Ilkley Karate Club - Dan Grades (Current)    The Blackburne Family Elly Field Keeley Hall Jamie Hennessey Simon Holden Andy Gower Jo Moore Mark Outterside Liam Scott Sam Davison Isabel Westwood Jo, Max and Bridget Taylor Patrick Walton Tanya Donkin   Mark Outterside Mark is the Chief Instructor of the club.  He founded and has run the club for over 22 years.  A summary of the journey can be found here.                The Blackburne Family Giles first started karate under Sensei Frank Cope at Wirral Shotokan Karate Club (K.U.G.B.) in 1974, achieving 1st Dan at the age of 12 in 1978 and 2nd Dan in 1980. Whilst studying Chinese in Taiwan, Giles achieved 1st Dan in Olympic (WTF) style Taekwondo in 1988, then later in Glasgow, with the Taekwon-do Association of Great Britain (TAGB), achieved 2nd Dan in 1994 and 3rd Dan in 1997. He fought several times for the Scottish team. A new direction led to a 1st Dan in Kendo with the British Kendo Association in 2001. After a break, Giles started training at Ilkley Karate Club in 2006, gaining his 1st Dan in Shukokai Karate in 2007 and 2nd Dan in 2009 (SKU). Shirley Blackburne began Taekwondo in Glasgow in 1992 and achieved a 1st Dan with Taekwondo Association of Great Britain (TAGB) in 1996. As a green belt Shirley had some early competition success as a silver medallist in the Scottish sparring championships. After a break from training to have a family, she joined Ilkley Karate Club in 2007, achieving her 1st Dan in Shukokai Karate (SKU) in 2010. Daughter Rose Blackburne achieved her First Dan in Karate (SSKU) in 2010 after 4 years of training at the Club. In doing so she became the third generation of Blackburnes to reach Black Belt (her grand father is also a 1st Dan in Shotokan Karate). Rose was especially delighted to be amongst the first group of Ilkley students to achieve a Dan grade under the new SSKU syllabus. In little over 5 months she had picked up the new katas and subtle changes in technique to the point that the examiners did not notice her SKU origins. In achieving her 1st Dan at only 11 years old, she has beaten her dad - much to his consternation - and pride.   Simon Holden My training started way back in 1985 at Addingham Karate Club under the instruction of Graham Thorpe. After a short break to do my school exams I started training again, staying with Graham for another year or so. During this period both clubs, Ilkley and Addingham, used to train together sometimes and I spent more time training at the Ilkley club (we used to call it the Kata club). Even after the first training session I could tell that the club had a different feeling about it, more relaxed but perhaps more focused at the same time on the traditional and spiritual side of karate in which I am more interested. Addingham was much more a 'sport' karate club. At Addingham we used to travel every weekend all over the country entering competitions of which I won quite a few, but lost just as many too. Since joining the Ilkley club the emphasis changed slightly.  Although still entering competitions, Mark encouraged us (students) to enter both kumite and kata, believing that it made you a more rounded person/competitor; it certainly helps with self confidence standing out in front of a few hundred people doing your kata! I have never been a belt chaser and have taken what seems like an age to get to 2nd dan although I have been training for over 20 years. This doesn't really bother me as I still enjoy training and teaching when I can. I tend to concentrate more on the practical application of karate, practising the basic kata (bunkai) and pressure points. In the future I hope my children will try karate; it is a tough, demanding discipline with many beneficial rewards. Osu  Jo Moore I started training in June 2006 after becoming hooked whilst watching my eldest son’s first lesson.  On average I’ve trained three times a week since then, and on occasions more, it can be very addictive!  For me karate is enjoyable and has also improved my health.  I have MS and the training we do eases some of my symptoms.  When I had a relapse in March 2009, I was told that my recovery was very quick, probably due to the amount of training/exercise I do.  My dream was to become a black belt before my 40th which I achieved in March 2010 with 3 months spare! Trophies   2006 : 1st place kata; 2nd place IKC women's league table 2007 : 2x 1st place kata; 2x 2nd place kata; 2x 3rd place kata; 3x 2nd place kumite; 2x 3rd place; IKC club champion; IKC adult  champion; IKC adult kata champion; IKC competitor of year and 1st place IKC women's league table  2008 : 3rd place kata;2nd place kumite and a 3rd place kumite and 1st place IKC women's league table 2009 : 3rd place kata; and runner up IKC women's league table 2010 : Too soon to see!   Patrick Walton Like so many life-changing occurrences, my passion for karate came about almost by chance. I noticed a sign outside a gymnasium promoting karate and thought it would be a good activity for my six-year-old son, Piers. I decided to attend with him for the first sessions, partly to keep him company, but also to discover what karate is all about. It is hard work and soon Piers said "you've got to be joking" and threw in the towel. But by then I was hooked. Ilkley Karate Club achieves exceptionally high standards and has produced a world Shukokai karate champion for each of the last three years.  What led me to becoming hooked, was the enjoyment of training which is physically and mentally demanding but a tremendous way to de-stress. Karate promotes the humanitarian in its followers. Because you know what harm could be done to a fellow human being, you simply never want to use it. As with other aspects of Eastern culture, there are medicinal advantages in learning karate which benefit long-term health. As we grow older our ligaments shrivel. Karate training is about stretching the body. As well as helping the general posture, this holds many benefits for our bodies and overall health. After five years' training, I've now been awarded a black belt as a First Dan and, in two years' time, I can try to become a Second Dan. If I can, I aim to go all the way up to Sixth Dan. I'm also pleased to say that Piers is now training alongside me as part of a group of younger people taking part. Elly Field I started karate when I was 6, around 6 and a half years ago. I started training once a week, but now I train more often, much harder and enjoy it much more. My karate career has taken me to lots of competitions, including the W.K.C, in 2005 where I came 2nd in kata, 2006 and 2007 where I came 1st for both kata and kumite, 2009 where I came 2nd in kata and 1st in kumite. In 2007, 2009 and 2010 I won the British Championships, I have also won some other competitions all around England. I have been awarded the Ilkley Karate Club Competitor of the year award a few times, and I’ve won the club league twice and have come 2nd and 3rd before. I got my black belt when I was 10 years old, in November 2008. I am currently training with the SSKU Kumite Squad and hope to make it as a high level competitor and to compete in some very big competitions.      The Taylor Family Max started in April 2004 just before his 7th birthday. He joined because a friend (Jamie) was already a member. He has won numerous trophies in competitions and through the club league. He graded for 1st dan black belt on 22nd November 2008 age 11. Bridget started in April 2005 having just turned 6. She joined because Max was involved. She has won numerous trophies in competitions and through the club league. She graded for 1st dan black belt on 28th March 2010 aged 10 and was the second youngest person to grade for black belt on the day. Jo started in the summer of 2005, to join her children and for fitness. She graded for 1st dan black belt on 28th March 2010. She had no previous martial arts experience.   Jamie Hennessey I started Karate with IKC in 2003, originally to develop physical fitness and to learn the skills of self defence. These remain but also I learned to love my Karate. Throughout 2004 and to 2008, I made steady progress through the grades - finally achieving 1st Dan in November 2008. Along the way I accumulated numerous medals and trophies gained in Kata and Kumite competitions. IKC Cadet League Champion 2008; IKC Student of the Year 2008.       Andy Gower Age: 39 Occupation: Electronic Engineer, Martial arts: karate 1st Dan, training for 13 years, aikido (ungraded).  Especially interested in realistic self-defence and anything that causes damage. Hoping to do 2nd Dan before the rest of the club overtakes me. Other interests: motorbikes and bike racing, Landrovers and building large workshops. Currently living in Harrogate, but continuing to train at Ilkley Karate Club due to the great club atmosphere and the devotion of Sensei Mark Outterside to his club and students       Liam Scott I started karate at 8 years old, I joined because conventional sports didn't interest me and after hearing several of my friends at school went to Ilkley Karate club I decided to give it a try. At first I struggled to make any progress but I stuck at it and continued training. After a year and a half I entered my first Kumite competition in Wharfedale and, much to my surprise, came second. This encouraged me to compete more and I made appearances at the Wharfedale competitions whenever I could collecting an array of trophies. In 2006 I collected my first individual Kumite trophy at national level; second place.  This was a great achievement for me as I thought my size would make it difficult to make an impact on the much bigger competitors. I also collected a 3rd place Kata trophy on the same day and won two more 3rd place Kumite trophies at national level. As well as winning individual trophies I competed in the team category and helped win gold 3 times in a row. However I think my greatest achievement was getting my black belt 1st Dan at the age of 12. Although I have not competed for a while I have been regularly turning up to training sessions, improving my technique so I can  start working for my 2nd Dan and I would like to try for this some time next year.     Isabel Westwood I started karate in 2005, when I was 9. During the five years I've won the club league for my age group consecutatively for a number of years now and also did quite well in kata at competitions, when I entered them. In June 2010 all my hard work was rewarded as I passed my blackbelt at the age of 14. I still go training regularly because I enjoy it and also so I can practise for my 2nd dan, which i'd like to get but i'm in no rush for.         Tanya Donkin I was born in South Africa on the 2nd of Jan 1997. I started Karate, Goja Ryu at the age of 6, 8 years ago. I like Karate because it is about discipline, courage and respect for others. I also like Karate as it is a sport that you have to passionate about, you need to train hard and have a strong competitive spirit. I was trained by Sensei Stef Biagioni who has helped me to win many competitions, including the WKC Children's World Championships in Germany when I was 9, a silver medal at the WKC Championships in Slovenia when I was 11. Then in 2009 as a member of a Unison team we were selected for the South African Protea squad and awarded full Protea colours, this is the highest award for sportsmen and women in South Africa. We won gold at the WKF Commonwealth Karate Championships in October 2009. I was also awarded my black belt in October as well as winning the South African Championships for kata and a silver medal for Unison. In March 2010 I won a gold medal for kumite and Unison and was selected for the SA team to compete in regional championships in Zimbabwe where we won a silver medal for Unison and I won a bronze medal for kumite. My family and I have recently moved to England and my dream is to be a member of the English team, a goal that I will be working towards.   Sam Davison I developed my passion for karate when I was nine years of age. Back then it was only a once a week afterschool club though. This style was a Korean karate called Tang Soo Do (the same style as Chuck Norris!). I stayed at this club for two years under the tuition of Sabinem Janet McKenna, and got about two thirds of the way to black belt. Then it was time for me to leave primary school and move to Ilkley Grammar School. I really enjoyed my time with Sabinem McKenna but this change meant I couldn't keep training at this club. I was lucky to find Ilkley Karate Club and Sensei Mark Outterside, and even more lucky to find a space in the club's waiting list. After seemingly re-learning karate from the foundations up, I was delighted to earn my Black Belt under strict traditional Japanese karate standards in December 2010. Throughout my studies at Ilkley Karate Club I have been a regular competitor at kumite (sparring) and more recently kata. Competition is great fun, it really focuses your mind to go up against the best in the region, country or even world. I truly hope to carry on doing Karate as long as I can, hopefully being given the honour of trying for more Dan grades. Who knows what the future holds!

Ilkley Karate Club - Dan Grades (Former Members)    Chris Harris Chris started karate training in Scotland in 1996 whilst at university. He joined the SKU in 2001 when he moved to Yorkshire and began training at Marks club in 2002. He has been assisting instructing at the club since 2003. So far his training has taken him to the Mediterranean and Japan and has been responsible for introducing him to some great friends and happy memories. He has earned numerous national trophies for both kumite and kata over the years. He is a recognised instructor with the SKU and is a qualified Karate England judge. He continues to train hard, study kata and is currently working towards his 3rd Dan.         Jade Miller I first began the art of karate in 1990, under the instruction of Sensei Ken Gee Kyojin at Otley Karate centre. In 1995 I reached my peak as a cadet taking the titles of National, North of England, Eastern, Cumbria Open, Newcastle Open, Traditional Karate Open and EKGB Kata Champion. Then in October I finished off a successful year by obtaining the grade of 1st degree black belt. Between the karate seasons of 1996-2000 I continued to add to my trophy collection, bringing home further Kata titles plus many runners up and third place medals. I also gained the grades of 2nd Degree Black Belt in 1997 and 3rd Degree Black Belt in 2000.  During the seasons 2000-2003 I reached my peak as a senior competitor, I gained a place on the England Squad and began competing in Kumite. During this time I moved away from Kata and began to concentrate on the sparring aspect of the art.  As a senior competitor I became the SKU National and British Champion in 2 weight categories, Traditional Karate Open Champion, BKF Champion (Individual and Team), EKGB Champion (Individual and team) and Jersey Federation Champion and Runner up (Kata, Kumite & Team). I also held other runner up and 3rd Places for EKGB events in both Kata and Kumite. In 2002 I was awarded an EKGB Instructors award and from this I opened a karate academy of my own, which was held in Bingley and Crossflatts. I had an average of 40 students, of which 5 gained the grade of Black Belt and began to become successful in Open competitions. I retired from competing in 2002/2003 after collecting 110 trophies/medals, holding too numerous titles to mention - but crowning them all was the Traditional Karate Champion Female Kata & Kumite where I retired after being un-defeated for 3 years During the latter part of 2009 I returned to training under Ilkley Karate Club (Mark Outterside) and I intend making a fresh appearance in  competitions    William Coates  I started karate at the age of 7. Like most I found it very difficult at first but I enjoyed it so much I was determined to get there. My goal was to be a black belt. With some fantastic coaching over the years I managed to achieve my goal of 1st dan black belt on 23rd June 2007 at the age of 11........... A very proud day for me. I've been entering competitions from about 2004 onwards. I've had successes at local and national levels, through the different categeries & belts, in both kata and kumite however my real love was kumite.  I was SKU National Kumite Champion in 2006 and 2007, in addition to my 3rd places in 2004, 2005 & 2008, Wharfedale Kumite Champion in 2004 & 2006, 3rd in 2005 & 2007, and I was part of the Ilkley team that were the SKU National Team Kumite Champions in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006 coming 2nd in 2007.  2007 was a fantastic year for me......... Feb - SKU National Kata 3rd& 4th ind and 3rd place with the team; May - SKU National Kumite 1st ind; June - Dan grading 1st dan; Sept - Wharfedale Kumite 3rd ind; Oct - SKU British Open 3rd in Kumite & 3rd in Kata; Oct - SKU National Team 2nd place with the team; Oct - WTKA World Karate & Free Style Championships in Italy 3rd place in kickboxing & 1st place in Kumite (WTKA World Champion) Since 2007-2008 I had reduced my training and competing due to other comittments however I feel revitalised again and at the grand old age of 14 now wish to compete again and try for that 2nd dan, which is now long over due.    Ashley Woodhouse Ashley Woodhouse first started karate as a form of self defence as he was bullied as a young child but today he continues to pursue his passion for the art.  At present he assists his coach & the Ilkley Karate Club Instructor Mark Outterside. "Mark has made a massive impact on my life from being a young child.  Without his support I wouldn't have been able to face the adversity I had as a child".   He's won over 200 trophies in his competition career.  Including BIKO British International Karate Open Champion, SKU National Kata/Kumite Champion, Wado Ryu Karate Open Kumite Champion, Northwest Karate Open Kumite 3rd, BKF Kumite Champion, SKU British Open Kata/Kumite Champion, AMA Southern Open Karate Championship Kumite 2nd, Yorkshire Regional Open Kumite Champion, SKU Kata Champion, EKF Kumite Champion, WAKO Karate Kumite Champion, FEKO Kata Champion, AMA Kumite/Kata Champion, English Karate Team Kumite Champion, Scottish Open 3rd Kumite Champion, British National Karate Champions 2nd Kata.   He has been trained by what he considers to be the best competitors in the World, people such as Matt Price - 5x Shotokan World Champion; Craig Burke - 6x World Champion; Jonathan Mottram - National Kata Squad Coach; Ticky Donovan - Ex National Squad Coach and Mark Outterside - Club Coach/Mentor.   Advanced Masterclasses have been attended with Wayne Otto 9x World Champion & National Squad Coach; Astuko Wakai in Shito Ryu Kata's; Stefano Maniscalo in Kumite (currently 4th in the World) and Luca Valdesi in Shotokan Kata's (currently 1st in the World)  Over the years he has had the honour of serving on England SKU Karate Team; English Regional Team; England "Great Britain" International Team "I've noticed on my travels in Karate strength does not come from winning; it is your struggles and the hardships that you experience that give you strength. When you learn not to surrender, that gives you strength. Remember to keep away from the people that try to belittle your ambitions as your ambitions will make you great".   Robert Toole Robert first started training in the martial arts in 1979 with Wado Ryu Karate and Wing Chun Kung Fu in Carlisle. Given both were on the same evenings one after the other Robert decided to focus on the more disciplined Karate at the Cumbria School of Karate under Doug James now 7th Dan and Chief Instructor of the Chojinkai Karate Association.  In both 1980 and 1981 he was Junior (Yellow to Purple belt) national Kata champion of the Tera Karate Kai association led by the late Sensei Toru Takamizawa 7th Dan of Doug’s Carlisle club was a member. Whilst at University in Newcastle Upon Tyne Robert continued to train with other association  clubs in Newcastle, Prudhoe and Hexham.  He also undertook training in Judo to develop a more rounded approach to the martial arts. After leaving university and returning to work in Carlisle he also trained in Jiu-Jitsu grading at 4th kyu.  During this period after university Robert was regularly deputy instructor to Doug in Carlisle. He also won the Chojinkai association’s Kata and Kumite competitions (despite being at that time a lightweight) both at junior and senior levels.  In 1984 Robert achieved his 1st Dan black belt in Wado–Ryu on a summer course in Torremolinos, Spain.  To further complement his training Robert also trained in free-fighting every Friday evening with Alistair Mitchell JKA 7th dan and 5 times world middleweight champion. He regularly attended training seminars with well known British instructors such as Ticky Donovan; Harry Cook; Terry O’Neill; Vic Charles and Eugene Codrington as well as visiting JKA instructors from Japan.  In 1986 he achieved his 2nd Dan.  However the same week his father died and with additional work commitments leading to a reduced capacity for regular instruction and continued learning his training continued on an ad hoc informal basis. Having worked in France and the USA Robert returned to the UK and subsequently moved to Ilkley. His young son Daniel wished to try out karate and Robert went to look at the Karate club at the church hall at the bottom of the hill. Liking what he saw, with Mark’s enthusiasm, passion and commitment to the art, Robert restarted full time training at the end of 2008 and following regular training was given an honorary brown belt by Mark. February 2009 he was awarded his 1st Kyu by visiting SKU Chief  Instructor Stan Knighton. In June he won the 35+ Brown /Black Belt Senior SKU National Kumite event and in August at the SKU’s 40th anniversary Gashuku  in Cala de Fenestrat, Spain, he was awarded his Shukokai 1st Dan. At the end of 2009 Robert was the Ilkley club’s Adult League Champion, Kumite Champion and Grading Champion (Mark of course won the Men’s Kata). Currently working in Portsmouth he looks forward to training at the club on Saturday’s with his son Daniel.