A little about my  background.

At  28 years of age, after a long time in athletics, rugby and weight training, I took up an interest in martial arts.  There was a choice of two clubs in the Leigh area at that time, one judo club and one karate club.  I was keen to try both, but time was of a premium, as it usually is, and so I decided to give karate a try.  My first karate lesson was at the Rising Sun Karate Club in Leigh, (affiliated to the SKU) under Sensei Tommy Kwan 3rd Dan.

As I approached my 5th Kyu grade the club was closed and some of the members decided to continue training after finding a venue in Lowton.  A young man, Michael Gregory took over as Instructor, on a temporary basis, just to keep the club 'ticking over', and Mike and I became good friends, a friendship that has lasted and grown over the last thirty years. When Mike moved on to do other things I continued my training under Sensei Roy Stanhope at Blackpool and Ardwick in Manchester.

My First club opened in Atherton at the Formby Hall and became successful in both attendance and in competition.  As time moved on I opened a club in Aspull and a club at Hayward School, Bolton, where I taught Design & Technology.  Quite a large proportion of my members gained 1st 2nd and 3rd places in National and interclub competitions.

My Instructor Sensei Roy Stanhope gave me encouragement and support, and we became good friends.  As a member of the SKU and Executive committee member, I also trained under Sensei Shigaru Kimura,(SKU World Chief Instructor) Sensei Stan Knighton, Sensei Terry Pottage, Sensei Dave

Warburton, Sensei Ken Gee, Sensei Eddie Daniels, and Sensei Abdu Shah.  There was a good spirit of comradeship and friendships developed with other Senior Instructors… to name a few….. Neil Fagan, Damian McLaughlin, Ian Barlow, Joe Tierney, and Paul Graham.

 

Over the years a lot of changes took place and I started NASKA in 1986 with my Senior Instructors totally committed to the idea.  We have continued to grow and develop over the years.  My members have experienced training in different martial arts and other styles of karate, including Goju Ryu under Master Higgona, and Shito ryu under Sensei Tomiyama, in order to gain knowledge and understanding of the different systems.

 

Through my long friendship with Mike Gregory now a JKD Instructor under Sifu-Guro Dan Inosanto,  I have had the opportunity and pleasure of training under Mike, Sifu Rick Young, Sensei Erik Paulson, Sensei Neil Adams, Sifu Rick Faye, Sifu Larry Hartsell and Sifu-Guro Dan Inosanto.  The Influence of Mike and the Instructors mentioned here, have inspired me to develop myself, and my students through cross training.

 

Mike is my JKD Instructor and my training under Mike has opened up new horizons and new challenges for me, at 62  years of age I am continually experiencing new horizons and new challenges.  The beneficial effects have not only improved my health but also my  knowledge and understanding of martial arts. As a result, the effects are having a tremendous positive influence on my students.  

 

 

Sincerely

Terry Pemberton