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Grading is a system whereby students can monitor their progress by undergoing examinations to progress to the next belt. KUGB Karateka will be eligible to grade providing they have fulfilled all technical requirements, hold a current KUGB licence and record book and have permission to grade from their senior club instructor, Sensei Michael O’Connor, 7^thDan.

All HSKC gradings are held at Queens Park High School, Handbridge by the KUGB Chief Instructor, Sensei Andy Sherry 9^thDan.

Students must train on average twice per week at a KUGB dojo, with an approved KUGB instructor.

Students who have demonstrated the required standard are awarded a coloured belt to denote their grade. Coloured Belt grades are known as Kyu grades and range from 9^thKyu – White Belt to 1^stKyu – Brown Belt with two white stripes. Students training at least twice per week and achieving the necessary level, may grade every 3 months up to 1^stKyu.

Once 1^stKyu is achieved, students must wait a further 6 months before being eligible to take Shodan (first level Black Belt). You should consult the senior club instructors to see if you are ready to grade. Not all students progress at the same rate, so it is important to grade only when you are ready. It is not uncommon for students to miss a grade.

Irrespective of skill or confidence levels, all students must have completed at least 26 hours training since their last grading in order to qualify for the next grading (16 hours in order to take their first grading).

Novices may grade after two months of training.

There must be a minimum of three monthly intervals between each grading from 9th Kyu to 1st Kyu.

It is possible for exceptional students to be graded directly to 8th Kyu, but this is at the discretion of the grading examiner.

A student may receive a ‘Temporary’ grade, which means that they are not quite up to the required standard. They will however wear the same coloured belt and train on the same syllabus as if they were a full grade.

Students who fail a Kyu grading may re-take their examination after three months.

The examiner may ask to see some or all of the Kihon, Kata and Kumite listed in the KUGB Syllabus. Candidates may be required to demonstrate material from previous gradings to ensure overall development – a brown belt for example may be asked to perform a Heian Kata.

Allowance will be made for candidates who are unable to perform certain techniques due to physical or other restrictions.

It must be emphasised that the KUGB Syllabus is intended as a guideline to prepare students for their gradings and that the most important factor is the examinee’s quality of performance.

FIRST LESSON FREE

We are always looking for new starters who have never done karate before or those who may have had some exposure to martial arts of different styles.

There are many benefits of studying karate whether you just want to get fit, meet people, would like to compete or are interested in more traditional budo, then karate is for you.

Our club instructor is Sensei Michael O’Connor 7th Dan KUGB who has been training for over 50 years. He is currently one of only four 7th Dans within the KUGB and has an unbelievable wealth of knowledge.

Sensei O’Connor is assisted by Sensei Dave Roberts 3rd Dan KUGB

Some of the benefits include (but are not limited to):-

• Improves focus and discipline in children
• Improves decision making
• Helps to achieve goals
• Positive effects for children on the spectrum
• Teaches Self-protection
• Helps reduce weight
• Helps to relieve Stress
• Improves overall fitness levels

After 2 months of regular training (at least twice per week), most students are ready to take their first grading. There is a system of belts ranging from White (beginner) to Black (advanced). Once the first level Black Belt is achieved, there are nine more levels of Black Belt (up to 10th Dan – Judan)

Our Chief Instructor and grading examiner, Sensei Andy Sherry 9th Dan has been training for over 60 years, so you can see how long it takes to get to the higher levels. First level Black Belt (Shodan) can be achieved in around 3.5 – 4 years of regular training.

All Kyu gradings (those below black belt) are conducted at Queens Park High School i.e. the same place you will be training. These are conducted 3-4 times a year and students who have been training diligently can expect to grade every 3 months.

In order to train and grade, students require a licence which can be obtained by visiting the KUGB website www.kugb.org and following instructions. Alternatively, see your instructor who can assist you with this. The licence also provides insurance cover.

Prices are £4 juniors, students and unemployed, £5 adults and there are special rates for families.

 

 

If you have trained in karate before and had a break for whatever reason, this is an ideal opportunity to come back and continue your karate journey.

Sensei Michael O’Connor 7th Dan KUGB has instructed seniors who have had 30 year breaks from karate and has guided them from Brown Belt up to 3rd Dan on at least 3 occasions in the last 10 years and has helped many more juniors and seniors achieve Shodan or higher.

There is no need to be nervous. We can introduce you slowly back into the syllabus. You can wear your belt relating to your current grade the last time you trained, or if you wish, you can wear a white belt until such time you feel confident enough to wear your normal belt. There is no pressure. We have had many karateka come back saying they wished they had never given up.

We also welcome people from different styles of karate.

Look forward to seeing you in the dojo soon.

Sensei Dave Roberts 3rd Dan KUGB

 

Members please note, Thursdays are now kumite nights focussing on all aspects. Please bring your mitts. 

Juniors/intermediates 6-7pm

Advanced/intermediates 7-8pm

Note: Thursdays are now 1/2 hour less for the second class. 

Handbridge Shotokan Karate Club (HSKC) was formally established by Sensei Geoff Wilding on the 4th May 1969 as a totally non-profit making club.

Fast forward 50 years, and the club is still active under the leadership of Chief Instructor Sensei Michael O’ Connor 7th Dan KUGB.

To celebrate this amazing achievement, a special training session has been arranged with Sensei O’ Connor. This will take place on Saturday 4th May 2019 at Queens Park High School from 11:15 to 12:45. In order to make this a very special occasion, we would like to invite students from all KUGB clubs (all grades) to participate in this special training session. Sensei O’ Connor is one of only four 7th Dans in the KUGB and his karate knowledge is extensive.

Following on from the training session, there will be a celebratory gathering at
Westminster Park Community Centre commencing at 5pm. All members and past members are welcome with family as are any other members of the KUGB

We would like to make this a very special event to acknowledge the dedication and
commitment to an outstanding karate instructor, without whom, many members of
HSKC would not be where they are today. Any KUGB member who would like to attend
the special training session and/or the celebratory gathering, please contact us via the contact form, email or on Facebook (Click here for Facebook training session event and here for the party event)

Let’s make this a day to remember.

Welcome to the new website for Handbridge and Westminster Park Shotokan Karate Clubs. This really has been long overdue.

Hope you like the new look and feel.

If you have any pictures or items you would like posting here or any comments please get in touch. You can use our Contact Form

The old website is can be found here: Archived Website

 

Well done to Laura King, Louise Coleman, Joseph Townsend, Daniel McDermott, Daniel Sheppard, Leo Owen, Charlie Appap, Nathan Goodwin, James Greensmith, Daniel Cocker, Jack Yang, Tom Devlin, Connor Williams, Ben Baker, Sam Baker, Dylan Champion, Oliver Devlin, Harry Devlin, Arjun Balasubramaniam, George Craggs, Edward Brown, Ellen Brown, Thomas Lang for successfully grading on Monday.

100% full pass rate. Well done all.

Fantastic grading result at Queens Park Handbridge last night with Hanshi Sherry.

Congratulations to the following members of Handbridge SKC:

Louise Coleman Orange
Joseph Townsend Orange
Tom Ye Orange
Daniel McDermott Orange

Daniel Sheppard Red
Leo Owen Red
Charlie Appap Red
Martin Taylor Red
Sam Taylor Red

Niall Hagan Yellow
Luke Floyd Yellow
Nathan Goodwin Yellow
James Greensmith Yellow
Daniel Cocker Yellow
Jack Yang Yellow

Olivia Hagan Green
Connor Williams Green
Tom Devlin Green

Ben Baker Purple
Sam Baker Purple
Dylan Champion Purple
Oliver Devlin Purple
Harry Devlin Purple
George Craggs Purple
Edward Brown Purple
Ellen Brown Purple

Olivia Thorpe Purple & White

Tom Birch Brown
Sonia Danby Brown
Thomas Lang Brown

Also, congratulations to the following member of Ataru who graded with us last night:

Niall Malone Orange
Sandra Keissling Orange

Gareth Steele Purple and White

Congratulations to Daniel Sheppard, Natthawut Nurat, Jude Whelan, Leo Owen, Martin Taylor, Sam Taylor, Daniel Cocker, Jack Yang, James Greensmith, Luke Floyd, Nathan Goodwin, Connor Williams, Tom Devlin, Olivia Hagan, George Craggs, Dylan Champion, Ellen Brown, Edward Brown, Oliver Devlin, Harry Devlin, Ben Baker, Sam Baker, Charlie Appap, Arjun Balasubramaniam, Olivia Thorpe, Sonja Danby and Tom Birch for successfully grading last night with Hanshi Sherry at Handbridge last night.

Well done everyone.