Club Information

HISTORY

Graham McCann

Sensei Graham McCann (5th Dan), our Chief Instructor, opened the first of the Kugatsu Karate-Do’s two dojo on the 6th September 1995. Having taught karate for a number of years and after being encouraged by his then instructor, Sensei Robert Lamb (Principal Instructor – Tosa-Kochi Karate-Do), Graham decided to open his own karate club. After searching for a suitable location for the club, Graham decided to locate it in the hall used by the 157th (Glasgow) Scouts, in the Kelvindale area of Glasgow’s west end. The Kelvindale dōjō remains the Kugatsu Karate-Do’s main dōjō, with five classes being taught each week.

The Kugatsu Karate-Dō was originally known as Tosa-Kochi Karate-Dō (Kelvindale), demonstrating the link between the club and our then association the Tosa-Kochi Karate-Dō, Scotland. Within a few months of the club opening, and at the request of Sensei Lamb who was concerned about the name of the club and the association being confused, Graham decided to change the name of the club. After considering hundreds of potential names for the club, Graham settled for the Japanese word / phrase “Ku-gatsu”, (九月) which roughly translated means “9th Month” or September, recognising the month in which the club first opened its doors.

Over the years, the Kugatsu Karate-Dō has gone from strength to strength in terms of the number of students choosing to learn Shūkōkai Karate at the Kugatsu. From the initial 25 students who turned up on the first night, the number of students grew to over 45 by the end of the first year, 75 by the end of the second, and almost 100 by the end of the third.

Karate-ka

In the summer of 1996 Graham and the Kugatsu Karate-Dō left the Tosa-Kochi Karate-Dō as he felt it was in the best interests of the club and its students. Later that year, the Kugatsu Karate-Dō joined the British All Styles Karate Association (B.A.S.K.A) under the instruction of Shihan Greg Wallace (8th Dan). Until March 2009, we remained active members of B.A.S.K.A. participating in association courses and competitions on a regular basis.

After a lengthy period of discussion and consideration Graham along with Sensei Billy Haggarty (Kokusai Karate Kai) and Sensei Bobby Morton (Ardeer Karate Club) decided that it was in the best interests of their respective clubs and students to leave B.A.S.K.A. and form their own association within the Scottish Karate Governing Body – Karate Kai Scotland. Graham is the current chairperson of the Karate Kai Scotland.

On the 1st February 2000 Sensei Carol Clark, with the support of the Kugatsu Karate-Dō, opened our first “branch club” in Yoker Sports Centre, Glasgow. The Yoker Dōjō, under Carol’s guidance, evolved into an integral part of the Kugatsu Karate-Dō, and offered a weekly class for our junior members. Unfortunately, after more than five years Carol reluctantly had to close her club due to securing a job promotion that resulted in her moving from Yoker Sports Centre.

Ceilidh

Graham opened what was then our third dōjō in St. Thomas Aquinas School, in the Jordanhill / Scotstoun area of Glasgow, on the 6th November 2000. Due to the re-building program at St. Thomas Aquinas School, the Jordanhill / Scotstoun Dōjō had to relocate to Scotstoun Leisure Centre where the clubs continues to teach regular classes to adults and children, alike.

STUDENTS

The Kugatsu Karate-Dō welcomes students of all ages and abilities. Providing that you are of school age or older (there is no upper limit) and there are no medical or other reasons why you should not participate in a karate class then why not give it a go.

New members are welcome to join us throughout the year. We do not have classes specifically for beginners, new members are welcomed onto all of our classes, where the activities will be tailored to meet their individual needs.

One of the aims central to the Kugatsu Karate-Dō is that students train because they want to and because they enjoy it. In addition, we also aim to create an atmosphere where by students feel that they can contribute to the running of the club (by providing constructive feedback), they feel supported and that they feel part of the Kugatsu Karate-Dō.

A children's class

At the Kugatsu Karate-Dō, students are offered the opportunity to train in both Traditional Shukokai Karate and Sport Karate. It should be noted, that there is no expectation that students participate in Sport Karate, i.e. the competitive side of karate.

The Kugatsu Karate-Dō implements the Scottish Karate Governing Body Child Protection Policy.

STUDENT OF THE YEAR

Since the club was established in 1995, the Kugatsu Karate-Dō instructors have selected one of the junior members to be presented with the annual “Student of the Year” award.

Current Student of the Year 2010

The award is presented to the student who has consistently demonstrated commitment to both their training and the Kugatsu Karate-Dō, and who has stood out from their fellow juniors. Obviously this is not an easy decision, as a result a number of runners up awards are normally given to the students who were in the running for the award.

The Kugatsu Karate-Dō “Student of the Year” is normally presented at club social event, for example an open day or a family ceilidh.

The current “Student of the Year” is Eric Woodward (pictured below) with the student of the year shield and trophy), the award having been presented for his continued support for the Kugatsu Karate-Dō.

A TYPICAL CLASS

All classes at the Kugatsu Karate-Do are designed to be appropriate to all ages and grades; each class will always begin with a light cardiovascular warm-up and stretching session.

Classes will then be structured to include a selection of the following activities;

• Basics techniques (Kihon).
• Combinations (Shukokai and advanced free-style).
• Impact pad-work.
• Focus pad-work.
• Kata (Forms).
• Kumite (Sparring), both pre-arranged and free form.
• Self-defence.
• Karate orientated stamina and fitness work.

Generally speaking, most classes will contain the practice of basic techniques, impact pad-work, kata and kumite to a greater or lesser extent. Over a period of four weeks or so, students can expect to cover all of the above providing that they train on a regular basis.

A typical class

Like most physical activities, the more a student practices the quicker they learn and improve on their technique, fitness, skill and knowledge. It is recommended that students train (where possible and practical) a minimum of twice per week.

Please note that given the physical nature of karate training, there is a risk that students may sustain an occasional injury.

EQUIPMENT

I am interested in starting karate, what do I need to wear?
There is no need to go out and buy yourself a karate suit before you start training. At the Kugatsu Karate-Dō, we are keen to ensure that our students and prospective students do not waste their money. If you would like to join in with one of our classes, all that you require to wear is a t-shirt and a pair of jogging trousers or similar.
I am sure that karate is for me, what equipment do I require?
Once you are sure that karate is for you, then you should think about buying yourself a karate-gi (suit) and a pair of sparring mitts. Students can obtain both from the Kugatsu Karate-Dō at extremely competitive prices or they can buy them from a sports retailer or martial arts equipment supplier.

Do I require any other equipment?
At the Kugatsu Karate-Dō, students are encouraged to wear a variety of additional protective equipment during kumite (sparring) practice, i.e.

• Groin guard (male & female).
• Chest guard (females).
• Gum shield.
• Shin and / or instep protectors.

All other training equipment, i.e. impact pads, etc., are generally supplied by the Kugatsu Karate-Dō. However, students are welcome to obtain their own if desired. As with karate-gi and sparring mitts, all equipment can be purchased from the Kugatsu Karate-Dō.

COMPETITION KARATE AT THE KUGATSU KARATE-DŌ

At the Kugatsu Karate-Dō, students have the opportunity to participate in the sporting or competitive aspect of karate. Our students regularly participate in local and national karate competitions throughout the United Kingdom. Recent events entered include;

• The Commonwealth Karate Federation British Championships.
• The British Karate Federation British Championships.
• The Scottish Karate Governing Body Scottish Championships.
• The Karate Kai Scotland Championships.
• The Scottish Karate Open Championships.
• The B.I.K.O. British Open.
• The Scottish Karate Grand Prix.
• The Cumbria Open.
• The Malta Four Nations Championships.

Jon

Our students compete in both Kumite (sparring) and Kata (forms) events, and regularly attend competition orientated training sessions at club, association and national level. In addition, the Kugatsu Karate-Do also arranges courses with top competition karate-ka. For example with Jonathan Mottram (Commonwealth Kata Champion and European Bronze medallist 2008) and Leon Walters, the WKF World Heavyweight Kumite Champion 2002 and silver medallist 2004.

Our Chief Instructor, Sensei Graham McCann, is currently the Karate Kai Scotland Kata Coach and a British Karate Federation Kumite Referee and Kata Judge.

Kata - Podium

The Kugatsu Karate-Do also organises a closed competition for its junior members, i.e. The Kugatsu Karate-Dō Junior Championships. Our junior championships have been running since 2000, and is the highlight of our junior members’ year. Fortunately, we have managed to secure sponsorship for the event from local businesses and as a result, our students are competing for around £2000 worth of trophies.

GRADINGS

The Kugatsu Karate-Dō, like most karate clubs and associations, requires its students to sit a grading (or practical examination) in order to progress through the belt structure. We have an established grading syllabus (a copy can be found in the Members’ Area) which is reviewed on a regular basis. Generally speaking, before sitting their grading students must satisfy a number of pre-determined criteria;

• they have have the required number of attendances
• the minimum time interval between gradings, and
• they have the approval of their instructor (we do not like to set students up to fail!!)

Outlined below are the basic requirements for students to progress through the Kugatsu Karate-Dō belt structure.

SUCCESSES

Under Construction

SOCIAL EVENTS

Although the Kugatsu Karate-Dō is primarily a karate club, there is also a social side to our activities. We regularly organise a variety of social activities for our members and friends of the club, the purpose being to both enjoy ourselves and on occasion to raise funds in support of our members.

These include;

• An Annual Family Ceilidh.
• Family Discos.
• “Adult Only” nights.
• Christmas Party for our Junior Members.
• “Annual meal for our Senior Member