Karate club trio's medal-winning performances
A Vale of Glamorgan karate club's new section for youngsters
with disabilities and special needs has enjoyed further success on
the competition scene.
Taking part in the special needs kata category of a Welsh
Bushi-Kai Karate Association tournament at Afan Lido, the three
Vale Karate Club members - Courtney Lloyd, Matthew Thyer and
Asa Madsen - took the gold, silver and bronze medals
respectively. The Vale club provided five of the 11 category
competitors.
Courtney's winning
performance produced the biggest cheer of the day and a standing
ovation from the large audience.
The decision of Welsh Bushi-Kai chief instructor Shihan Richie
Noblett (8th Dan) to referee the category indicated its importance.
Richie is renowned as one of Welsh karate’s first black belts,
passing the benchmark almost 40 years ago.
With the support of Vale council disability sports development
officer Linda Ruston, Vale club chief instructor and head coach Rob
Copeland is proud to be putting karate for people with disabilities
on the map. He has succeeded in adding appropriate categories to
competition programmes at several major championships. Each event
has been heralded a great success and entry numbers are rising.
The biggest accolade so far will be the inclusion of the special
needs kata category at the Welsh open youth championships in
August. This marks a major step forward for karate for children
with special needs and a milestone in disability sport in
Wales.
Linda Ruston said: "Working with Rob has ensured that we have
made great strides in popularising karate for children with special
needs. Participants and coaches at the recent event should be
congratulated for their outstanding achievements. Vale Karate is
really going from strength to strength.”
Vale Karate run classes for those with disabilities on Monday at
Barry YMCA (6pm), while their ‘Tigers’ class for four to six year
olds is held on Saturdays at the YMCA (11am). Children of all
grades can pop along to the YMCA on Mondays and Wednesdays or to
Barry Leisure Centre on Tuesdays and Fridays (7pm). Adults are
welcome at Barry Leisure Centre for either of their 8pm classes on
Tuesdays and Fridays.
For more information on joining the Vale Karate Club, contact
Rob Copeland on 01446 419701, or, for details on disability sport
opportunities, ring Linda Ruston on 01446 7047278.
Caption: The Vale Karate Club winning trio, back row, from
left - Matthew Thyer, Courtney Lloyd and Asa Madsen - are
pictured with Caleb Davies (Welsh Karate Union).
07/05/2008