Meet the Directors and Senior Instructors of Our Martial Arts School:

Gary and Janene Ireland

Gary and Janene Ireland brought Martial Arts to Universal Athletic Club in 2003 as
the founders of America’s Best Karate East Coast. They each have their own unique
background in Martial Arts.

GARY IRELAND
Gary Ireland started his Tae Kwon Do training in the summer of 1993 in Los Gatos,
California. He began teaching as a Poom Dan and after passing many levels earned his
First Dan Black Belt in 1996. He became a full time Tae Kwo Do instructor in 1997.

Gary trained in many types of martial arts throughout the years including Take Kwon Do, Hapkido and Eskrima under high-ranking masters. He also studied the classicShaolin system coupled with Tae Chi Chuan. He earned rankings in both systems.

Fast forward to many studies and belt rankings later, Gary was inducted into The USA
Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Tae Kwon Do Instructor of the Year in 2004.

JANENE IRELAND
Janene began training in 1999 at America’s Best Karate in Los Gatos, CA, where she
and Gary met. Janene’s journey in martial arts began in an effort to learn self defense
as a domestic violence survivor.

She enrolled only her son Peter initially, until he tricked her into starting classes by asking her to come with him to speak to the master instructor in Los Gatos, where he then said, “My mom wants to start martial arts, but is too scared.” Fifteen minutes later, Janene found herself in uniform and in her first class!

Janene eventually tested to first degree in 2003, and to second degree in 2007. She received additional training in yoga, Tae Chi and Chi Gung. She holds certification as a Kid’s Safety and Women’s Self Defense specialist, as well as Forza, a Samurai sword cardio conditioning program.

Janene was inducted to the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Female Martial Artist of the year in 2004.

“My martial arts studies continues to motivate me to help others discover the strength and courage that lies within themselves and to live up to their fullest potential,” Janene said.

Gary and Janene eventually found their way to Pennsylvania and now reside in Manheim. After founding America’s Best Karate East Coast and bringing the system to Universal, they merged their superior program into Universal’s full-service fitness club to create one great program that we now call Universal Martial Arts.

Janene and Gary are the proud parents of four kids. Peter is a freshman at Monmouth University. Alexis is a junior at Franklin and Marshall College. Chloe is a Junior at Manheim Central High School. Brandon is age 7 and a second grader at Burgard Elementary School.

Peter, Alexis and Chloe all hold first degree black belts and assist in teaching martial arts classes at Universal when they are not busy with their academic studies.

Some things you might be surprised to know about The Ireland Family...

Both Mrs. I and Chloe are vegans.

They love the Oakland Raiders.

They have 1 hamster named Rhino, 2 fat and very spoiled cats named Snickers and Ashley, and one very lovable dog, Bubbles, who they got from Mrs. Jodi Kray.

Mr. I is one of 7 children!

Chloe collects pig figurines!

Brandon loves Transformers!

Mrs. I was a synchronized swimmer and Mr. I used to sing in a rock band!