Meet the Coaches
The People Behind Hybrid
Between Carly, Darren and Andy alone, there is over 70 years of combined coaching experience behind Hybrid, before you even count the rest of the team. Every coach here has one thing in common. They would rather help you take your first step than show off how good they are.
Founders
Carly and Darren Norris
Carly and Darren founded Hybrid together in 2006, starting with a handful of sessions in health clubs and school halls. In 2010, that grew into Hybrid's own home in Plymouth. They still coach and lead the gym today, and they are usually the first people you will meet when you come in for your trial.
Head BJJ Coach
Andy Harris
Andy is a Black Belt with two British Open Champion titles, at brown belt and blue belt, 18 gold medals, five silver medals, three bronze medals and two brown belt super fight victories. He holds a sports science degree and has built a large, successful competitive BJJ team at Hybrid, while keeping every class approachable for complete beginners.
Head MMA Coach
Jordan Walters
Jordan is an active professional MMA fighter with a current record of 2 and 0 and a purple belt in BJJ. He brings current, first hand fight experience into every session, creating training that challenges established athletes while remaining supportive and accessible if you have never trained before.
MMA Coach
Ryan Taylor
Ryan Taylor supports the Hybrid fight team through strength-and-conditioning programming designed around the physical demands of combat sports.
Ryan is an experienced MMA fighter & holds a purple belt in BJJ. He also supports and corners our fighters at competitions, helping them prepare properly and ensuring that they have a knowledgeable team around them on fight day.
Ryan’s involvement means our competitive athletes receive support beyond their technical martial arts sessions, with physical preparation forming part of the wider fight-team programme.
Head Muay Thai Coach
Dave Wilkins
Dave has been immersed in Muay Thai since 1991, including a ten year fighting career with national titles and England representation. He has coached and supported fighters to national and international success, including ISKA championship level, and still teaches every level from complete beginner to competitive fighter.
Head Boxing Coach
Daniel Watkins
Daniel is an experienced boxing coach and fighter with a BSc (Hons) in Strength and Conditioning alongside his boxing coaching qualifications. Whether he is coaching someone through their very first jab or preparing a fighter for competition, his calm, professional approach creates an environment where everyone feels supported and makes steady progress.
Boxing Coach
Charlie Cawte
Charlie is an experienced active fighter and a passionate, energetic coach who brings a fresh approach to boxing at Hybrid.
Regularly competing and cornering fighters, Charlie is very much involved in the sport at every level. He brings that current fight experience directly into his coaching, combining strong technical knowledge with the practical understanding that comes from training and competing himself.
Expect Charlie’s sessions to be high-energy, technical and fun. His dynamic coaching style keeps people engaged while helping them develop their skills, confidence and understanding of boxing.
Charlie represents the new generation of coaching at Hybrid — enthusiastic, approachable and constantly developing his own knowledge and experience. Whether you’re stepping into a boxing session for the first time or looking to sharpen your skills for competition, Charlie brings an infectious energy that makes you want to train.
The Rest of the Team
Marcel Gaines lived and trained in Thailand as a sponsored, full time fighter at the internationally renowned Tiger Muay Thai, and brings hundreds of fights worth of practical experience to every Muay Thai session.
Will Edney and Yousef Touhami complete the Muay Thai coaching team, bringing decades of combined fighting and coaching experience, energy and technical detail to every class.
Tom is a 1 Stripe Brown Belt with over eight years of training experience, supporting Andy across BJJ sessions.
Lauren, known as Sigs, and Tandi are both Purple Belts who coach the Ladies Only BJJ session every Thursday at 6pm, with a focus on fun, non intimidating and informative classes.
You do not need to be ready before you get in touch
Apply for a trial and we will introduce you to the right people from your very first session.
Hybrid Combat Gym, 22 Clare Place, Coxside, Plymouth, UK
01752 265785