What a  mad year. The Club has gone from strength to strength and we are almost back to our pre-covid size with over 50 classes running every single week. As the end of the year approaches, we still have plenty going on to keep you all busy from gradings - to award seminars, the Ultimate Training Weekend 2023 - to new Shodans! It has all been happening and will continue, right up to the day we close for our Christmas break.  

Kyu Gradings in Classes 

There are plenty of gradings happening in December at the following dojos: 

• Monday 28th November – Bolton Dojo

• Tuesday 29th November – Altrincham Bollin Dojo

• Wednesday 30th November – Rawtenstall Dojo

• Thursday 1st December - Stockton Heath Dojo

• Monday 5th December – Cheadle Hulme Dojo

• Tuesday 6th December – Reddish Dojo

• Thursday 8th December – Worsley Dojo & Haslingden Dojo

Good luck to everybody attempting their first or next gradings. We are looking forward to seeing how you are getting on. Make sure you have everything you need with you. (Up to Date License and Kumite equipment for those attempting their Red Belts and above).

There has been disruption to Royal Mail services so if you have ordered your license last week and it doesn't arrive on time, do not worry. You/your child will still be able to take part. If you need to purchase a license, a renewal or any kumite stock you can visit our online shop by click here.... 

Combined Senior Class - Monday 5th December 

Our last combined Senior Class of the year is on Monday 5th December at Thornleigh Salesian College, Sharples Park Bolton. BL1 6PQ from 8pm-9pm. Senior Class is closed on Monday 12th December due to the hall being unavailable, so all Instructors are invited to train at either the Timperley Senior Class on the 15th December or the Tottington Senior Class on Friday 16th December.  

Aemelia Young - 1st Dan Black Belt 

We are delighted to announce that Aemelia Young has completed her grading to 1st Dan Black Belt. She retook her Kata section on Saturday 26th November at Daryl Sensei's Stoneclough Dojo and was fantastic. Aemelia is just 12 years old and has shown resilience and determination by coming back stronger and trying again.

So many people do not take the disappointment well and sadly never fulfil their potential. Aemelia is a courageous student with a firecracker personality. She deserves her Black Belt and has worked very hard for it over several years. We are so pleased for her, and she should feel very proud of herself. To see her name on our Black Belt Roll of Honour click here.....

Kata & Kumite Squad News 

We've got Grace Baron Sensei, Jaime Pratley and Izzy Baron entering the WKF Venice Youth Cup. This is a competition run by the World Governing Body for Karate (WKF) and will feature the very best juniors in the World. This is an amazing opportunity for Grace, Jaime and Izzy to test themselves at the very highest level. All 3 are taking part in Individual Kata. This comp will take place on 8th-11th December in Venice, Italy. We will all be cheering you on from back home. Safe journey and smash it team!

Last weekend, a few of our junior Squad members took part in the Manchester Youth Open and did brilliantly. Between our small and mighty team, they took home 6 medals. You can read our results from the Manchester Youth Comp by clicking here.......  

Our Kumite Squad have now finished competing for the season so our Kumite Squad class is on our Winter break. We will resume on Monday 9th January to prepare for competitions resuming in February. Kata Squad will be open on Tuesday 29th November and our Kata coaches will confirm closing and re-opening dates. 

Student of the Year Awards 2022-2023

Our Annual Student of the Year awards will be taking place this Sunday 4th December. Congratulations if you have been nominated and will be attending. We are having all the awards engraved as we speak. Remember, in addition to your personalised award, you have been nominated for 3 large trophies, so train extra hard on the day. 

The categories are:

• Student of the Year - 2022-2023

• Most Improved Student - 2022-2023

• Instructors Choice Award - 2022-2023

The event is taking place at:

Kearsley Academy, Springfield Road, Kearsley, Bolton. BL4 8HY

Time: 11am-1.30pm 

We are excited to announce we have Danny Jordan Sensei 5th Dan and Chief Instructor of Martial Arts East coming to teach with us. His Karate is phenomenal. Despite his young age, he has travelled the World training and competing including an extended stint in Japan. We are very lucky to be hosting him and looking forward to you all learning from him. 

RTK Online Shop - Christmas Gifts 

Did you know we have our own online shop? We sell a wide range of Karate equipment, Standard and WKF Uniforms, Club Hoodies, Adidas Tracksuit Tops, Holdalls, Adidas Rucksacks, Belt Racks and much more. Some of these would make perfect gifts for Christmas.

We have also re-opened the link to order Hirota Black Belts (Order will be sent to Japan on Thursday 1st December so you have until then to order). 

The last dates to order items to collect in classes is Monday 5th December (as this is the last time we will see all our Instructors in one place). After this date, you will need to opt for home delivery. The online shop is open right up until Sunday 18th December. Anything ordered after this date will be processed upon our return in January.   

Ultimate Training Weekend 2023 - Places Still Available

Earlier this week we announced our first post-covid Ultimate Training Weekend. There are now less than 10 places remaining for those who would like to come on a little Haven Holiday in North Wales with us! We always have so much fun together and it's not too late to get involved. Six hours of karate over 2 days and plenty of team games for those with a competitive spirit! For more info and how to book your place click here.........

Upcoming articles 

We will be releasing a couple of new articles for you to read over the next few weeks including: 

Pregnancy and your Karate Journey - put together by those who have trained before, during and after cooking a human! 

Setting and achieving realistic goals for 2023! - Each year, students return from the Christmas break more enthusiastic to achieve than ever. We'll be talking about to set little targets that can be achieved bit by bit, to help you smash your goals in 2023!  

Closing and Re-opening Dates 

The Club closes on Saturday 17th December and re-opens on Tuesday 3rd January. (*Please note that some classes may vary as some Dojo's may not be re-opening until those Schools re-open). If we have keys for the dojo, we will be back. Check the website nearer the time or ask your Sensei at the last session. 

We want to wish all of our members a wonderful Christmas break and a Happy and prosperous New Year. 

From Paul and Rachael Sensei and all the Instructor team at RTK