I started Shotokan Karate in 1978 before moving on to Shukokai in 1980 and finally settling with Wado Ryu in 1982.

The training regime in the 1980s, particularly, was tough with limited protection and training and sparring everyday was the norm. I passed my 1st Dan Blackbelt grading in 1990 and 5th Dan in 2015.

I have been fortunate enough to have been able to coach so many, really amazing students since the club opened in 1992 and I appreciate the efforts made by everyone who turns up week in and week out to learn.  Their commitment to improving and developing their karate skills is first class.

Karate has been an integral part of my life and I have been privileged to have trained with some really great practitioners from many different backgrounds, too numerous to mention. However, standing out as particularly influential, in addition to my own close family (all of whom have graded to a senior level), would be:

•  Ade O’Connor

• Lorraine Box

• Steve Rowe

• Chris Lewis

• Nathan Johnson

• Eddie Daniels

• Patrick McCarthy

• Dave Miles

• Markus Trott

• Master Chris White

• Master Jon Ward.