SUNDERLAND KARATE ACADEMY.

Home of Shotokan and Brithai Karate in Sunderland

Sensei Derek Laing- Chief Instructor of Sunderland Karate Academy.

 

  • 4th Dan Shotokan Karate.
  • 1st Dan Brithai Karate Kai.
  • 1st Dan Modern Combat Karate.
  • BNMAA Honorary member.
  • MASTARR Instructor Diploma.
  • MASTARR Coaching Diploma.
  • MASTARR Tutor/Assessors/Verifiers Diploma
  • MASTARR Health and Safety Diploma.
  • MASTARR Child Protection Diploma.
  • MASTARR General Refereeing Diploma.
  • TASK Kata Tatami Chief.
  • TASK Kumite Referee Class A.

  • BNMAA Technical Executive.

  • BNMAA Grading Officer.

  • BBI Executive Member.

Derek Laing started Karate in May 1993 under Sensei Damian Kirby (AMA). He trained up to 3rd Kyu but moved away from the area in October 1994. He then trained under Sensei Norman Kay (NAKMAS) and made 1st Dan in December 1996.

He started his first karate club in July 1998 at the local martial arts gym. He called this club Kushanku-Ryu Karate School. When the martial arts gym closed down the following year he moved the club to Lambton St. Fellowship Centre and renamed the club Lambton St. Karate Kai.

 In April 2000 Derek passed his 2nd Dan in Shotokan Karate by the grading panel of the Independent Federation of Martial Arts headed by Sensei George Coates. Lambton St. Karate Kai joined Karate International/ TradKA-UK in June 2003 and with the help of Sensei Steve Leak and Sensei Jim Reece formed Sunderland Karate Academy. In January 2004 he opened his 2nd club called Redhouse Karate Kai.

Sensei Derek Laing passed his 3rd Dan in March 2004 by the grading panel of Karate International headed by Sensei Peter Clarke and Sensei Steve Leak. In July 2006 S.K.A. Instructor Sensei Steve Colvin opened his first club with the help of Sensei Derek Laing. The club is called Southwick Karate Kai and becomes the 3rd Sunderland Karate Academy School in the area. The following month Sunderland Karate Academy became a direct member of the British National Martial Arts Association and Black Belt International.

Town End Karate Kai opened in July 2007 to become the 4th school to fall under the S.K.A. banner a great example of the growth and success of the academy.

In May 2008 Sensei Derek Laing was awarded his 4th Dan for contribution to Martial Arts by Sensei Paul Griffin (BNMAA) at the Gala Dinner held at the Hilton Hotel, Bradford. A very proud moment for Sensei Laing.

Sensei John Welsh- Lambton St. Karate Kai.

  • Honorary 4th Dan Shotokan Karate awarded by Taisho-Do Karate.
  • Bukonkai Karate International Qualifications in Coaching and Instructing.
  • Sunderland Karate Academy Kata Coach.

Sensei John Welsh began his training in 1970 at Sunderland Martial arts Academy. He attained 1st Dan in 1978 and became an instructor for the club. In 1990 the club left the K.U.G.B. and joined Bukonkai Karate International. After setting his own karate career aside, for a number of years to concentrate on his students, he was asked by the association to attempt his 2nd Dan grading in 1994. After some persuasion he did and passed with flying colours. He finally retired from Karate in 2000.

 

A year later he asked if he could train at a club that had just opened in his area. After a couple of months with the club he was asked by the instructor if he would consider teaching again and he agreed. The club was called Lambton St. Karate Kai. Sensei John Welsh has been involved with Karate for over 35 years and has become a valuable member of Sunderland Karate Academy.

 

 

Sensei Steve Colvin- Southwick Karate Kai.

  • 3rd Dan Shotokan Karate.
  • MASTARR Instructing Diploma. 
  •  MASTARR Coaching Diploma.
  • MASTARR Health and Safety Diploma.
  • MASTARR Child Protection Diploma.
  • MASTARR General Refereeing Diploma.
  • TASK Kata Judge Class A.
  • TASK Kumite Judge Class A.

Stephen Colvin started practicing Karate-Do in early 1993 under Sensei Norman Kay (N.A.K.M.A.S.) and achieved the rank of  4th Kyu.  He moved from that club to train under Sensei Derek Robson (I.F.M.A) in July 1995.  Under his guidance and help Stephen Colvin achieved the rank 1st Dan in December 1997.

 

After a leave of absence due to exam and further education commitments he returned to Karate in July 2004 under Sensei Derek Laing the Chief Instructor of Sunderland Karate Academy.  On August 12th 2005 Sensei Stephen Colvin was officially recognised as a MASTARR qualified coach and instructor.  On November 12th 2005 Sensei Stephen Colvin passed the grade of 2nd Dan under Sensei Steve Leak, Sensei Derek Laing, and Sensei John Welsh.

 

With The help of Sensei Derek Laing and Sunderland Karate Academy Sensei Colvin opened his first club in June 2006. On Saturday 6th December 2008 Sensei Colvin passed his 3rd Dan under Sensei Enrico Capaldi, Sensei Mark Raistrick and Sensei Derek Laing.

 

 

Sensei Dorothy Leach - Hylton Castle Karate Kai.

  • 2nd Dan Shotokan Karate.
  • MASTARR Instructor Diploma.
  • MASTARR Coaching Diploma.
  • MASTARR Health and Safety Diploma.
  • MASTARR Child Protection Diploma.
  • MASTARR General Refereeing Diploma.
  • TASK Kata Judge Class A.
  • TASK Kumite Judge Class A.

     

Dorothy Leach started Karate in January 1998 under Sensei Damian Kirby (AMA). She had been involved with Gudo Nishijima Karate Club for a number of years following the careers of her two daughters before finally agreeing to train for herself. Dorothy reached the grade of 1st Dan three and a half years later.

 

In January 2002 she joined Toh-Kon Karate Club under Sensei Peter McGaririty (AMA), during this time she assisted the club team in many competitions around the country with great success.

 

After a leave of absence Dorothy returned to Karate in 2006 joining Redhouse Karate Kai (S.K.A.). After a year Sensei Derek Laing asked if she would consider studying to become a qualified Instructor, she agreed and in September 2007 Dorothy passed all the modules needed to become an Instructor. Dorothy Leach now teaches at Hylton Castle Karate Kai. In November 2008 Sensei Dorothy Leach passed her 2nd Dan in Shotokan Karate.