Lack of Shotokan Karate courses prompts new initiative in the Midlands

The new course, due to take place on Sunday 5th September, is open to all grades and will see a four senior coaches run the half-day courses, all of them NAKMAS accredited coaches with vast Shotokan experience. The new programme has received the full backing of NAKMAS as it continues to support the roll out martial arts across the UK.

Peter Manning 6th Dan Black Belt and chair to the NAKMAS National Technical Committee says:

"There are large pockets of the country where Shotokan Karate courses are limited or unavailable. The Midlands has been one of those areas and anyone keen on this form of karate has been forced to travel south to develop their skills. By working with Wombourne SKC, NAKMAS is helping to extend the reach of Shotokan to a wider audience.

"The idea of the initiative is to pull in Midlands-based enthusiasts to take part in the half day course and benefit from the range of experiences from senior Shotokan coaches. We have purposely chosen senior coaches from a range of backgrounds to give those attending the course a new perspective and gain fresh input from senior coaches they are unfamiliar with."

Taking the course will be Cyril Cummins 7th Dan, Tony Conroy 7th Dan, Peter Manning 6th Dan, Slater Williams 6th Dan at Wombourne Leisure Centre, Ounsdale Road, Wombourne, South Staffordshire. Students who sign-up will be separated into groups based on their grades.

Each group will be rotated amongst the four senior coaches for one hour sessions per coach, providing a range of experiences and opportunities to develop in Shotokan Karate. Groups will be divided based on beginner to 8th Kyu, 7th Kyu to 4th Kyu, 3rd Kyu to 1st Kyu and the final group will be Dan Grades.

Peter Manning adds: "To benefit from the guidance and expertise of these four senior coaches over half a day at just £25 per student is undoubtedly value for money. Course attendees will leave having learned a great deal and will hopefully be more developed in their Shotokan skills, and will also receive a NAKMAS attendance certificate issued and signed by all four senior course tutors.

"NAKMAS will continue to throw its weight behind these innovative courses, which are being nurtured by our member clubs. Wombourne SKC has set a fantastic example with this course by responding to the needs of those interested in this style of karate. They are responding to a shortfall in available classes in the area and the course attendees will be the beneficiaries."

Ends

Notes to editors:

Find out more about Equality Standard: A Framework for Sport at www.equalitystandard.org

The National Association of Karate and Martial Art Schools (NAKMAS) National Governing Body is a non-funded national governing body and is a member of CCPR (the Central Council of Physical Recreation). With its Head Office based in Kent, NAKMAS governs all forms of traditional and modern martial arts and has over 73,000 members within the UK.

NAKMAS is an approved insurance provider via Zurich and holds a National and International Quality Standard Certificate via the BSI (British Standards Institute).

For further information, please contact:
Joe Ellis, Chair of the NAKMAS National Governing Body
Tel: 01227 370055 / 07976 736404
Fax: 01227 370056
Email: joe.ellis@nakmas.org.uk
Site: www.nakmas.org.uk