Kyle is a member at our Workington Karate Club and has been with us for over 3 years now. Since that time, we've watched Kyle grow into a fine young man, always working hard and displaying respect for others around him. He holds a real passion for karate, eager to learn from seniors and always willing to help out juniors with a warm smile! His technique is both strong and sharp, with a determined attitude that shows great potential for the future! We asked Kyle a few questions about his experiences at our dojo - his answers are short but sweet... Why did you start Karate? I decided to start Karate because I wanted to learn how to look after myself and get fit. I'm glad I made the decision to join! What do you enjoy most about our club? I enjoy learning new things, especially when it is something we've not done before. Plus I like the way all ages work together to help each other improve. What benefits have you gained from regular training? I feel much stronger and my techniques are improving little by little each time I attend class. What goals do you have for the future? To improve as much as I can and hopefully get my black belt in the future! What message would you give to others who may be looking to start martial arts? Just come and have a go - You'll love it and want to keep going, getting better and better like I have! Fancy giving one of our classes a go?
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The awards for our 2017 Student of the Year were made on Saturday morning at our Whitehaven dojo. The class was swelled in numbers as some from our other clubs also came along to help support this important occasion. Every member had an opportunity to vote for their choice of both senior and junior winners. What was the reason for each vote? What sort of things did each consider? Well that’s the beauty of these awards. There is no defined formula or score to reach. The choice is entirely personal. As is tradition, last year’s winners, Owen Hughes and Sophie Cullen, made fitting handover speeches that involved some thank-you’s and an insight on what being Student of the Year has meant to them. Young Owen reminded his yet to be announced successor of the responsibility in holding the honour. He told everyone how the award had encouraged him to try his best, push even harder than before and aspire to be a great example for fellow members. Without a doubt, Owen and Sophie have both worn their crowns well this year! Once the applause for the outgoing speeches died, Sensei Chris Denwood read aloud some of the comments voters had written in support of their junior choice. I listened to words like “dedicated”, “focussed”, “helpful” and realised quickly that they could apply to so many members. The winner’s attributes were further described until young Harvey Hurst’s easy going, always smiling, conscientious approach to karate finally led the audience to his shocked and surprised face – he was our 2017 recipient! Harvey is an outstanding young man, who struggled to muster much more than a “thanks” through his shocked and beaming face. And that’s the beauty of this award right there in that moment. He won the award for how he trains and how he affects others, not just his karate. And yet, he was totally unaware of how much his approach to training is noticed and appreciated by members, assistants and instructors alike. A modest and unassuming, yet very talented young man. Congratulations Harvey on an award well deserved! The senior award this year went to one of our longest standing members, Tom Duggan, who joined the dojo following some self-defence courses led by Chris a decade ago. He stood out to me when I began training, not because of his significant height but because of how much he helped me. Very much a true gentleman with nothing but praise and encouragement for everyone around him. Tom represents the real nature of our group. A formidable karateka, plus a patient and supportive role model. He is part of our closed dojo and active support group committee member, playing a key part in defining the very karate we practice. The voter’s comments reflected the fact that Tom is indeed the epitome of what every karateka should aspire to. Congratulations Tom on a fitting accolade long overdue! As you’d expect, Tom’s speech was as unprepared and as short as young Harvey’s! However, there was little time anyway following what was probably the longest applause I’ve ever heard. True recognition that these awards were so well deserved. It also allowed time for a beautiful celebration cake to be presented for us all to enjoy. Big thanks to former SOTYA winner Peter Hinde for such a kind gesture, and to Danielle Leeson for sharing with us all her amazing baking talents! Trust me; I tried a small piece. It has covered lunch, tea and tomorrow’s breakfast :-) The first duty for our newly crowned Students of the Year was to select from the “hat” the names of two charities (local and national) that will benefit from our Community Fund donations this year. Thanks to monies raised throughout last year, we were able to support the St Bees RNLI and Great North Air Ambulance. This year, we're able to donate to two more deserving charities. For our local charity, Harvey pulled out Alice’s Escapes, a South Lakes organisation that provides holiday respite for sick children. For our national charity, Tom pulled out MacMillan Cancer Support. Watch this space for news about these donations and when we’ll be presenting. So, big thanks to our members for taking time to vote for SOTY, for attending the dojo to support the award presentations and for giving so generously to our Community Fund. Plus of course, a final congratulations goes to our two very deserving winners.
Dave F eDanielle has been with our group for just over three years and in that time has faced numerous challenges with an unwavering attitude and positive frame of mind. She makes use of our flexible membership package and spreads her training between our Workington, Whitehaven, Arlecdon and Cleator clubs. As a mother of five, juggling her karate training alongside her work and family commitments would seem an impossibility to most. But Danielle always manages to take it in her stride and proves that there are no excuses to pursuing your passion. In December, she also took the opportunity to travel to Malta with Chris in order to assist during one of his overseas seminars! An inspiring character both inside and outside the dojo, it is our pleasure to share Danielle's Spotlight with you... Why did you start karate? My karate journey started on the side lines. As a parent who always wants to best for my children I felt that karate would be a great way for them to learn a sense of discipline, gain confidence and of course self defence skills. What I didn't anticipate was becoming a karate-ka myself. I took my kids to karate and watched them in their classes for a year before I decided that it was something that I would like to try...... I have never looked back. Without a doubt, it's the best decision I've ever made. What do you enjoy most about our club? Not only am I learning an invaluable set of self defence skills, at E.S.K.K. I have become part of a family. A family that always look out for and supports each other, in and outside of the dojo. Whether it be help with learning a new technique or kata, sharing a lift to get to a class or to have a shoulder to lean on during tough times. Whilst I am in the dojo I like to train very hard as do all of my fellow members, from the youngest tots and new starters, to those that have been training for years and the 'not so young'. I have always been proud of the respect that is shown in our dojo. We bow as we enter and by doing this we are showing that we respect each and every member equally, as well as those that have walked in our footsteps before us, and that we will always do our absolute best in our training for the sake of ourselves & our fellow karate-ka. It's also fantastic to be able to train along side your children. We thoroughly enjoy training together in the dojo as well as at home. It's great when your kids come up to you and say "Mum, can we practice kata?" It sets a great example for your kids to be 1. Physically active, 2. Always trying your best, no matter how hard it gets and 3.Having fun, doing something that will be of benefit to them for the rest of their lives. What benefits have you gained from regular training? Karate is more than just self defence. It is a holistic system. Yes, it trains the body but it also forges the spirit and helps the mind to grow in so many ways too. Aiming for my next belt is always a good goal but it's what else comes with that belt....It means that I have trained hard, perhaps even sacrificed a night or two in front of the TV! It means that I have spent time with an amazing group of positive people, it means that my confidence has grown a little, and sometimes a lot. It means that I am proud of myself for going out of my comfort zone and achieving something that at some point I wasn't sure if I could- but I did. It doesn't stop there.....all these lessons carry on into my life outside the dojo, meaning that I have more confidence to try new things and become more of a 'doer' not someone who sits around and says "What if?". I also feel that I have a more positive outlook on life as well as a great deal more patience, which in turn helps me to feel more balanced and at peace with myself. What goals do you have for the future? Ultimately I am aiming for my black belt as I imagine that anyone who, on their first day at the dojo would.....To me that is not what it's all about though. My journey so far at E.S.K.K. has already been so inspiring. I take my inspiration from every single member. Everyone has something to offer, be it a kind word, to showing great spirit. I hope that I can also be an inspiration to those that I train with including my own children and to help people to realise how much potential they have and what they are capable of by believing in themselves. What message would you give to others who may be looking to start martial arts training? Do it! Life is too short to sit around and think too much. One shot is all we get and we need to embrace all of the good in life. As I've mentioned there are so many benefits to the holistic system of karate. The positive attitude from all of the members at E.S.K.K. as well as the camaraderie is second to none. From the first day I walked into the dojo I felt at home and now have my amazing 'karate family' who I wouldn't be without! Fancy giving one of our karate classes a go?It was simply wonderful to see so many members at our seminar yesterday! The morning session 'kicked' off at 11:00am, where we spent almost two-hours on a selection of drills to help develop kicking skills. This included methods of employing the most efficient use of the legs and a focus on how best to transition between one kick and another. Kicking is always a difficult skill to master, so it was fantastic to see such enthusiasm in the room.
All in all, it was a very productive day and everyone really seemed to enjoy themselves. The good thing about seminars like this is that you can not only concentrate on specific aspects of karate, but you can also spend time with others who are just as thirsty for knowledge. If you're passionate about the art, then that's a win-win situation in anyone's book!
Thanks to the wonderful people at the Marchon Club in Whitehaven for providing us with the venue, plus all the parents who gave up their Sunday so that their kid(s) could attend. And of course, all the participants for helping to make this event (like all our others) a complete success. |
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February 2025
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