Welcome to the website of the official Staffordshire University K.D.S. Karate club.
The KDS (Karate-Do Shotokai) is an organisation committed to practicing and teaching Karate-do as taught by Mitsusuke Harada Sensei. We are a non-profit making organisation and all instructors make no personal financial gain from instruction, clubs are run for the benefit of the members and any monies received are channelled back into the club.
Whilst no financial gain is made by any instructor there is professionalism in the manner in which the coaching is undertaken and in which the classes are run. All instructors are fully qualified, fully insured, hold first aid qualifications and have full enhanced CRB disclosure.
Our practice offers something different to potential students when compared to the majority of other styles as the KDS has not embraced the sport karate or competition developments that have occurred in recent decades; instead, we remain true to the original teachings of Karate-do as Funakoshi O'Sensei had wished. We also feel that competition in karate (contrary to other physical activities) stifles research and technical improvement and results in a mere show bearing no relation to reality. There are therefore no "points" to be scored or plastic trophies to be won in the KDS.
Our practice does involve kumite (sparring) at an appropriate level for a given individual's experience. Our aim is to learn the martial art of karate that is effective in a real situation.
The training sessions are for adults only and enable members to reach their full potential in a friendly, learning environment. The club is open to both students and members of the general public and can cater for experienced practitioners as well as complete beginners.
We run an annual weekend national course at Staffordshire University and members will also have the opportunity to travel represent the University at many of the national courses held all over the UK and sometimes overseas.
You don't have to be fit to start karate and we are careful to allow each person to work at their own optimum fitness level and slowly build up from there.
We run regular beginners courses so please feel free to come along to one of our sessions or to contact me anytime for further information. Just click on the contact link in the menu bar.
I look forward to training with you in the future!
Best wishes,
Mark Hallam- 5th Dan
(Senior Instructor)