Impressed by his daughter’s martial arts efforts, MAN v FAT Gloucester coach Ryan Barkle received into motion himself by showing in a nationwide Taekwondo Championships at the beginning of November.

Having seen his daughter take up the game in September 2021, Ryan determined that it was time to drop a few pounds.

And his efforts on the scales and on the pitch noticed him shift over 5 stone as a MAN v FAT Gloucester participant, earlier than graduating to guide the membership, held at Plock Court docket on a Thursday evening.

Ryan instructed us: “By the assist, pleasant rivalry and setting created on the membership, I misplaced 5 stone earlier than changing into the membership’s Coach.

“It has offered me with a number of alternatives from enjoying at Sixfields for George Elokobi in opposition to Ian Holloway’s staff to getting again to working.

“Nevertheless 2024 has been a bit tougher to maintain the burden off as a result of ‘weak hips’ that means soccer and working had develop into painful.

“This led me to attempt one thing new. I joined my daughter Abi at Sumners Taekwondo, as I might see the quantity of flexibility and hips work that goes into it.

“Earlier than MAN v FAT, I might not have had the arrogance to attend and I might not have returned after the primary session as a result of feeling too unfit, too judged or too embarrassed (there isn’t any cause to really feel this, I’ve discovered!).

“Nevertheless my MAN v FAT journey has led me to attempt one thing fully totally different. Who would have thought you’ll begin sparring on the age of 42?”