ABOUT
ABOUT OUR SENSEI
Gary started karate at the age of 14 in 1974. He was awarded Senpai brown belt at the age of 18, he then went on to attain black belt, graded by the late Japanese Grandmaster Sensei Kimura, one of the founders of Shukokai karate.
Gary trained with one of the best club sides in the UK, the late Sensei Eddie Daniels from Birmingham, a world chief instructor. Gary gained great fighting experience in the 6 months he attended the Sunday Kumite classes, he brought back valuable skills to the Northampton club and was a regular member and team student of Northampton Shukokai.
Gary has gained honors inworld, British, national, and regional events as well as gaining many club medals and honorary trophies throughout the years. Although Gary is passionate about all the traditional aspects of karate, he stresses that the most important part of learning karate is self-defense, he believes through years of experience that students should be taught good discipline and etiquette and when they show that they will go on to be a great karate practitioner.
01
Learn Self Defence
Self defence is important to learn as it provides the tools and confidence in facing up to threats and violence with less fear.
02
Build Confidence
Karate helps Develop your confidence and helps build more confidence in other area’s of life like work or other sports etc
03
Improve Fitness
Karate helps improve your health, fitness, and stamina in a safe and effective way.
04
Develop Character
It’s important to build character as it governs our gifts and talents, if we don’t build good character it can spiral out of control and destroy us.
CLASSES
OUR CLUB SESSIONS
MIXED GROUP SUNDAY SESSION
EVERY SUNDAY 11.00AM - 12.15PM
Our mixed group session runs every Sunday from 11 am to 12.15 pm. All ages and abilities are welcome from age 5 and above. Class led by Sensei Gary Cosford. Refreshments available.
MID WEEK LESSONS
ASK FOR AVAILABILITY
Get in touch to ask about the availability of our mid-week lessons or enquire about private one-to-one tuition.
CLUB FEES
MEMBERSHIP PRICING
Pay as You Go
CHILD – £6 PER LESSON
ADULT (18+) – £8 PER LESSON
PAY MONTHLY
CHILD – £20 / MONTH
ADULT (18+) – £25 / MONTH
Mid-week lessons
£15 PER HOUR
PHOTO GALLERY
RED KARATE PHOTOS
FAQS
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
What is the minimum starting age?
The minimum starting age is 5 years old, one adult can accompany the child free of charge for the first 8 weeks.
Is there a maximum age?
No, there is no maximum age for karate as long as you are fit and able you can continue to train into your later life.
Do I need any experience?
Absolutely no experience is required, we happily welcome levels of all levels of ability and experience.
Do I need a certain level of fitness?
Whilst beneficial to have some level of fitness, this is not a starting requirement as we will work on improving your fitness and stamina at your own pace over a period of time.
Are there any additional costs?
There are no additional costs for the first 8 weeks of training. This gives you a chance to try karate and be sure it’s for you. After 8 weeks you will need a karate Gi (karate suit) and a license. A starter Gi can be purchased through the club at a discounted price of approx £12-15. The license is then £30 per year.
How often are gradings?
When you train twice a week, it is generally 3-4 months between gradings, and 6 months for senior grades, this can, however, depend upon your ability.
What do I need to wear?
For the first 8 weeks, we recommend you wear light, comfortable, and airy clothes, such as a light t-shirt and tracksuit bottoms. After 8 weeks you will be expected to wear a karate Gi (karate suit).
Can I come along to watch a session?
Yes, you are more than welcome to come along to watch any of our sessions and engage with the club instructor(s) before and after training.
“I chose to train with Northants Shukokai Karate because I had previously practiced the same style and loved everything about it. I moved across the county for my job and wanted to find somewhere to train and I was really pleased to find this club. Sensei Gary Cosford is a great instructor and has a lot of patience with his students and gives up a lot of his time to help us to improve. He offers one-on-one tuition and also free booster lessons before a grading, to make sure everyone is at the best of their ability. His passion for the art of karate helps to drive and inspire me. The lessons are structured and I learn a lot from them, but they are also fun – Karate is a great hobby to have! It teaches students about respect, discipline, drive and determination and getting to learn all of that while doing a sport I love couldn’t be better.”
STEPHANIE STEWARD
“I joined around 3 years ago and from day 1 I really enjoyed it (apart from a few aches and pains from being unfit the next day). The training is serious but fun, our instructor is very helpful, patient, and very good at what he does. I’ve found my fitness level had improved greatly within the first 6 months due to the training, and my confidence has also grown. I would definitely recommend anybody who is thinking of taking up martial arts or self-defence to try this club first, as like myself I am sure you would not be disappointed.”
Susie Spencer
"To win 100 victories in 100 battles is not the highest skill,to subdue the enemy without fighting is the highest skill"
CLUB MOTTO
CONTACT
GET IN TOUCH
SEND MESSAGE
CONTACT INFO
If you have any questions at all please get in touch using either the form on this page, call or email using the details below – we would love to hear from you!
07456 329 800
hello@northantskarate.co.uk