Karate Academy Scotland unveils 15-year-old as their second female black belt and wants to be positive role model for more girls and women to try the sport
‘It’s an honour to see how karate can help shape them as individuals’.
Amanda Walker loves to see students at Karate Club Scotland in Elgin and Forres develop their skills and knowledge through martial arts training.
Not being particularly ‘sporty’ at school herself, Amanda did some running in her 20s then took up shotokan karate at the age of 32.
She went on to become her club’s first female black belt and has surpassed her own expectations by becoming Karate Club Scotland’s first woman to reach 3rd Dan status - it’s taken close to 20 years of sheer dedication to her sport.
Amanda has also proved to be a positive role model for females, who make up around a quarter of members at the Moray club.
For her achievements have helped a 15-year-old member of the club to become their second female black belt, and they are keen to attract more girls and women to the sport.
“I don't come from a sporty background and definitely wasn't sporty at school,” Amanda said. “Traditional team or ball sports had no appeal to me.”
She joined a lunchtime running club, did a few 10ks and half marathons but was soon drawn to the world of martial arts.
“I can't really put my finger on why that was. I think I instinctively knew that it was a place where I would 'fit' and feel I belong.
“I went to a class at Karate Academy Scotland and decided to do a couple more there that week. And that was it for me. I've been training every week since then.”
The club was formed more than 25 years ago and was taken over in 2006 by Amanda’s partner, John Craig who has learned from the very best in the sport and achieved the coveted 5th Dan status.
Amanda is an example of someone beginning martial arts later in life, while in the case of schoolgirl Isla Fraser, her karate journey began at a very young age and took her to gaining her black belt in April this year.
“I came to my first class when I was seven with a friend from school who was part of the club at that time and I really enjoyed it,” Isla said.
“Over the years It's taught me a lot and has become a huge part of my life and I'm proud of everything I've achieved so far especially after my recent grading.
“I'm in the middle of my exams which is obviously quite stressful so being able to go and train has really helped me to switch off from everything else. It's a great club to be part of, everyone's so friendly and supportive of each other."
Amanda says karate can be an excellent fit for girls, and uses Isla as a prime example.
“She is the first under-18 student to have been presented by John for black belt due to her level.
“Isla assists in teaching in our junior classes and is also used for demonstrations in our junior and senior classes. In this way, she is an inspiration to our younger students who look up to her and see what can be achieved by someone just a little older than them.
“Through assisting us, Isla has also achieved the volunteering part of her Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award and is currently working towards her Silver Award.
“It's a real positive for the club to have two female black belts who instruct as well as train. This visibility puts us in a position of role model which is not only important for any girls or women that come to the club but also for boys and men to see women in this kind of position in a traditionally male environment.”
Amanda says the main reason why karate was such a good ‘fit’ for her personally was the structure, the discipline and the study involved in the sport.
“Our club really is an academy in that sense, we study the form and strategy of this traditional martial art. I think there can be a misconception that it's all about sparring, but this is actually a very small part of the whole.
“I've assisted instructing at the club for around 15 years. Being part of recruiting new students and helping to introduce them to karate and develop their skills and knowledge is another highlight for me.
“It's an honour to work with them and to see how karate can help shape them as individuals. The club is a place where we come together each week to train and support each other in lots of ways - it's like a family.”
Last month, Amanda, Isla and two male colleagues gained their new grading as part of a weekend which included a karate course led by one of karate’s greats, Sensei Dirk Heene, a 9th Dan who travelled from his dojo in Belgium to lead the training.
There were successful gradings for David Edmond (1st Kyu), Isla and Chris Dearman (Shodan, 1st Dan black belt), and Amanda (Sandan, 3rd Dan black belt).
Karate Club Scotland is proud to have two black belt students, and is running a recruitment campaign to attract more females to the club. Any who joins will get a free karate suit and half price training for the first three months.
“It is recognised that girls are more likely to drop out of sport and activity than boys,” Amanda added. “We would like to make the most of having positive female role models in our club as a way to encourage more girls to come along and try karate.
“At the moment our club is about 1/4 female, and 3/4 male participation. We are part of a wider association and the ratio is similar across the full membership.
“It's difficult to know why this is the case. I do know that girls are more likely to drop out of sports than boys are. I work at Active Schools and know that their participation figures also show a gap between female-male participation.
Karate Academy Scotland has classes four nights a week, with one of those classes being eligible for students aged 5+ Other classes are for students aged 7+, while the eldest student at the club is over 70 years of age.
“Myself and John have the privilege of training under world class instructors. These are people who have truly dedicated their life to karate.
“As well as extremely successful competitive careers, these Sensei share their knowledge and passion for karate across Europe. At these courses we see the beauty of karate at a very high level - Karate-ka demonstrating kumite (partner work) and kata (patterns) at full speed and power, while being technically exact.
“This is inspirational and we take this energy back to our club with us to pass on to our students.
“Our club is not a competitive club and so the achievements of my karate journey are not measured by medals or trophies. Instead, it is being at these training courses and having the ability to hold my own and cope with the material we are training is my achievement, particularly as the instruction is not usually given in English but in the local language along with the Japanese terminology.
“It's taken almost 20 years of regular training to reach 3rd Dan (Sandan). When I started karate I hoped to get to black belt, and thought that to reach 2nd Dan would be the ultimate achievement so it's really quite something for me to have reached the next level.
“I'm the first student to have gone from white belt to 3rd Dan under John's instruction, and I'm the first female 3rd Dan at the club. As well as my grade being ratified by the Scottish Karate Board it is also certified by the Kase-Ha which is an internationally recognised association which was created for 3rd Dan and above development.”
For more information on membership, contact Amanda by email at amanda@karateacademyscotland.com or call 07841137056
Alternatively, email john@karateacademyscotland.com, call 07787812214 or visit the club’s website or Facebook page.
