Description
The club started back in 1981 when Mike Adamson and Sensei Ian Shaw founded the club. It was the first Karate Club to be established in Haxby and has been proudly training students for over 40 years.
The first ever training session was held in November 1981 at Wigginton Recreation Hall. Both Mike and Ian, assisted by Ian's wife Wendy, were only Shodans at the time.
Due to financial reasons, the club was forced to train at the working men's club for several years before returning to its rightful home at the Wigginton Recreation Hall. Gary Osguthorpe was the first student at Haxby to attain his Shodan and was the first in a long line of others including Alexandra Coleman, Paul Smith, and John Gude.
Unfortunately, Mike chose to move away from karate but as one Mike bowed out another took up the reigns of the club. In the late 1980's Sensei Mike Gude joined the club and became the Chief instructor, a role which we are proud to say he retains to this day.
Although Sensei Mike and Sensei Ian have done a fantastic job of leading the club, it is the dedication and commitment of the students that has allowed the club to thrive for more than 40 years. At Haxby Shotokan Karate Club we are proud of our family atmosphere and dedication to develop well rounded Karateka. The development of the student is more important to us than the collection of medals and trophies.
Sensei Mike and Sensei Ian have led by example showing that they hold the true nature of karate close to their hearts and feel a sense of loyalty and passion about training us. As a student it is up to us to try to follow this example to ensure the future success of the club.