2021 Yearly Overview
January
As we entered another lockdown, we returned to online training on Zoom.
February
As we entered another lockdown, we returned to online training on Zoom.
March
As we entered another lockdown, we returned to online training on Zoom.
April
We started training outdoors this month, and later in the month our under 18s were able to return to indoor training.
Members of the club attended the KUGB Easter Course on Zoom.
May
We returned to indoor training for all ages at North Seaton Community Centre as Covid restrictions continued to ease.
We held a grading at the club with Sensei Frank Brennan, 8th Dan. Congratulations to everyone who graded to their next belt.
The KUGB held their first Dan gradings since Covid. Charlotte Reason, Callum Caldwell, Katie Knox and Georgie Lawrence who passed Shodan (1st Dan), Denny Shy who passed Nidan (2nd Dan) and Gemma Gibson who passed Sandan (3rd Dan) in Sunderland.
June
We returned to training at our permanent dojo of Ashington Leisure Centre.
We held our 13th Annual Karate on the Beach event at Blyth Beach which had its highest turnout to date.
July
We were finally able to return to full contact training without any Covid restrictions for the first time since March 2020!
The first in-person KUGB England Squad sessions since Covid were held in Liverpool, with Dylan Gibson and Denny Shy attending the Kata Squad, and Gemma Gibson attending the Kumite Squad.
August
Ehsan Baniyaghoob passed his KUGB Instructor Theory Test.
September
Nick Sandeman passed his KUGB Instructor Theory Test.
Students from the club competed in the KUGB National Championships, the first competition to take place since Covid. Congratulations to Dylan, Gemma and Evie who placed 4th in Team Kata.
Sensei Frank Brennan judged our Summer Holiday Photograph Competition and chose Charlotte Reason as the winner and Joel Pollard as the runner up.
October
Student of the Month: Emmie-Ann Henderson
Students from the club competed in the KUGB Shotokan Cup. Congratulations to Denny Shy who placed 1st in Kata, Charlotte who placed 3rd in Kata, and Gemma who placed 3rd in Kumite.
Students from the club competed in the KUGB Northern Region Championships. Congratulations to Denny Shy who placed 2nd in Kata, Dylan, Gemma and Evie who placed 2nd in Team Kata, Dylan Gibson who placed 3rd in Kata, Gemma Gibson who placed 3rd in Kumite, Gemma, Evie, Georgie and Krysia who placed 3rd in Team Kumite, and Alethea Caldwell who placed 4th in Kata
November
Student of the Month: Adam Jobson
Students from the club competed in the KUGB National Youth Championships. Congratulations to Denny Shy who placed 1st in Kata.
Matthew Moody and Gabby Torres passed their Shodan (1st Dan) and Joel Pollard and Ehsan Baniyaghoob passed their Nidan (2nd Dan) gradings in Sunderland.
Nick Sandeman achieved his KUGB Instructor Qualification and Eshan Baniyaghoob achieved his KUGB Assistant Instructor Qualification.
We held a grading at the club with Sensei Garry Harford, 8th Dan. Congratulations to everyone who graded to their next belt.
December
Student of the Month: Zoe Young
We held our Christmas Party and Presentation Evening. Denny Shy was awarded Best Overall Senior, Liam Moody was awarded Best Overall Junior, Matthew Moody was awarded Most Improved Senior, Thomas Blackburn was awarded Most Improved Junior, and Katie Knox was awarded Best Overall Attendance