ABOUT OUR KARATE CLUBS
Welcome to Kokoro Shotokan Karate Club! We have classes in Blyth and Cramlington. Our Blyth Dojo was established in 1997, is based at the Isabella Community Centre and has been taught by the current club instructors since 2019. Our Cramlington Dojo was established in 1973, is based at Concordia Leisure Centre and has been taught by the current club instructors since 2021.
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The two clubs were brought together under the banner of Kokoro in 2022. Kokoro is a Japanese word meaning ‘Heart, Mind and Spirit’, which represents the benefits Karate can have on mental health and wellbeing.
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The club is taught by Sensei Dylan Gibson, 4th Dan and Sensei Gemma Gibson, 3rd Dan. Both instructors are enhanced DBS checked, members of the KUGB England Squad and regularly train and compete across the country.
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We have a small, friendly club and are proud of all our students for their dedication to the club. We enjoy seeing our club members training as a family activity.
ABOUT KARATE AND THE KUGB
We are affiliated to the Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB). The KUGB is a democratic body controlled by its membership and operates under an approved constitution.
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The KUGB has currently around 7,000 male and female members of all ages, several hundred of whom enjoy special Long-Standing Membership status, having trained with the KUGB for between twenty and forty five years.
There are two aspects to the practice of Karate, Karate Jitsu and Karate Do. Jitsu is the physical aspect, the practice of the blocks, punches and kicks etc. "Do" is the cultural aspect and concerns the development of character in areas such as self-discipline, self-control, self-confidence and respect for oneself and others.The KUGB also puts great emphasis on the Do aspect, and always aims to produce students who have high standards in both these areas.
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Gradings are conducted by appointed Senior KUGB Examiners; this helps maintain a uniform National standard and allows club instructors to interact with the most Senior KUGB Karateka.
MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS
Sensei Dylan Gibson has been a qualified Instructor since 2015 and a member of the KUGB England Squad since 2012.
Sensei Dylan Gibson
4th Dan
Sensei Gemma Gibson has been a qualified Instructor since 2017 and a member of the KUGB England Squad since 2014.
3rd Dan
Sensei Gemma Gibson
CONTACT US
07587 166 997 | kokorokaratekugb@gmail.com
Blyth Isabella Centre, Ogle Drive, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 5JF
Concordia Leisure Centre,Forum Way, Manor Walks Shopping Centre, Cramlington, Northumberland, NE23 6YB