I started training in Shotokan Karate in 1986 with Sensei's Christine Pullan and Gloria Cresswell at Houghton Sports Complex. Sensei Pullan was a regular in the K.U.G.B National team and claimed the World Kata title in Calgary, Canada.

I had done 2 years Judo before this with Sensei Stan Deighton and also Iai-jutsu with Sensei Roy Price.

My first grading was on the 11th January 1987 with Sensei Frank Brennan attaining 8th Kyu. I graded to 1sr Kyu with Sensei Terry O'Neill on 6th May 1989 and was awarded Shodan by Enoeda Sensei at Barnsley  on the 22nd November 1992in both the KUGB and JKA.

I was aged 33 when I commenced training and after a while I completed in both Kata and Kumite competitions in local opens and national levels. Although a limited career in competition I did reasonably well in the ones I entered, reaching 2 semi finals in kumite , 4 Kata finals and a 2nd place in team Kata with my wife and daughter in the North East Open, I also reached the quarter finals in Kumite the year after.

I have and indeed still do train with most of the worlds renowned Karate-Ka, Sensei's Sherry, Brennan, Poynton Harford and all the K.U.G.B leading instructors, although now more the 20yrs down the road I still enjoy training and learning from those fantastic Sensei's.

 

 

I began training at Houghton Sendai under Sensei's Christine Pullan and Gloria Cresswell at the age of 33, over 20 years ago. Sensei Pullan was a member of the England squad and was also World Kata Champion. My first grading was with Sensei Frank Brennan at Houghton Sports Complex in 1987, it was his first grading as an examiner and I graded to 8th Kyu. I went on to take further gradings with Sensei's Andy Sherry, Steve Cattle, John Holdsworth and the late but great Sensei Enoeda. I have trained with many England Internationals, the likes of Sensei's Gary Hartford, George Best, Julie Nicholson and Ronnie Christopher, who has also become a good friend.

I took my Shodan on the 21st June 1992 with Sensei sherry at South Shields Dojo, this was one of the many great moments I have had throughout my time in Karate. I have had the great privilege of training with the one and only Sensei Enoeda, who has had a great influence on both my life, my Karate and hopefully the way I teach Karate. I have also trained with many sensei's from Japan, Sensei's Kase, Otha, Osaka, Kawasoe and many more, This was BRILL!!!!!!

Both my husband and I have had the privilege to help with the Karate World and European Championships that have been held in the North East over the years and we have met many karate Sensei's and their students from all over the world, not being able to speak each others language, did not deter either from sharing and understanding each other, Again this was one of the special moments throughout my life with Karate. 

 I started training in 1992 with Sensei Jeff Barwick at Sunderland Sendai Karate Club. After moving home, I wanted to continue training with the K.U.G.B and found Houghton Karate Club ran by Sensei's Ruth and Michael Dosh. With the inspiration of Sensei Barwick and Sensei's Dosh I passed my Kyu grades, then in 2001 I passed my Shodan with Sensei Sherry in Glasgow. It was about 1997 when I began to help train lower Kyu grades at Houghton and find this part of my Karate very rewarding, helping pass on my experience gained through training with some of the best Sensei's in the world, the highlights being Sensei Enoeda, Sensei Otha, Sensei Sherry, Sensei Poynton, Sensei O'Neill and Sensei Brennan. I have also participated in Houghton Shotokan Karate clubs competition as a Judge and administrator.
I train three lessons per week, with two of these lesson taken up with the training of the lower grades. Karate is very important in my life and my two sons have followed me into the sport, my eldest son Callum is a 1st Kyu and my youngest son Kurtis is a 3rd Kyu, I am extremely proud of both my boys and the commitment they show to their Karate.

Instructors and students that I have come into contact with have inspired me to develop and help all those who wish to train within the K.U.G.B and thus providing a great club, within a great organisation, with great Karateka.

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Sensei Derek Burdon
 

Junior  Instructors

Daniel Reay

Sophie Nepali

Photos to follow

 I have also trained for many years with some of Japans most famous Karate-Ka, Sensei K Enoeda being my role model until his death, an unassuming and courteous man, he is still an influence on me in the way I teach Karate and in the way I lead my life. Other Karate-Ka I have had the pleasure to train with are Sensei's Kase, Kawasoe, Ohta, Osaka, Shirai from Japan and Cattle, Holdsworth, Julie Nicholson, Christopher, Roberts, Rhodes, Higgins, Hassell, McClaren and lots more besides.

I have attended seminars on the teaching and wellbeing of children and people with special needs, indeed our club has a number of students in this catergory, in fact they are all doing very well.

Although now aged 53 my full focus is with our club and the continuing improvement of our students, along with the development of my own perception of Karate and understanding of it. I am very much a traditionalist in my way of thinking,that is the Japanese way of teaching Kihon (basics) Kata (forms) and Kumite (fighting) and not too much sports orientated as some people are. To perform good Karate you need good basics, stances, focus, blocks, and strikes, this will lead you to good Kata then onto effective Kumite. In my view you cannot learn one without the other.

I have met many wonderful people in my time in Karate which has enriched my life and will continue to until I die. I have no time for politics in Martial Arts or inflated egos, everyone is welcome to train at our club, everyone is equal, all I ask is for maximum effort and maximum enjoyment in what is a great art for young and old.

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Sensei Mike Dosh