Karate: Ilkley Karate Club
My name is Mark Outterside. I am a 5th degree black belt with the Shukokai Karate Union and have been doing karate for the past 23 years. I started when I was 15 years old after being constantly picked on at school. I wanted to try something that was different, unusual and, of course, confidence building.
In 1988 I opened the Ilkley Karate Club, something I had always wanted to do - having lived in Ilkley all my life, I now felt I could give something back to the community.
We now have six children who are National Kumite Champions who took first place honours this year (2003), these include: Andrew Johnston (11), Ken Corless (11), Maria Corless (13), India Nolson-Fearnley (14), Faye Cooke (13) and Tashina Earle (10) who all won in the SKU National Championships 2003. Calum Kerr (9) also won the National Kata Championships 2003 with near perfect scores. Brown belts Tyrone Abraham (10) and Ken Corless (11) also have done well at International level.
These results and others are the clubs best to date; this just goes to show how strong the Ilkley club really is and will now put the club well and truly on the map.
The club is currently celebrating its 15th anniversary and is sponsored by Ilkley MOT and Service Station.
The club and its students have also been featured in the ‘Traditional Karate’ magazine (June & July 2003), which has worldwide circulation.
The Ilkley Karate Club trains at the Ben Rhydding Methodist Church on Tuesdays, Thursdays and now Fridays. Class times as follows:
Tuesday
Children’s class from 6.15pm to 7.15pm (under 11’s)
Children’s class from 7.15pm to 8.15pm (over 11’s)
Adult class from 8.15pm to 10pm
Thursday
Children’s beginners class 5.15pm to 6.15pm
Children’s class 6.15pm to 7.15pm (under 11’s)
Children’s class 7.15pm to 8.15pm (over 11’s)
Adults class from 8.15pm to 10pm
Friday
Children's class all ages 6.45 to 7.45
To find out more check out the club website on www.ilkleykarate.co.uk
The first 3 Beginners Lessons at the Ilkley Club are absolutely FREE.
To book your free lessons phone Mark on Ilkley 01943 601297,
or e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.