Master Scott McMillan -
6th DAN
Scott actively competed in TaeKwon-do and Kickboxing from 1991 onward, amassing regional and national titles alongside medals from Scottish, English, Welsh, and British competitions. In late 1996, he temporarily stepped away from TaeKwon-do due to family obligations, redirecting his focus to Kickboxing training until 1998. Eventually, he returned to TaeKwon-do with the UKTC, earning his 2nd Dan black belt. However, he chose to leave the organization due to differences with some of its practices.
In December 2001, Scott founded Phoenix TaeKwon-do under TAGB membership. He quickly re-entered the competitive scene, representing Scotland at the World Championships in Miami, Florida, in 2002. While he did not secure medals, the experience proved invaluable.
Although injuries kept him out of the 2005 and 2007 World Championships, Scott was elected as Scotland's national coach in 2007. Under his leadership, the Scottish Men's Team reached their first-ever finals at the World Championships, narrowly missing out to England. The team continued to excel, becoming European Champions in 2012 and coming close to World titles in 2013.
In 2015, he capped his competitive career with a World title victory in Italy, an achievement that highlighted his unwavering dedication to martial arts. In 2021, he attained his 6th Dan and TaeKwon-do master rank.
Alongside his TaeKwon-do success, he broadened his expertise by training in Hapkido, Krav Maga, and returning to his karate roots under Sensei Jamie Gray in Karate-Jutsu. This pursuit aimed to deepen his understanding of martial arts, a journey he continues today.
Master Scott Mcmillan - 6th Dan has been involved in martial arts since 1984, beginning his journey at the Musada Karate Club located in Kilmarnock's Galleon Centre. He was fortunate to train under the accomplished Sensei Pat McKay, a five-time World Karate Champion, and Tommy "Bunny" Burns, a European and Commonwealth Karate Champion, who laid the groundwork for his skills.
His TaeKwon-do career took off in January 1991, under the guidance of Sabum Pat Mallon (now deceased) and Thomas Clark, and continued until 1998. In April 1994, Scott earned his black belt and represented Scotland at the World Championships. During that same year, he established his first club at Ayr's Craigie Campus, marking the beginning of his teaching career.
Phoenix TaeKwon-Do Club
The Phoenix TaeKwon-Do Club was founded in December 2000 by Scott McMillan, then a 2nd degree instructor, who wanted to teach TaeKwon-Do to his hometown community of Kilmarnock. The club can boast hundreds of students over the years, with many students who have achieved black belt level, World, European and national championship success. The club has been successful in the community, teaching the benefits of TaeKwon-Do to the student base, helping them develop and become more confident, focused, and fitter individuals. Based in Kilmarnock, the club continues to support this community, as well as several communities in Glasgow and Renfrew.
Phoenix TaeKwon-do rose to prominence under his guidance, producing numerous champions, including World and European titleholders Allan Lusk, James Reed, and Hazel Bracken, who competed on behalf of Scotland and Great Britain. In recognition of his significant contributions to martial arts coaching, Sport Scotland/East Ayrshire Sports Council honoured him with the Development Coach of the Year award in 2012 and the Performance Coach of the Year award in 2013.
Phoenix-TaeKwon-Do has sister clubs in Renfrew, 3 Towns (Saltcoats, Ardrossan and Stevenston) and Gottingen, Germany.
