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Karate club trio's medal-winning performances
8 May 2008
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 13 Courtney Lloyd, Matthew Thyer and Asa Madsen 13 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.
Photo captions
The Vale Karate Club winning trio, back row, from left 13 Matthew Thyer, Courtney Lloyd and Asa Madsen 13 are pictured with Caleb Davies (Welsh Karate Union).
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