Member Associations
Ulster Karate Association
The Ulster Karate Association studies the Wadoryu style of karate. The association was formed in 1981 when the Brooke Park (L/Derry), and the Ballybofey Karate Dojo's left the Irish Karate Federation. Whilst the association has had its origins in the North West of Ireland, it has over the years opened dojo's in Belfast, Ballymena, Dromore, Holywood, Castlederg and Carrickfergus as well as maintaining Ballybofey (Twin Towns), in the Rep. of Ireland. The UKA presently has five dojo's.The Ulster Karate Association is a founder member of The Northern Ireland Karate Board as well as The Ulster Karate Council, and works with The Sports Council for N. Ireland, Coaching NI and Sports Coach UK.
The Ulster Karate Association teaches traditional Wadoryu karate and uses the traditional Wadoryu grading syllabus as used worldwide. All dojo's have a minimum of one qualified Black Belt instructor and a qualified Coach. All instructors hold professional indemnity insurance cover and are certified in First Aid. All dojo members hold individual member to member insurance cover. All members are licenced and licences hold a personal record of each individuals achievement.
Whilst the association is rooted in traditional karate Budo it does, however, encourage all of its members to participate in sport karate competitions as well. The Ulster Karate Association is the most successful sport karate association in N. Ireland with its members winning Northern Irish, British and European Championships as well as winning medals at World Championship level. The Ulster Karate Association has been represented on the N. Ireland team since 1981. Terence Boyle 5th Dan and UKA Chief Instructor is an international Senior Referee and one of the five member World Karate Confederation Referee Committee. He has recently played a leading role in amending the WKC Rules of Tournament Karate and is a Referee examiner at both the European and World Championships. All clubs are equipped with competition training mats.
The Ulster Karate Association teaches discipline and respect for others through karate and also encourages families. The Ulster Karate Association welcomes members of all communities and is a non profit making organisation. Back to top
Carnlea Wado
Carnalea Wado Kai was founded in the Carnalea Methodist Centre on the Rathmore Road, Bangor by David and Angela Brashaw on Saturday 30 April 1994. At the time David was a second dan black belt in wado ryu karate, was ranked 7th in the world Wado International Karate-do Federation (WIKF) championships and was the Chairman of WIKF in Northern Ireland. He had also trained for four years in Tia Jitsu. Angela was a 3rd kyu brown belt, which she had earned after four years in Higashi. On 22 October 1994 they were joined by Kevin and Sam Lewis. These three senior students have trained with the club ever since and have impacted significantly on their own karate progress, the development of other students and the image of the club, not only in the local community but also on the international stage.The club's amazing success between 1998 and 2003 has always been greatly hampered by old school Northern Ireland karate politics. Even though Carnalea students were forever beating students from other associations within the NI Karate Board, they were never invited to represent Northern Ireland at international level. On 1 July 2003 senior instructors resigned the Carnalea club from the WIKF, and aligned themselves with the forward thinking, pro-active Ulster Karate Council. The achievement of the students since then has been second to none.
Chief Inst - David Brashaw ACS
Asst Inst - Kevin Lewis ACS
Asst Inst Sam Lewis DipSW Back to top
Foyle Wado Kai
Foyle Wado Kai is part of the North West Karate Federation. The NWKF was formed in 1980, the Chief Instructor was Mr John Cooper. Later, Mr Damien Tierney and Mr Frankie McGlinchey took charge of the club. John McFadden, 3rd Dan Black belt is the current Chief Instructor. The NWKF are members of the Ulster Karate Council, which is fast becoming a major force in the development of Northern Ireland karate.The club boasts around 80 members, from the wider Galliagh area and beyond, 40 of whom would be present, on any of their two nights per week training at St. Paul's primary school, Galliagh.
This is a very young club, but its students are very experienced in Karate events all over the country. Some members have competed at All Ireland, European and World Championships.
Foyle Wado Kai do more than collect trophies. They are a very professional outfit, which endeavours to have all it's instructors highly trained and qualified in coaching, refereeing and first aid. Their chief instructor, Mr. John Mc Fadden has been practicing Karate for more than 20 years. He is one of the first group of 10 instructors to receive an Award in Coaching Studies, a new qualification, offered by Coaching N.I. in conjunction with Sportscoach UK.
John is assisted at the club by several Dan grades. Leona McFadden (2nd Dan), Sean Gillespie (2nd Dan), Catherine Gillespie (1st Dan) and Shane Doherty (1st Dan). Back to top
Mourne International Karate federation
Mourne International Karate Federation (MIKF) was formed in 1996 by Sensi Dessie Ferris 1st Dan. In 1981 Sensi Ferris commenced his Wado-Ryu Karate training under the guidance of Sensi Ken Lundy 4th Dan and Sensi Dan O?Boyle 3rd Dan.Since forming MIKF in the Newry & Mourne area, Sensi Ferris' 2 clubs, namely Warrenpoint and Kilkeel Karate Clubs have enjoyed tremendous successes at Northern Ireland Open Championships, All Ireland Championships, British Championships, European Championships, International Team Events and World Championships.
The development of MIKF has been paramount between Sensi Ferris and his Assistant Instructor Sonia Ferris, emphasising on being family friendly and encouraging students to train with dedication and discipline. MIKF is proactive in promoting personal development, confidence and team spirit in the teachings of Wado-Ryu. Back to top