Welcome to the Northumberland Karate Academy (NKA) Main Dojo website
If you would like to learn Karate in a supportive environment with a qualified and experienced senior instructor, improve your fitness, gain confidence, learn new skills whether you wish to progress to very advanced techniques or are merely looking for a way to challenge your body and your mind, then the NKA will meet your needs. Past and present alumni have gone on to regional, national and international competitions while others have come for the fun of learning new things and keeping fit. Whatever your ambitions and age, the NKA is the club for you.
We look forward to seeing you at one of our many training sessions.
Sensei Ian Willis 7th Dan – NKA Chief Instructor.
“He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight” – The Art of War, by Sun Tzu - circa 500BC

Join our Karate Club
Why not try on of our shotokan Karate classes. There are many benefits from practicing Shotokan Karate and we hold classes for students as young as 5 years of age. Some of the benefits include:
SELF DEVELOPMENT
SELF FITNESS
SELF CONFIDENCE
SELF DEFENCE
IMPORTANT NOTICE
After 46 years of being affiliated to the KUGB Sensei Ian Wills has now decided that for further development of himself and all of his students it is time to follow a new direction. For this reason the club is now part of Shotokan Connect! Sensei Ian is looking forward to an exciting new era of the Northumberland Karate Academy.
Sensei Ian

TRAINING SCHEDULE
IMPORTANT NEWS
Junior / Beginners class 5-6pm on a Tuesday at Ponteland Leisure Centre
In addition to this new class the Saturday Junior / Beginners class will be extended by 30 minutes and will now run 11.00 - 12.30
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Guest Instructor Tony Chin Sensei 17/12/23


With NKA grading just over a month away on 17/12/23, we look forward to welcoming our guest instructor Tony Chin Sensei to the club.
A familiar face to many Karateka across the UK, Tony Chin Sensei's experience is matched only by his knowledge.
After taking a break from Karate, Tony Sensei returned to training with his boys, Anthony and Jake, in 2013. Tony Sensei travelled up and down the country, training under the most senior instructors, eventually gaining his 3rd and 4th Dan In 2018,
His search for great Karate took him to Japan , which eventually led to him taking a great number of other karataka on their first visit to the home of Shotokan Karate at the JKA Honbu Tokyo. Returning to the tatami, Tony Sensei showed his ability, placing and winning in both Kata and Kumite competitions. Just a couple of his achievements include HDKI Veterans Kata Champion, JSKA European Silver Medalist in Kata and Kumite and WUKF World Silver Medalist in Kata. As well as KUGB Northern Region Vets Kumite Champion.
Tony Sensei Karate is Budo through and through and has always believed in Karate without borders.

Shotokan Connect safeguarding policy.
We place the utmost importance on the wellbeing of all our students, and as part of this have a robust approach to safeguarding. Details of the Shotokan Connect safeguarding policy can be found at Safeguarding Policy - Shotokan Connect
(https://shotokanconnect.com/training-instruction/wellbeing-policies/safeguarding-policy/)
NKA safeguarding officer
Sensei Liz
07985 244606
Congratulations to Sensei Ian Willis, Northumberland's most senior Shotokan Instructor!
Shotokan Connect is proud to announce the promotion of Sensei Ian Willis to 7th Dan. Please join us in celebrating his well-deserved achievement of Shichidan.
This prestigious Dan grade was awarded by the Executive and QA Committees of Shotokan Connect and marks a major step forward in the growth and confidence of the association. Congratulations to Sensei Willis an inspirational, talented and respected karateka.
Having become a professional karate instructor in 1993, Sensei Willis offers over 45 years of dedicated karate experience.
As an established and senior instructor of the Northumberland Karate Academy (NKA) in Ashington, Sensei Ian:
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Teaches 13 classes a week across 5 clubs
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Achieved his 6th Dan over 9 years ago
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Had a successful national and international competition career in kata and kumite
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Offered early and comprehensive support of Shotokan Connect during the formulation of the association
All of Sensei Willis students would like to send their congratulations on this incredible achievement which recognises the hard work and dedication of over 45 years.
Below are some pics of Sensei Willis taken over the years of his training!

Club Contact details
Sensei Ian: 0771090643

https://shotokanconnect.com/membership/grading-syllabus/
NKA Training & Grading
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16/04/2023
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Ashington Leisure Centre, Lintonville Tce, Ashington, Northumberland, NE63 9JY

NKA Branded Clothing
If you would like to purchase an NKA training top then please enquire with Sensei Ian Willis.