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Gourock Karate Club
The club is run from St. Bartholomews Hall, the "Tin-Tab" as it is known locally, which is situated in Binnie Lane. The town of Gourock lies on the River Clyde on the West Coast of Scotland. The senior instructor is David Gillies a 3rd Dan black belt with the Karate Union of Great Britain and the Japan Karate Association. |
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August 1984
The club was formed by David Gillies and friend and fellow black belt Ian Pow. The new club was very popular from the outset with a large intake of male and female students of all ages. A change of employment saw Ian leave the club and move to England only two years later and David has run the club himself ever since. This photograph was taken on 21st May 1983, 3 months after achieving their black belts. |
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Affiliation
Originally the club was affiliated to the Karate Union of Scotland. In June of 1988 the club affiliated to the Karate Union of Great Britain, an organization which is run for the benefit of it's members, is expertly managed and has a wealth of highly experienced world class instructors. Many of these instructors have taught at the club over the years, including; Sensei Keinosuke Enoeda, 9th Dan (1935 to 2003)
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Sensei Andy Sherry, 8th Dan
is the chief instructor to the KUGB. He was the KUGB's first Kata champion in 1967, and the next year, 1968, he became the first Grand Champion by winning both the Kata and Kumite events. He first won the EAKF European Kumite title in 1968. |
Sensei Terry O'Neill, 7th Dan
Former British champion and one of the most spectacular and exciting fighters ever. He is now pursuing a career in acting and can be seen in many films and dramas starring alongside such accomplished actors as Arnold Schwarzenegger. |
Sensei Bob Rhodes, 7th Dan
Member of the British squad who beat Japan to win the World Championships in Long Beach, California in 1975. |
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Sensei Frank Brennan, 7th Dan
has now retired from competition with a record which is unsurpassed. 10 times KUGB Grand Champion. Twice European Grand Champion. 1992 World Shotokan Karate Association Kata Champion. Sensei Brennan teaches regularly at Gourock Karate Club, including special courses and 4 gradings each year. Believed by many to be one of the worlds best Karate-Ka, we consider ourselves extremely fortunate to train under such a renowned instructor! The late Master Nakayama (chief instructor to the Japan Karate Association) recognised his outstanding contribution to the art of Karate by the presentation of a special award in 1980. |
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Charities
Over the years Gourock Karate Club members
have organized many fund raising events
to help several charities including,
Age Concern
Save the Children
International Spinal Research
Action and Research for Multiple Sclerosis
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Scottish Honours
In April 1989 David gained his 2nd Dan under Sensei Enoeda, 8th Dan. Due to his success in the Scottish Championships he was also chosen to represent his country at the prestigious Nakayama Cup in Paris, France, a European Championship with only the top two male and female competitors from each country taking part. David gained 5th equal place in the Kata event, narrowly missing the medal positions. |
National Recognition
In April 1992 David travelled to Birmingham, England, and was successful in gaining his 3rd Dan under Sensei Enoeda, 8th Dan and Sensei Sherry, 7th Dan. In 1994 at the Scottish Championships in Clydebank David became Scottish Kata Champion after being runner-up for the previous 3 years. Later that year he was invited to be the Kata Coach for the Scottish region, a position which he held for the next 2 years. |
| First Junior Black Belt | |
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Steven Gillies (David's nephew) having joined the club on his 7th birthday became the club's first junior black belt on 11th December 1994 only 2 months after his 10th birthday. Just 2 years later (age 12) he became the 1996 Scottish Childrens Kata Champion. 3 years later (age 15) he became the 1999 Scottish Childrens Kata Champion. He is still the club's youngest member to achieve black belt! |
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Erskine Karate Club
The club was started in February 1997 by instructors David Gillies, Grant Brown & Joe Wilkin. Classes were held in Barsail Primary School & Park Mains High School. Craig Turner at age 12 years was the club's first black belt who passed his grading on 24th March 2001 under Sensei Andy Sherry 7th Dan. Unfortunately, due to a lack of members, the club held it's last class on Wednesday 10th April 2002 and after 5 years is now closed. |
Greenock Karate Club
The club was started in September 1999 by instructors David Gillies & Grant Brown. Classes were held in the Greenock Waterfront Leisure Centre. Jamie Alexander at age 10 years was the club's first black belt who passed his grading on 26th October 2002 under Sensei Enoeda 8th Dan & Sensei Sherry 7th Dan. Unfortunately, due to a lack of members, the club held it's last class on Friday 11th April 2003 and after nearly 4 years is now closed. |
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Competition
Gourock have had many successes throughout the years including many Scottish Champions in individual and team events in the various disciplines of Shotokan Karate. KUGB National Championships On 24th April 2004 Graeme MacAulay became the first person from the club to reach the finals of the nationals. Graeme took 2nd place in the boys over 5 feet 5 inches kumite. |
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The Future
David's ambition for the clubs is the continued success of it's students and the improvement of the quality of instruction on offer through his own study and dedication to K.U.G.B. Shotokan Karate. Several clubs representing various styles of Martial Arts have appeared locally during Gourock Karate Club's "reign" but none have lasted very long and no doubt a strong contributing factor to this has been the high standard and excellent reputation of the club. |
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phone
01475-784090 |
mobile
07935 265 659 |
Gourock Karate Club
St. Bartholomew's Hall - Binnie Lane (off King St.) Gourock