Colin Needham (5th Dan)

Chief Instructor Red Sun (Swinton Karate Club).

The following is a brief resume of Sensei Needham's training history:

Started training in 1981 under Sensei Mike Tose - 3rd Dan at Manchester College of Building and Salford University Clubs, associated to KUGB.

Upon leaving college he joined Partington Skotokan Karate Club and trained under the instruction of Sensei Mike Ford - 1st Dan.

Took first grading in December 1981 under Sensei Andy Sherry, with all subsequent Kyu grading examinations taken under Sensei Enoeda - achieving 1st Kyu in mid 1984.

Attempted Shodan under Sensei Andy Sherry in June 1985, but was not successful "no bad thing looking back"

During the following year 1986, whilst preparing to re-take Shodan, suffered a broken leg during a game of ice-hockey, which caused an enforced lay-off from training for approx 12 months

Started training again during 1987 but unfortunately Partington SKC closed. After watching and training with various local clubs, joined Red Sun Shotokan karate Club; primarily because the club was well run, and the standard of both the instructor and the students was very good.

After learning new syllabus requirements, passed Shodan under Sensei Paul Perry in 1990. Passed Nidan in 1993. Passed Sandan in 1997, and Yondan in 2002.

In recent years Colin has won various competitions in Kata and Kumite, as an individual competitor and as leader of the Swinton SKC competition squad - see photo gallery for competition photos

Colin is a Civil Engineer and runs his own company; Dynamic Technical Services, specialising in the provision of water management services, portable appliance testing and project management - see www.dynamicts.co.uk

Colin is a Cobra Class 1 instructor.

Keith Mayor(4th Dan)

Assistant Instructor

The following is a brief resume of Sensei Mayor's training.

Started training in 1982 with Sensei's Johnson & Scott, at the Fletcher Hall Swinton.

The training was hard, with the emphasis on getting the basics right.

Graded to Shodan in 1984 at Westminster Cathedral Hall, London, under Sensei Charles Mack, chief instructor for BSKSA.

As this was on a Sunday, and there was a church service going on next door I hope that our Kiai's didn't upset them too much!

Graded to Nidan in 1986 at the Watford Leisure Centre under Sensei Paul Perry, chief instructor JSK.

Graded it Sandan in 1992, again under Sensei Perry, and am now waiting to attempt Godan, which is long overdue as I was forced to take a 12 month break due to a non Karate related injury.

Starting late in life, I have not entered competitions, but have trained with some notable instructors including –

Hirakazu Kanazawa, Morio Higaonna, Patrick McCarthy and Ticky Donovan and the England Karate Squad.

Keith is a Cobra class 1 instructor

Keith McNamara (3rd Dan)

Assistant Instructor

Between 1974 and 1976, I trained in Wing Chun and Pak Mei kung fu. As was common then, these clubs folded and was left looking for a more secure club to train at.

Between 1977 and 1980 I trained at Bolton Shukokai karate at Bolton Health Studio. Great emphasis was placed on competition sparring and here achieved 4th Kyu.

 In 1980, I joined the Territorial Army Parachute regiment at Oldham and unfortunately the training nights clashed, so martial arts took a back seat for a while.

Took up boxing for a couple of years, as I enjoyed the fitness training at the boxing club, then started training at Red Sun Karate  in 1986 with Sensei Malcolm Johnson which was very traditional and very well taught. It was here I discovered there was so much more to karate than just sparring.

I achieved 1st Dan in June 1990. I damaged knee ligaments training for 2nd Dan but eventually managed to pass 2nd Dan with the aid of several knee straps in July 1999 under Sensei Paul Perry.

I tore the remainder of my knee ligaments and was unable to train karate for a number of years, limited only to gym work. In 2003, my son wanting to learn karate, and I decided to join with him and have been training ever since.

 

Steven Michael Royle (3rd DAN)

Assistant Instructor

Started training about 1988 under H Clarke (1st DAN) in Tani Ha Shito Ryu Karate, aka Kofukan Englend. Also trained in Wado Ryu under W Gaskell (4th DAN) Wado Ryu. Attainrd 1st Kyu in Kofukan Karate before having to stop due to starting a motor vehicle apprenticeship.

The college nights were the same as the training nights! Awarded junior 1st Kyu in 1989, and awarded 4th Kyu green belt when I turned 16 in 1991. Took 1st DAN in March 1998 and failed.Looking back not a bad thing to fail as it taught me that you must give 100% effort at all times.

Re-took 1st DAN in November 1998 and failed again on a poor knife self defence technique, but was awarded novice black belt. Took 1st DAN again in early 1999 and this time passed. Took snd DAN in Brazil in 2002 and passed, but it took a lot of hard work and effort.

Was awarded 3rd Dan by the Curtiba Military Police Wado Ryu team again in Brazil. Sustained a major ankle ligament injury in 2004 which stopped me training for nearly 8 months. On my ruturn to the Dojo I found that they had changed to sports karate, and that is why I thought it was time to look for another club!

Steve is a Cobra Class 1 istructor