KARATE FOR EVERYONE

Vale Karate is the name of our main dojo in Barry as well as the shortened version of our Association's full name:
The Vale of Glamorgan Karate Organisation.

Although now one of Wales' biggest Organisation's, we nevertheless have only four Dojo's, two run by professional full-time instructors:

Vale Karate
The Headquarters of The VGKO Run by Rob & Cathy Copeland Classes in Barry YMCA and Barry Leisure Centre and in Schools across Cardiff and the Vale

Koryu Karate Club
Run by Carl Peckham
Kansei Karate School
Run by Andrew Kanias Classes in Cyncoed, Rhoose
and in Schools across Cardiff and the Vale
Valleys Karate
Run by Lee Morgan

The Information below is relating to our squad and to our
Vale Karate dojo

The Vale Karate Squad are alone in Wales in excelling in both Kata and Kumite.
We’re proud that they compete successfully in both aspects of competitive WKF Karate wherever they go. We believe in a competitive, sporting ethos and in giving those who want to compete the very best chances of being successful.

A running total of One Hundred and fifty Welsh titles and sixteen British titles since our independence in October 2000 as well as a European Silver medal, World Universities Bronze medal and gold medals at the Commonwealth Karate Championships, Kamacho Open, French International Open for teenagers, Belgian Open, Junior Austrian Open, Czech Open and Celtic Cup as well as five current International competitors testify to our success.

And we will continue to strive to improve our standards and reputation, with a strong development structure in place.

But Vale Karate is far from being just about winning trophies and medals!

Traditional Karate is more than 'simply a sport' and training with Vale Karate can be an extremely positive experience for absolutely anyone. 

The Vale Karate Dojo has classes for children from four years; The Vale Karate Tigers where we introduce very young children to Karate in a high energy, fun but disciplined way. These classes have become very successful. We have two Saturday classes at the YMCA, so that both beginners and more advanced 'Tigers' are catered for. We have also established a class at the YMCA at 6pm on Mondays and a class at Barry Leisure Centre on Fridays. These classes are more ‘gradually progressive than our older Children’s classes, with the aim being that our Tigers graduate to our Children classes.

We have three extremely popular children's classes held at Barry's YMCA Hub:

Beginners, Yellow Belt 9th Kyu's and Red Belt 8th Kyu's train on Wednesdays. 
Our Intermediate Grades from Green Belt 7th Kyu to Purple Belt 4th Kyu train on Tuesdays and our advanced Children of Brown and Black Belt train on Mondays. 

 These classes are taken by Rob Copeland.

All children also then train on Fridays where Rob is assisted by a number of our Instructors. 

Our classes are a fun, friendly but disciplined environment where all children are encouraged to do their very best, and by doing, fully enjoy and benefit from their training and become as good as they can be. As the children progress through the grades, so we expect and demand more of them!

We understand that not all children aspire, or have the tools to become champions and only a very small percentage will reach Black Belt, fewer still will enter adulthood as a practicing Karateka, so our main aim is to ensure that the Karate experience, be it for a few weeks, or a lifetime, is a positive and enjoyable one! 

Adults have three specific 'Adult Only' classes a week, two traditional sessions where training is in the non-sport traditional art of Shotokan. In between these classes, however we have a 'Fighting Fit' training session which encompasses competition kumite training, padwork and fitness training, Adult of Brown & Black Belt have no fewer than five training opportunities per week as they can also train in the monday Advanced Class or on the Saturday morning Kata class.

Rob Copeland and Andrew Kanias are currently involved in no fewer than twelve schools across Cardiff and the Vale, running After-School and Lunch-time clubs where literally hundreds of children enjoy training in both an art and a sport where discipline, respect and hard work are emphasised. 

We are involved in the Welsh Assembly Government's 5X60 movement and as a result have delivered many sessions to literally thousands of children in secondary schools across the Vale. 

We are the first Karate Organisation in Wales to have specific classes for children and teenagers with disabilities and special needs, this extremely important aspect of Karate is growing all the time as we become ever more involved

We initiated 'Special Needs Kata' categories to Competitive Karate in South Wales and beyond, with several tournament organisers adding this category to future events. The Welsh and British Championships now have categories in place. We believe that all children should be given avenues to enjoy sport and will continue to strive to provide these children with a platform in the world of competitive karate.

At first glance, our success may lead to us being branded a 'sport-oriented' Organisation...

On closer inspection it becomes clear that Vale Karate really is Karate for everyone!

WHO WE ARE
Vale Karate is a family-run professional Organisation established and run by Chief Instructor and Head Coach Rob Copeland and secretary Cathy Copeland and based in Barry at Barry Leisure Centre and Barry YMCA Hub. Rob is a fully qualified Level II Coach and Coach Assessor with the Welsh Karate Governing Body; The only Karate NGB recognised by The Welsh Sports Council. 
Three Instructors: Carl Peckham 4th Dan (Koryu), Andrew Kanias 4th Dan (Kansei) and Lee Morgan 3rd Dan (Valleys) run their own clubs under the guidance of Rob Copeland

Rob Copeland runs all Vale Karate Dojo classes and courses.
Several 'trainee' instructors are also undergoing training with Rob who is a WKGB Coach Assessor.

Welsh, Celtic, British and Commonwealth Champion Gareth Reynolds is Vale Karate's Kumite coach.

The Vale has special Kyu Grade Courses leading up to Gradings. These courses help in maintaining Vale Karate’s high standards. All VGKO students attend these courses

Gradings are held three times per year. 
Weekly Vale Karate Squad sessions are held in both Kata and Kumite.
(see squad News page for the next session) 

Vale Karate are committed to sending The Vale's squad to the highest calibre events possible in order to gain the experience to compete with and beat the very best. 

In the three years ’07, ’08 & ‘09 Vale Karate has won almost One Thousand medals and trophies! 

LICENCE
The Vale of Glamorgan Karate Organisation INITIAL LICENCE costs £40.00 This fee gives the student a KARATE SUIT (KARATEGI) Affiliation to the Governing Body, Grading Book and EMBROIDERED VALE BADGE. The licence is renewed annually at £20

MEMBERSHIP

Membership of The Vale of Glamorgan Karate Organisation costs £15 (£25 Family) annually. THIS IS NOT COMPULSORY but allows the student to train at a reduced rate* 100% of this fee goes to The Vale Karate Squad Fund which supports our squad. 

FEES