Caroline was living as a single woman in the heart of South London and wanted to learn some self defence. She started training in 2000 under Bijal Wadher at the Kenshukai Herne Hill dojo. After several months of training, Caroline started training with the club full time where she met and worked with Sensei Richard where they became close friends.

After a short break from her training in 2002, Caroline restarted her karate journey under the direct tutelage of Sensei Richard, at the same time, their relationship developed further and Caroline moved with him to Essex.

In 2004 she achieved the grade of shodan-ho in Kenshukai and eventually went on to achieve shodan in 2006 in Seitou Ryu.

Her majority of her roles within the club are more of an administrative nature, but she continues to train and inspire her fellow students and instructors and regularly assists with the running of the clubs promotions, events and gradings and teaches several of the children’s classes across the county.

Caroline and Richard were married in July 2007 and had their first child, Amelia later that year.

Achievements & Titles

Caroline holds a level 1 national coaching certification from MASA (Martial Arts Standards Agency) and is a recognised instructor and grading examiner by the Shi Kon Martial Arts Association.

In 2003 she was given the Most Motivating Instructor Award.
Caroline has been a regular competitor on the karate tournament scene and has achieved several trophies in both kata and kumite, her most recent tournament achievements are below:

1st Place Kata (Seitou Ryu 2008)
1st Place Kumite (Seitou Ryu 2008)
2nd Place Team Kata (Seitou Ryu 2008)
2nd Place Team Kumite (Seitou Ryu 2008)
3rd Place Kata (AMA Open 2006)
3rd Place Kumite (AMA Open 2006)

Instructor Profile

Sensei Mick Simmonds

Grade History

Shodan - 2008 (Seitou Ryu)

Training History

Mick first started training in Kenshukai karate in 2000. After he watched his wife and two daughters pass their first belt grading, he immediately got the bug and even though the rest of his family eventually dropped out, Mick has gone from strength to strength and hasn’t stopped training since.

Mick is one of the clubs’ longest serving instructors and takes on the majority of the senior roles and responsibilities at various times throughout the year.

Achievements & Titles

Mick holds a level 1 national coaching certification from MASA (Martial Arts Standards Agency) and is a recognised instructor by the Shi Kon Martial Arts Association.

Above & Beyond Award (2008)
3rd Place Kata (Seitou Ryu 2008)
1st Place Kumite (Seitou Ryu 2008)
2nd Place Team Kata (Seitou Ryu 2008)
2nd Place Team Kumite (Seitou Ryu 2008)
Instructor of The Year (2007)
2nd Place – Kumite (Seitou Ryu 2007)
1st Place – Team Kumite (Seitou Ryu 2007)
2nd Place – Team Kata (Seitou Ryu 2007)
Runner-Up Instructor of the Year (2004)
Above & Beyond Award (2005)

Instructor Profile

Sensei Steve Trangmar

Grade History

Shodan - 2008 (Seitou Ryu)

Training History

Steve had previously trained in Judo and several other martial arts before starting to train in karate in 2001 along with his daughter Jade. Steve says about his previous training “I just couldn't find something I felt comfortable doing. Then I tried karate and found that I enjoyed what I was doing and it made sense, so I kept at it.” And he hasn’t looked back since. Having a reputation for being one of the most energetic and motivating instructors in the club, Steve is also well known for his personal strength, commitment and dedication to his training and his students.

Achievements & Titles

Steve holds a level 1 national coaching certification from MASA (Martial Arts Standards Agency) and is a recognised instructor by the Shi Kon Martial Arts Association.

Some of his achievements include:

Instructor of the Year (2008)
3rd Place – Team Kata (Seitou Ryu Invitational 2008)
Above & Beyond Award (2007)
1st Place – Team Kumite (Seitou Ryu 2007)
2nd Place – Team Kata (Seitou Ryu 2007)
3rd Place – Kumite (Seitou Ryu 2007)
Above & Beyond Award (2006)
Above & Beyond Award (2005)
Most Motivating Instructor (2005)
Iron Man Award (2005)

Instructor Profile

Sensei Martin Lawrence

Grade History

Shodan - 2008 (Seitou Ryu)

Training History

Martin began his training in 2001 after his local sports club closed down. He wanted an activity to keep up his healthy lifestyle and karate seemed to be the way to go. He trained under several instructors in Kenshukai Karate, including Tony McEwan and later on in 2005 with Sensei Richard. Martin started his instructor training as a sempai in the Wickford dojo and after building up plenty of experience and completing his instructor accreditation course with Shi Kon, he was awarded his own class at the Runwell dojo.

Martin is well known for his incredible memory, and is often referred to as an encyclopaedia of knowledge when it comes to all things technical in karate. This unique ability makes him an excellent instructor and no question ever goes unanswered in his dojo.

Achievements & Titles

Martin is also a fierce competitor and has collected many trophies and medals over the years. In 2009 he became a founding member of the Seitou Ryu National Squad and has continued to excel in the areas of competition. Below are just some of his achievements:

1st Place Kata (Seitou Ryu 2008)
2nd Place Kumite (Seitou Ryu 2008)
1st Place Team Kata (Seitou Ryu 2008)
1st Place Team Kumite (Seitou Ryu 2008)
2nd Place Kata (Tokon Kai Invitational 2008)
1st Place Kumite (Tokon Kai Invitational 2008)
2nd Place Kata (Seitou Ryu Invitational 2008)
2nd Place Kumite (Seitou Ryu Invitational 2008)
3rd Place Team Kumite (Seitou Ryu Invitational 2008)
1st Place Kata (Seitou Ryu 2007)
1st Place Team Kata (Seitou Ryu 2007)
2nd Place Team Kumite (Seitou Ryu 2007)
2nd Place Kata (Tokon Kai Invitational 2007)
1st Place Kumite (Tokon Kai Invitational 2007)
2nd Place Kata (BIKO Open 2006)

Instructor Profile

PHOTO TO BE ADDED

Sensei Tony McEwan

Grade History

Shodan - 2008 (Seitou Ryu)

Training History

Achievements & Titles

Tony holds a level 1 national coaching certification from MASA (Martial Arts Standards Agency) and is a recognised instructor by the Shi Kon Martial Arts Association.

Some of his achievements include:

1st Place Team Kata (Seitou Ryu 2007)
Instructor of the Year (2006)
Instructor of the Year (2005)

Instructor Profile

PHOTO TO BE ADDED

Sensei Kim Mandy

Grade History

Nikyu (2nd kyu) - 2007 (Seitou Ryu)

Training History

Kim started training in 2002 at the Kenshukai karate Tilbury dojo to learn a bit of self defence and get fit. After achieving 6th kyu, her eldest daughter Tatum started training too. Shortly after, Kim took a break in training to have her second daughter Kylie but was back in the dojo training again less than a year later. Kim started teaching in 2007 when she took over the children’s class in South Ockendon where she had been a sempai for the previous year and continued to take the class from strength to strength. In 2008, Kim handed over her class to Sensei Nikki McBane, and just a short 2 months later gave birth to her son Cameron.

Achievements & Titles

Kim holds a level 1 national coaching certification from MASA (Martial Arts Standards Agency) and is a recognised instructor by the Shi Kon Martial Arts Association. In 2007 she was given the “Iron Man” Instructor Award.

Kim has been a regular competitor on the karate tournament scene since 2003 and has achieved several trophies in both kata and kumite, just a few of her many tournament achievements are below:

Iron Man Award (2007)
2nd Place – Kumite (Seitou Ryu 2007)
3rd Place – Kata (Seitou Ryu 2007)
2nd Place – Team Kata (Seitou Ryu 2007)

Instructor Profile

Sensei Nikki McBane

Grade History

Sankyu (3rd kyu) - 2008 (Seitou Ryu)

Training History

Nikki first started her training in 2006 when a fellow student brought her along to one of the clubs’ self defence seminars. Soon after she started training and has gone from strength to strength, working her way through the grades, eventually earning herself an invite to join in with the senior class.

At the annual gasshuku in the summer of 2008, Nikki graded to 3rd kyu and later on went to complete her instructor accreditation course at the Shi Kon Honbu dojo. Finally, in September that year, Nikki took over from Sensei Kim’s class in South Ockendon.

Achievements & Titles

Nikki holds a level 1 national coaching certification from MASA (Martial Arts Standards Agency) and is a recognised instructor by the Shi Kon Martial Arts Association.

Some of her achievements include:

2nd Place Kata (Seitou Ryu 2008)
2nd Place Kumite (Seitou Ryu 2008)
2nd Place Team Kata (Seitou Ryu 2008)
2nd Place Team Kumite (Seitou Ryu 2008)
1st Place Kata (Seitou Ryu Invitational 2008)
2nd Place Kumite (Seitou Ryu Invitational 2008)
1st Place Kata (Seitou Ryu 2007)
3rd Place Kumite (Seitou Ryu 2007)