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Brierton Sports Centre Brierton Lane Hartlepool TS25 4BY

CLUB TIMES

MONDAY & THURSDAY 7:00pm to 9:00pm

Chief Instructor Michael Bage 4th Dan

Club Instructors

Michael Ayre 3rd Dan
Neil Davies 3rd Dan
Steve Armstrong 2nd Dan
Lynn Burton 2nd Dan
Lauren Nodding 2nd Dan
Lee Gowland 2nd Dan
Edward Glass 1st Dan

Brief History

Master Hironori Ohtsuka Meijin (10th Dan)

Wado-Ryu Karate is a Japanese Martial Art based upon a unique blend of Japanese Jujitsu, elements of Okinawan Karate and principals of older schools of swordsmanship or Kenjutsu.

Master Hironori Ohtsuka who was born 1st June 1892 in Shimohate City, Japan, founded Wado-Ryu. In 1905 Master Ohtsuka began his study of Shindo Yoshin Ryu Jujitsu under Tatsusaburo Makayama. By 1928 Master Ohtsuka was chief instructor of Shindo Yoshin Ryu. In 1922 Master Ohtsuka began his study of Karate under Master Gichin Funakoshi. By 1928 he was the assistant instructor to Funakoshi Sensei's Dojo. In 1938 Master Ohtsuka registered the name Wado-Ryu for his own style of Karate. Wado-Ryu combines the Karate techniques taught by Funakoshi with the influence of Motobu's fighting methods and Mabuni's way of performing the Kata. Wado also contains Jujitsu's locks, throws and techniques of avoidance. In 1972 Ohtsuka was awarded Meijin, the highest title possible, the first man in history to receive this honour. Master Hironori Ohtsuka died at the age of 89 on the 29th January 1982

About Us

Hartlepool Karate Club is affiliated to the E.K.W (England Karate-Do Wado-Kai) headed by Renshi Dave Swalwell 5th Dan. The club was founded in September 1966 and at that time headed by Walter Seaton 7th Dan with affiliation to the Tyne Tees School of Karate, which also included clubs from Stockton & Newcastle.

The club grew under the instruction of Kyoshi John Ditchburn 6th Dan and Dave Horsley 6th Dan.

Many students and Dan Grades have graced the club with their presence over the years gaining high honours during the process. Presently the chief instructor of the club is Michael Bage 4th Dan, one of the earlier students. Your club instructors have been associated with the club for many years, ranging from between eight and thirty five years service. The club has male and female instructors who have been police checked for working with children and are qualified first aiders.

The club focuses on traditional Wado-Ryu Karate including basic techniques, Kata (patterns), Kumite (sparing) and application of techniques in self defence including pressure point application, plus lots more.

The club is very friendly and always welcoming to new and returning practitioners of Wado.

Whether you are looking to fulfil an ambition in Martial Arts, build confidence, boost health by keeping fit, learn self control and respect for yourself and others, we can offer all the above in a controlled and safe environment.

We are a non profit making club/organisation, the money collected in training fees is to cover the rent of the room (dojo) and any monies left over are put back into the club towards training aids and for student participation in courses. Training can be undertaken in loose/comfortable clothing (tracksuit bottoms and T-shirt) or white (only) Gi, which can be purchased through the club at cost.

Gradings

Gradings will normally be held every 3-4 months depending upon the students readiness, with the student being invited to participate only if thought appropriate and with a valid EKW licence.

Discipline

The club prides itself in one of its core principals of strict discipline towards training and dojo etiquette.

Please note that should a student through their actions in or outside the dojo bring the club into disrepute then that student will be stripped of their membership.

Training Fees

FirstSession FREE Per Session £3.00 Joining Fee £5.00 Grade £5.00 (plus session fee) Licence £10.00 juniors (under 16) £15.00 seniors (16 and over)

Forthcoming Events

EKW 3rd Kyu & Above Bunkai Course, Saturday 13th Feb (12:00 to 3:00) & Sunday 14th Feb (10:00 to 1:00) 2010. Northfields Sportsdrone, Thames Road, Billingham TS22 5EG. £6 per day seniors and £4 juniors.

Iain Abernethy - 27th February 2010. This is the latest open seminar organised by Taisho-Do Karate and will take place from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. Venue - Harewood Space Sports & Arts, Robert Atkinson Centre, Thorntree Road, Thornaby TS17 8AP. The Cost of the seminar is £20 (full amount or a £10 deposit secures your place). Cheques should be made payable to "Taisho-Do Karate" and sent to Mark Raistrick, 7 Clarendon Road, Thornaby TS17 8JQ. Mark can also be contacted on 07508 015614 or taishodo@aol.com for further details.

EKW Dan Gradings, Sunday 14th March 2010. Northfields Sportsdrone, Thames Road, Billingham TS22 5EG 10:00am to 2:00pm. £5 Training fee. (3rd Kyu & above), email/contact for further details.

Isle Of Wight Walking Festival, 9th to 14th May 2010, email/contact for further details

EKW A.G.M & Training, Sunday 18th April. Venue (Cumbria) & time to be confirmed (all grades), email/contact for further details.

EKW Instructors Development Seminar, Murcia (Spain) 23rd - 26th April 2010 (3rd Dan & above), email/contact Renshi Dave Swalwell for further details.

Lyke Wake Walk - 42 miles North Yorkshire Moors, Osmotherley to Ravenscar 5th June 2010, email/contact for further details.

Coast To Coast bike ride. Approx 150 miles July 3rd, 4th & 5th, email/contact for further details.

EKW Summer Course, Scarborough 25th - 30th July 2010 (all grades). Scarborough Sports Centre, Filey Road, Scarborough. Sunday 10:00am to 12:00pm. Monday to Friday 8:00am to 2:00pm. £60 seniors (£50 with early booking discount) and £50 juniors (£40 with early booking discount),email/contact for further details.

EKW Winter Course, November 2010. Details to follow.