It is with deep regret that we have to inform all past members of both Sowerby Bridge and Mytholroyd Karate clubs of the recent passing of Sensei Mike Toze of Rochdale.

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Sensei Toze had taught at both clubs on a monthly basis for over 40 years and his wisdom and training helped many students achieve their grades.

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We are sure that we all have our own stories to tell about his training.

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He will be sadly missed.

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Our condolences and deepest sympathy goes out to his family.

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Our club grading was held at the Shotokan Karate Academy and was run by the club Chief instructor and senior KUGB instructor, Garry Harford (8th Dan).

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Prior to the grading there was a black and brown belt course followed by a Kyu grading.

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We had one students grading this time.  Abbigail Fisher did a very strong grading to get her 6th Kyu (green belt).

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 Well done!!!!!

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On Saturday 18th May Peter Ingham, Scott Watson and Jack Law attended the Kata Standardisation course for Black Belts.  This course is pivotal to ensure that Kata is well understood across all those who are instructors and means there is a consistency in teaching.  We were given detailed Walkthrough of Heian Godan, Enpi, Nijushiho and Tekki Nidan by our Chief Instructor of the KUGB (Karate Union of Great Britain) - Sensei Andy Sherry.

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On Sunday Scott Watson, Jack Law and Angus Norcliffe went to the Leeds Shotokan Dojo for an all grades course run by Sensei Jimmy Brennan where we explored how to use the body correctly with good timing to create power.  We also went through both Kumite and Kata for a great all round lesson.  

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Well done to all those who attended on the weekend - a long weekend of Karate but thoroughly enjoyable.

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Today there was a Black and Brown Belt course in Chesterfield run by Sensei Andy Sherry (9th Dan KUGB) and Sensei Frank Brennan (8th Dan KUGB).  They ran a brown belt course where detailed aspects of Kihon, Kata and Kumite were explained, followed by a Black belt course where the finer details of Kihon, Kat and Kumite were explained.  Both these sessions were also to prepare some students who were to take their Shodan and Nidan gradings.

 

Jack Law has trained hard over many years and was out in for his Shodan grading by his club instructors.  He performed with speed, power and true grit & determination in front of two of our most senior KUGB (Karate Union of Great Britain)instructors and examiners - Sensei Andy Sherry and Sensei Frank Brennan. All his hard work and effort paid off though as he was awarded his very well deserved Shodan. Jack represented the club fantastically and made both instructors very proud. Now the real hard work begins!!!!

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Well done Jack.

On the 1st December 2018 the Sowerby Bridge Shotokan Karate club travelled to Shinko Karate in York for a training course and grading with Sensei Garry Harford.  Sensei Harford delivered a detailed instruction of Karate - Kihon, Kata and Kumite, in his usual passionate way.  The season for brown and black belts was attended by our clubs senior grades who all really enjoyed the session.

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Our new member Abbigail Fisher was the only member grading this time and stormed through her first grading.  Sensei Harford commented on her excellent attitude, especially in Kumite and was very pleased with a very strong grading.

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Well done Abbi, you did very well and represented the club and yourself brilliantly.

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The club attended the Shotokan Cup in Chesterfield.  This is a National competition run by the Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB) for Black and Brown belts only.  The standard was very high and the competition culminated in some very close finals.

Both Angus and Jack competed well in kumite both coming up against seasoned Black Belt competitors.  Both showed great determination and spirit, however, despite a great attitude they both went out in the first round.  

In Kata, the elimations in the Shotokan Cup are all based on points rather than a knock out system.  Each competitor gets to choose their favourite Kata and this is scored by a panel of five judges.  Angus did Bassai Dai and had listened well to feedback, giving a solid performance. Jack also gave a credible performance of Bassai Dai.  However, due to the level of competition there on the day (hosting many UK International competitors) the boys did not make the finals.

The club enjoyed the day and the boys represented the club really well!

On the 7th July 2018 the Sowerby Bridge Shotokan Karate club travelled to Shinko Karate in York for a training course and grading with the Chief Instructor of the KUGB, Sensei Andy Sherry.  Sensei Sherry delivered a detailed knowledge of Karate in a passionate way and found innovative ways to teach and demonstrate every technique.  Only Jack Law was grading and he passed his gradings for 1st Kyu.  Sensei Sherry was impressed with Jack's attitude and determination. 

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On the 14th December the club travelled to Manchester and Sensei Garry Harford's club.  We took our two newest beginners, Aggie Wozniak and Vic Hendry to train with Sensei Harford before the grading.

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Club Members Peter Ingham, Nick Shaw and Scott Watson also travelled over to train in the advanced class and were treated the usual technical detail and our energy of Sensei Harford.

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At the grading both Aggie and Vic did really well and Sensei gave both really positive comments.  Well done ladies, you represented the club fantastically and did yourselves proud.

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Our club grading was held at the Shotokan Karate Academy and was run by the club Chief instructor and senior KUGB instructor, Garry Harford (8th Dan).

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Prior to the grading there was a black and brown belt course and this was attended by several of our senior grades.  This was followed by a Kyu grade course before the grading.

 

We had two students grading this time.  Our new beginner Poppy Sowden, even though being a little nervous, did a really solid grading to get her 9th Kyu (orange belt).  Back at the club Poppy has come back with renewed vigour and is now training hard for her next belt.

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Abbigail Fisher also di a very strong grading to get her 7th Kyu (yellow belt) and will now be eligible to enter most of out association competitions - watch out everyone, Abbi can definitely hold her own!!

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It was a great day with all our students representing the club fantastically.  Well done!!!!!

One of our instructors, Scott Watson, travelled to Chesterfield for a Special Dan course only for Black Belts. The course is focused on those working towards taking their 3rd Dan and above and was taught by Sensei Andy Sherry (9th Dan KUGB) and was also carefully watched over by Sensei Bob Poynton (8th Dan KUGB) and Sensei Frank Brennan (8th Dan KUGB).  All three instructors carefully watched all students, giving detailed advice.

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Scott handed his grading form in after getting permission to grade from Sensei Garry Harford (8th Dan KUGB).  After a nervous hour watching the 3rd Dan gradings he was called up to demonstrate advanced Kihon, Kata and Kumite.  This was a very tough grading where technique had to be maintained and demonstrated 

alongside great spirit and attitude all whilst being physically drained.

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After all this the grading panel decided that Scott had demonstrated the very high standards demanded by the KUGB to reach the level of 4th Dan.

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The club had its (delayed) Christmas Party and Awards night at The Moorings in Sowerby Bridge.  The night was well attended by members and their families.

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Peter Ingham received a recognition for his outstanding commitment to the club for the past 40 years over which time he has diligently taught many students and helped to keep this amazing Martial Art alive.

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Angus Norcliffe was awarded the '2018 Most Improved Student' award.  This was richly deserved as he has applied himself, listened and taken in all the feedback he has received from the instructors and as a result has made excellent progression in the preparation for his Shodan Grading.

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Finally, all the families of our members were thanked as without their efforts and understanding the club would not be able to function.

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One of our club instructors, Scott Watson, recently qualified as a KUGB Judge and this was his first experience at a KUGB national event.

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Scott judged in both Kata and Kumite events and whilst this was very tiring it was a very rewarding experience. Based on his knowledge and experience he was able to make decisions on the performance of the competitor and along with the other Judges and Referee was able to give clear decisions whilst keeping 

competitors safe.

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Scott is now looking forward to the next opportunity to judge at this level.

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As an instructor it is important to keep skills and knowledge current and as such the free black and brown belt courses regularly run by the Karate Union of Great Britain are a perfect opportunity to help with this. Today we had top class instruction from Sensei Andy Sherry (9th Dan) and Sensei Bob Poynton (8th Dan).  We were treated to a detailed kumite session from Sensei Sherry, working on distancing and timing and a detailed session focusing on the hip positioning in Mae Geri to both disguise the kick and maximise power. Inspirational teaching from two of our very best.

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On the 17th March the Sowerby Bridge Shotokan Karate club travelled to Shinko Karate in York for a training course and grading with Sensei Frank Brennan.  Sensei Brennan is one of the worlds most respected Karateka and delivered a highly technical course with clarity and passion. Both Angus Norcliffe and Jack Law passed their gradings - Angus 1st Kyu, Jack 2nd Kyu and Sensei Brennan was pleased with the great attitude from both.

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One of our instructors, Scott Watson, attended a Referee and Judges course in Killamarsh on the 19th October 2019.  Here, he studied the theory of the responsibilities of a Judge and a referee and all the associated terminally and signals.

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Having qualified as a Judge 12 months ago and having had a lot of practice experience, Scott chose to try for his Referee exam.  This consisted of theory written paper and a practical exam.  Scott was awarded his Referee badge after completing the course and assessment.

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The following day was the Northern Regional Championships, and although there was no-one from the club competing, Scott was refereeing for the first time here.  It was a great day with lots of valuable experience.  All competitors did really well with excellent attitude and spirit.  Scott refereed in many of the elimination events and the finals and enjoyed the opportunity to give something back to Karate and the KUGB.

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Today the KUGB held a free Black and Brown Belt course specifically aimed at this looking to take their first and second Dan gradings.  The course was split between Sensei Andy Sherry (9th Dan KUGB) and Sensei Frank Brennan (8th Dan KUGB).  The course was attended by Angus Norcliffe, Jack Law and Scott Watsons.  We were treated Detailed Kihon, Kata and Kumite with a real focus of technical correctness, how to use the body correctly to generate power and kime and the importance of a fierce attitude.

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Angus Norcliffe took his first Dan grading after the course.  After a gruelling set of basics and Kata, he then had to do Kumite.  Angus's hard work during training paid off when he was called up for his second Kata (Heian Sandan) and was eventually awarded his Shodan.  A great example that dedication and perseverance pays off.

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Well done Angus, you represented the club brilliantly and got a well deserved Black Belt - now the real training starts!!

The club travelled to Manchester to train with Sensei Garry Harford at the Shotokan Karate Academy.  

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Sensei Harford did a black and brown belt session which was very demanding and yet very instructive, getting the most out of the students.  Both Jack Law (our newest Black Belt) and Scott Watson trained in this session.

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Abbi Fisher trained in the following session where Sensei Harford took students through Kihon, Kata and Kumite relevant to their grade.  As always this was delivered with passion and suburb technical ability.

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The grading followed this session and Abbi was going for her 8th Kyu.  Abbi did very well with a very strong 8th Kyu grading and Sensei Harford commented how good her grading was.

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A great grading and once again two proud instructors.  Well done Abbi.

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Three members of the Sowerby Bridge Shotokan Karate Club (Angus Norcliffe, Jack Law and Scott Watson) went to the Leeds Shotokan Dojo for a fantastic all grades course held by Sensei Jimmy Brennan (8th Dan) and Sensei John Bruce (5th Dan).  After this there were selections for the Northern Regional Kumite squad and all three members were selected to train on this.  

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During the all grades course we were treated to in-depth explanations of Kihon, Kata and body dynamics.

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In the Kumite Squad session we were shown several kumite drills all focusing on the true source of power generation - the stance, the hips and the chest rotation all properly timed.  The attitude from everyone was fantastic with a great effort from our club.

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Well done Angus and Jack!!!

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One of our club instructors, Scott Watson, today attended a Referee and Judges course in Chesterfield.  Scott has already attended this event earlier on in the year and has practiced what he learned at the the Shotokan Karate Acedemy's inter-club competition, Sunderland Karate Championships and the Randy Williams Memorial Competition in Leeds.

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Scott went through more of the theory of competition paying special attention to safety of the competitors and spectators as well as the rules to be applied.  After completing a theory test he went on to do a practical assessment, helped by several fantastic volunteers doing Kumite and Kata.

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The result was that Scott passed his KUGB Judges Examination and he will now spend the next year Judging at several of the main KUGB 

championships to gain further experience.  After one year Scott intends to then try for his Referee's qualification.

On the 9th September the club was lucky enough to be invited to take part in the Randy Williams Memorial Competition held between Leeds Shotokan and York Elite.  

We took Angus Norcliffe and Jack Law to compete and both competed really well.  Both Angus and Jack got through the to finals of their Kata event, eventually both doing solid performances of Bassai Dai.  Angus secured a fourth place and Jack a second.  Very good effort considering the quality of the competition and the fact it was only the second time the guys have competed.  

In Kumite both put forward a very strong performance putting some seasoned competitors under a lot of pressure, and while they did not win, their opponents will certainly remember Sowerby Bridge Shotokan Karate Club. Well done!!!

On the 2nd December 2017 the Sowerby Bridge Shotokan Karate club travelled to Shinko Karate in York for a training course and grading with Sensei Garry Harford.  The course was well attended and was exceptionally well delivered.  We worked on the basics, kata and kumite to a very detailed level and were inspired by Sensei's passion.  Both Angus Norcliffe and Jack Law passed their gradings - Angus 2nd Kyu, Jack 3rd Kyu and both represented the club exceptionally well.

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