Call us: 01234 353865 or 07908 916350
Email:
kmjstark@hotmail.com
About ATSK
About ATSK
Kevin Stark BEM, the Chief Instructor, Head of Association of Traditional Shotokan Karate
(ATSK) and currently a 7th Dan (master level), has been studying and training in Shotokan karate since 1982 and sold the DVD Shotokan Karate Kata Videobook to a whole host of English speaking countries.
Kevin has a working background in education and has been developing teaching strategies which are then used to teach karate to all ages, abilities and grade levels, from beginner to black belt.
Much like many other children’s activities, the most important thing is for the child to feel safe, have fun and to enjoy what they are doing. This helps them to achieve, which in turn helps boost self belief and confidence. This creates a positive cycle and approach to challenges that will influence their school performance and any other activity they may also be doing. Karate can easily be linked to GCSE PE and leadership skills, all of which can be recorded on the students CV for their future steps.
Karate enables the ability to develop both the mind and body together.
By having fun, people learn and develop quicker. As well as the benefits of socialising, students have the fitness, self discipline and the ability to focus the mind outside of karate. This is also relevant to adults who need help feeling confident, keeping fit, having a sense of well being, meeting new people and a sense of belonging and achieving.
Karate is a journey that can be followed for a lifetime
or as long as they want, as we have students from 4 years old up to 74 years old.
ATSK, through its offshoot organisation FTMA (Federation of Traditional martial Arts), can offer business development and insurance to any independent clubs looking to grow and become an association without interference.
Clubs are also welcome to join as part of the ATSK, or to affiliate.
Either way, there will be no interference in running your club or group.
Further Information
The first 3 consecutive lessons are free, to allow the individual a chance to see whether the classes are for them. Following the three weeks free introduction course, the individual (either a child or adult) can join by taking out the membership. The New Member Pack includes a karate suit, belt, Instruction E-Book, association badge, grading syllabus, 6 months insurance and association membership.
The New Member Pack is purchased at cost price of £38.00
(RRP £110.00)
Following membership, the cost to continue is £5.50
pay-as-you-come with family discounts available (None-members £6.50)
Rules of membership and the dojo
The below rules must be followed in order to be allowed to train:
Karate-ka must have white plain karate suites (Gi’s), which must be clean and follow good hygiene practice.
No jewellery to be worn (or be covered by a plaster) to stop injury to yourself or others.
The Gi must be worn when training with the exception of when the club instructor gives an expressed directive for when it is appropriate not to do so, such as in the event of extreme high temperatures. The directive would then to wear Gi trousers and a white T shirt.
All karate-ka should train barefoot, apart from when the club instructor gives an expressed directive for when it is appropriate not to do so, such as in the event of extreme low temperatures or for medical reasons. The directive would then to wear light training shoes, which would be put on when arriving at the dojo.
As a martial art, discipline, etiquette and spirt (determination) are to be followed. This means that the instructor will need to give permission for drinks to be taken whilst training, if the temperature is extremely high.
All students that leave the class or dojo, need to have permission to re-join the class and they must bow when entering or leaving the dojo.
ATSK do not accept any form of bullying or discrimination, all karate-ka need to demonstrate respect to each other.
Any children that are training, that have a parent watching must not leave or return into the session unless it is safe to do so and not to disrupt the class. This also applies to the parents watching, as they are not allowed to walk into the class and interfere with the running of the class, or to undermine the rules of the dojo. This can invoke the termination of the membership.
Any social media comments which bring disrepute or affect the reputation of ATSK, made by an ATSK member of the parent of a child member will have the membership terminated.
All instructors must have a current DBS and insurance, as set out in the ATSK policies.
Licences must be kept up to date, as this is the insurance required for training.