ABOUT KOKORO SHOTOKAN KARATE CLUB
Kokoro Shotokan Karate Club have classes at the Isabella Community Centre in Blyth and East Hartford Community Centre in Cramlington.
​
The two dojos, originally founded in 1997 and 1973, 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. Karate training can develop positive life skills valuable for good citizenship, including confidence, teamwork and respect.
​
The club is taught by Sensei Dylan Gibson, 4th Dan and Sensei Gemma Gibson, 3rd Dan. Both instructors are enhanced DBS checked and hold senior administartive positions in the Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB). They were members of the KUGB England Squad from 2012/2014 until 2022, and regularly travel across the country to train, coach students in competitions and support the KUGB at regional and national events.
​
We have built a community around the club and have a voluntary committee who support the club and provide opportunities for club members. We have classes for both children and adults and enjoy seeing our club members training as a family activity. In 2023, we were awarded the Sports Award of the Year by Cramlington Town Council. In 2024 we were presented with an award by the High Sheriff of Northumberland, and the club was awarded the 'Sports Achievement of the Year' award at the Best of Northumberland Awards Ceremony in 2024.
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.
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.
​
Gradings are conducted by appointed Senior KUGB Examiners; this helps maintain a uniform National standard, and allows our club members to train and grade with the most senior instructors in the country.
MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS
Sensei Dylan Gibson has been a qualified Instructor since 2015 and a member of the KUGB England Squad for over 10 years, and is a qualified KUGB Assessor
Sensei Dylan Gibson
4th Dan
Sensei Gemma Gibson has been a qualified Instructor since 2017 and a member of the KUGB England Squad for 9 years, and is a qailified KUGB Judge.
3rd Dan
Sensei Gemma Gibson
CONTACT US
07587 166 997 | kokorokaratekugb@gmail.com
Blyth Isabella Centre, Ogle Drive, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 5JF
East Hartford Community Centre, Institute Buildings, Scott St, East Hartford, Cramlington Northumberland, NE23 6YB