Welcome to the official website of Staffordshire University KDS.
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 clubs are run for the benefit of the members.
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 however 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.
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)