MEET THE
TEAM
Below you will see all of the Stronger Team. Get familiar!
Meet the Family
We are more than just a team, we’re a family. Meet the people who make our gym special and can help you achieve your dreams.
Rico Romero
Founder and Coach
Rico, our Founder, Director and MMA coach. Rico has been practicing martial arts for over 25 years and is the brains behind Stronger having first established Stronger MMA as a community club in 2005 before re-launching the gym in its present format in 2015.
Tom Goulder
Gym Manager
Tom is the Gym Manager overseeing the day to day activities of the gym. Having experience in running small enterprises Tom joined the team in 2017. For any general or commercial enquiries Tom is happy to help.
Claudiu Crisu
Wrestling for MMA
Claudiu, AKA Panda, is our Wrestling for MMA coach for adults and children. A bronze medallist at the National Wrestling Senior Open, Claudiu is also a Personal Training level 2 coach.
Alex Montagnani
Mixed Martial Arts
Alex is a Pro MMA fighter and leads our Stronger MMA team. Fighting on some of the most renowned martial art shows in Europe such as BAMMA and Cage Warriors, Alex also won the Fury welterweight title and is currently signed with Contenders MMA.
Devon Ffrench
Kung Fu
Devon is our Head Kung Fu coach with over 40 years experience in Phor Kune Kung Fu Style. Deadly standing up, Devon is also pretty good on the ground.
Marcos Macedo
Brazillian Jiu Jitsu
Marcos is our Kids BJJ coach and assistant BJJ instructor. A brown belt, Marcos completed a treble in 2020 with Gold in the Abu Dhabi Glam Slam, Grappling Industries and IBJJF Nationals.
Oli Geddes
Brazillian Jiu Jitsu
Oli is our head Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor at Stronger. A 3rd degree black belt under Roger Gracie, Oli is an accomplished international competitor having competed at the IBJJF Worlds, IBJJF Euros and Polaris. You’ll need to check out his half-guard mastery.
Nadine Laarman
BJJ Ladies Ambassador
Oli is our head Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor at Stronger. A 3rd degree black belt under Roger Gracie, Oli is an accomplished international competitor having competed at the IBJJF Worlds, IBJJF Euros and Polaris. You’ll need to check out his half-guard mastery.
Roxi Kevill
Flexibility Coach
Roxi is a professional dancer, aerialist and personal trainer. Having trained in martial arts Roxi believes that greater flexibility can be achieved through undertanding body movements and stretching.
Adele DuCasse
Osteopath and Sports Massage Therapist
Adele is an Osteopath and Sports Massage therapist who assist our athletes with recovery from muscle and joint paint.
Byrone Lehmann
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Assistant Coach
Byrone, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brown belt and one of founding members of the gym. When not skateboarding or submitting people Byrone can be found teaching our adult and kids classes.
