INSTRUCTORS
SCOTT OATES
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt
Scott is an experienced former Navy SEAL, 18 Delta Combat Medic and Nationally certified Paramedic (NREMTP). Scott has been an avid martial artist for over 35 years with a vast knowledge in a wide variety of martial arts, to include BJJ, Judo, wrestling, FMA and JKD. Scott has 15+ years of combative and hand to hand teaching experience. He is extremely proficient with both edged weapon and close-range handgun defense focusing on retention, shooting from retention and disarming techniques, as well as, Concealed Carry courses of instruction. Scott has taught in depth combative courses of instruction to civilians, Federal and State Law Enforcement, all branches of the Military and multiple foreign military groups to include Canadian Special Forces, as well as being a long standing combatives instructor for a
small nimble segment of the intelligence community.
Scott is a 3 rd degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under 6X World Champion Saulo Ribeiro, and a Black Belt in Judo. He has competed at every level of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition, both Nationally and Internationally, to include placing 3rd in the IBJJF World Championships as a Black Belt.
Scott is also a certified instructor for ShivWorks, a training and products organization that has been conducting training in the private sector in the U.S. and abroad for the past 18 years teaching open and closed coursework in 42 states and 11 countries outside of CONUS.
Scott also has vast experience as an Executive Protection (EP) SME for mobile security close protection details and counter assault support. He is also an experienced Surveillance Intelligence specialist and consultant, providing high-end support and consultation, i.e. Surveillance, counter surveillance and SDR (Surveillance Detection Routes) to many governmental agencies and the intelligence community, to include DOD, JSOC and USSOCOM.
BECKY ROSS
General Manager | Women's Instructor
GIAN GACES
Youth Coach
Gian has been training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for over 4 years. He originally began his Jiu-Jitsu journey in Las Vegas and moved to Virginia Beach after joining the Navy. He found a home within Virginia Beach Jiu-Jitsu and has become a passionate competitor, competing in several local and national tournaments. He began helping with the kids' classes over a year ago and enjoys teaching and growing the kids' program.
DAVID BICKFORD
Youth Coach
David is a wrestler turned Jiu Jitsu coach. He has competed in many local and regional tournaments at both blue and white belt level. In Highschool he wrestle for Steve Castle at Episcopal HS, where he held the record for the quickest pin in just under 9 seconds. David went on to place 3rd in the state of Virginia, at the 119 LBS weight class. David is senior Vice President of Divaris Real Estate, where he negotiates industrial high bay leases and sales. His coaching philosophy is largely focused on drills over stagnant move lessons. The more reps, the better the muscle memory. When he’s not on the mats you can find him surfing at 1st street or spending time with his family. His son Dylan is a fierce BJJ competitor and attends most local and regional tournaments.
TODD MCGOVERN
Youth Coach
Coach Todd Mcgovern Brown Belt VBJJ
• Wrestling and boxing background
• Started Jiu-Jitsu 2002
• Coached various fighters in Mixed Martial Arts from 2007 to 2015; both amateur and professional
• Professional Referee in MMA, Muay Thai, and Boxing from 2008-2016
ANN MARIE MCGUNNIGLE
Little Samurai Instructor / Coach
Ann Marie joined VBJJ in February 2015. She quickly fell in love with the gym, the atmosphere, the instructors and her teammates. Ann Marie has been involved in youth sports and youth groups, from softball, to Boy/Girl Scouts her entire adult life. Her commitment and draw to youth activities is natural and when the opportunity to help assist in 2019 presented itself, she happily accepted it. She became Lead Instructor of the Little Samurai classes (ages 4 – 7) in 2020 and has helped to grow this amazing team of Little Ninjas. Ann Marie’s approach to coaching is to provide a safe, disciplined and FUN mat space for her “Littles” along with laying the foundation for lifelong skills such as teamwork, discipline, self-control, self-esteem and confidence. Ann Marie teaches the very basics/beginnings of Jiu Jitsu, her primary goals are to keep them engaged and encouraged. Ann Marie believes their Jiu Jitsu journey will last their lifetime, so keeping it interesting & fun is also her goal. Ann Marie is the Director of Contracts at International Flooring & Protective Coatings, Inc., where she oversees Project Management & Estimating of decking on Navy Vessels and Commercial projects. Some of Ann Marie’s other interests are reading, camping, and spending time with her family.
SCOTT HORNE
Adult Instructor
Scott Horne was awarded his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt by Professor Scott Oates on January 27th 2018. He started with training at Hybrid Training Center in 2007 due to an interest in MMA. He competed in local tournaments at all belt levels from 2008 to 2020. He was the primary children’s Jiu-Jitsu coach at Hybrid Training Center under Professor Oates. After Hybrid Training Center closed its doors, he changed schools with Professor Oates to Virginia Beach Jiu-Jitsu. On a personal note, Scott is a Navy submarine veteran, a father of an adult son who also trains, and has a many hobbies outside of Jiu-Jitsu. His current Jiu-Jitsu goals are to coach and help others improve their Jiu-Jitsu.