122nd Club Grading and 122 pass their grade

Wellingborough SKC England is currently SKCE’s oldest established Club and during its 38 years has held 122 Club Gradings for its members including those from its associated Clubs in Kettering and Peterborough.  On Saturday the latest grading quite coincidently produced 122 passes which is their highest amount ever.

Gerry Grey, the Club’s Principal Instructor and also Chairman of SKC England said “It’s quite normal for SKCE Clubs in London to have much larger numbers grading but it was only 2 years ago that we considered 30 passes very good!  I think this immense fourfold increase is indicative of SKCE’s fresh and enlightened approach to teaching only the best standard of Shotokan Karate, particularly children.  SKC England ethos is to encourage and be more considerate of Children’s needs”.

Eric Pich 6th Dan and one of SKCE Senior Instructors and Co-Technical Director who took the gradings said “The tremendous expansion we have seen here today is typical of our experiences in our largest Clubs in London and proves our approach to teaching children is the correct way, it is also very good to see how well these Club’s outside of London are doing”. 

Co-examiner, Senior Instructor and Co-Technical Director Peter Welsh 6th Dan said “In the past the Japanese hard doctrines were just totally unsuitable for children and for many adults, so our alternative method is definitely working as seen by the good standards the many children displayed today in achieving their new grades”.

“Today children of all ages, the youngest was 4, and as many girls as boys, showed that Karate can be for everyone and for all ages and genders providing it is properly and considerately taught as we do in all of our training dojo’s.  I am hopeful that amongst those grading today we may find future champions following the fine example set by our young team at the recent World Championships in Germany, whilst many others will go on to learn good quality Shotokan karate in their SKCE Clubs, which they then pass on to others” responded Gerry.  “I am very proud of what our Club has achieved in such a small period of time since we established SKC England just 2 years ago.

Everyone is welcome to come and join our association and they can visit our website at www.skc-england.co.uk for details of their nearest Club.