery – a new Wing Chun class had just started, and Steve decided to see what this relatively unknown martial art was all about.

Discovering Natural Talent and Passion

The Efficiency That Changes Everything

From his very first trial session, Steve was captivated by Wing Chun’s elegant efficiency. Unlike other martial arts that might take years to become practical, Wing Chun’s direct, scientific approach meant he could quickly develop real defensive capabilities. The simplicity wasn’t weakness – it was genius.

Recognition of Exceptional Ability

Steve’s natural aptitude for Wing Chun became evident early in his training. After several years of regular classes, his instructors recognised his exceptional understanding and invited him for private training to develop his teaching abilities. Within a few years, he was leading his own classes, sharing Wing Chun with other students who, like him, sought practical self-defence and personal development.

The Pursuit of Excellence Never Stops

Honest Self-Assessment

After years of dedicated training and teaching, Steve reached a pivotal moment that defines truly great martial artists – he realised the limits of his current knowledge and had the humility to seek better instruction. Rather than settling for what he knew, he questioned his abilities and recognised there was much more to discover about Wing Chun.

The Search for Authentic Knowledge

With an open mind and unwavering dedication to Wing Chun, Steve travelled throughout the UK, exploring different lineages and approaches. This wasn’t martial arts tourism – it was a serious quest for deeper understanding and more effective teaching methods.

The Life-Changing Connection

Destiny at a Birmingham Seminar

In March 1993, a chance encounter at an Escrima seminar in Birmingham changed everything. Steve learned that Grandmaster Ip Chun – son of the legendary Ip Man and Bruce Lee’s elder kung fu brother – was visiting Birmingham to teach alongside his senior Western student, Sifu Shaun Rawcliffe.

Meeting the Source

This seminar with Grandmaster Ip Chun confirmed what Steve suspected – there were depths to Wing Chun he had yet to explore. The experience was so transformative that he and his training partner, David Akroyd-Jones, immediately approached Sifu Rawcliffe to become students of the Midlands Wing Chun Kuen.

Mastery Through Intensive Training

18 Months That Changed Everything

The intensive private and class training that followed was unlike anything Steve had experienced. Within 18 months, both he and David were invited to become instructors for the Midlands Wing Chun Kuen, bringing their Cheltenham classes under the guidance of Sifu Rawcliffe’s respected organisation.

Direct Connection to the Source

Through this association, Steve gained unprecedented access to authentic Ip Man Wing Chun through Grandmaster Ip Chun himself. Multiple seminars and training opportunities in both the UK and Hong Kong provided insights that few Western practitioners ever receive.

A Philosophy of Lifelong Learning

“Training with Sifu Shaun Rawcliffe and the Midlands Wing Chun Kuen transformed my life. Wing Chun isn’t just a martial art—it’s a legacy meant to be shared. What I’ve gained, I’m committed to passing on. This practice doesn’t just add years to my life; it adds life to my years.” – Sifu Steve Woodward

Why Train with Sifu Steve?

Personal Understanding: Having overcome bullying and personal challenges through martial arts, Steve understands exactly why people seek Wing Chun training and how to help them achieve their goals.

Proven Teaching Ability: Recognised early as having exceptional aptitude, then formally trained as an instructor by some of the UK’s most respected Wing Chun masters.

Authentic Lineage: Direct training under Grandmaster Ip Chun ensures you’re learning genuine Ip Man Wing Chun, not watered-down interpretations.

Continuous Development: Over 40 years of training and nearly 30 years of teaching, with ongoing commitment to improvement and learning.

Holistic Approach: Understands that Wing Chun offers far more than self-defence – it’s a path to personal development, confidence, and lifelong wellbeing.

Humble Mastery: The wisdom to know that learning never ends, combined with the experience to guide students at every level.

Evolution: The Wing Chun Collective Partnership

Independence and Innovation

After decades of training within formal lineage structures, Steve and his longtime training partner Sifu David Akroyd-Jones made a significant decision – to become independent instructors operating as The Wing Chun Collective. This wasn’t a rejection of their traditional training, but rather a natural evolution that allows them to serve their students’ needs without the constraints of organisational politics.

The Power of Partnership

Together, Steve and David bring over 80 years of combined Wing Chun experience to their teaching. Their partnership, forged through decades of training together, creates a uniquely comprehensive learning environment where students benefit from:

• Complementary Expertise: Steve’s intuitive understanding of Wing Chun principles, combined with David’s scientific approach to movement and body mechanics
• Flexible Teaching: Freedom to adapt training methods to individual student needs rather than rigid organisational requirements
• Global Perspective: Ability to explore and integrate the best Wing Chun innovations from around the world
• Pure Focus: Complete dedication to authentic Wing Chun development without external pressures or politics

Traditional Values, Modern Approach

While The Wing Chun Collective doesn’t align with any particular lineage, Steve and Dave maintain the highest standards of traditional Wing Chun instruction. Their independence allows them to honour all their influences – from their early training through to their extensive work with Grandmaster Ip Chun – while continuously evolving to serve their students better.

Experience the Difference

When you train with Sifu Steve, you’re learning from someone who has walked the same path many students face – from vulnerability to confidence, from beginner to master, from student to teacher. His journey proves that Wing Chun truly can transform lives, and his teaching reflects four decades of understanding how to make that transformation happen for others.

Ready to begin your own transformative journey? Contact Sifu Steve today.