Vale Karate had again cause for celebration recently.

The following is the South Wales Echo Press release regarding Vale karate's ultimately successful nomination in the category CHAMPION SPORTS TEAM at this year's glittering South Wales Echo Community Champion Awards ceremony, which took place at Cardiff's Holland House Hotel on Tuesday 25th November. 

"Vale Karate has proved they have all the right moves. 

Set up in 2000 by Rob Copeland, who has been a karate teacher since 1986, the club teaches people of all ages from four year olds right into adulthood as well as visiting schools in Cardiff and the Vale for lunch-time and after school clubs. 

Now, the club is one of Wales’ biggest organisation’s, with five Dojo’s, three run by professional full-time instructors and has 500 members. 

A total of 130 Welsh titles and 13 British titles since 2000 as well as a European Silver medal, World Universities Bronze medal and gold medals at the Commonwealth Karate Championships.

 “I enjoy the diversity of what I do,” said Rob, who last year picked up a (Welsh Sports Council)  accolade as coach to disabled people for his work at Vale Karate, the first club in Wales to have specific classes for children and teenagers with disabilities. 

“Since I’ve been teaching full time I’ve been able to teach children with special needs, which has been well received. I also teach in schools and adults. Every class is different and that’s what’s enjoyable about my job. 

“I was surprised to be nominated but because of the impact we made in special needs last year it was a good grounding for this. Karate is quite low profile and it’s nice to do something that people are taking seriously.”

Rob and Cathy were joined by Leah, Rhys, Tasha, Elliot, Jim, Andrew and Helen. Rob and Cathy would like to thank those present for their support! 

Rob had to leave before the awards were presented, as he had an after-school class to teach and therefore Cathy accepted the award.

This further accolade for Vale Karate comes after Rob was honoured three times for his coaching achievements in 2008.

On 20th November 2008, at a ceremony held in the Future Inn, Cardiff Bay, he received the 'Understanding Disability Individual  Award’ from the Mayor of the Vale, Councillor Audrey Preston. This award was from the Cardiff and Vale Parents Federation.

On 28th November 2008, Rob, accompanied by Cathy, Linda Ruston from Disability Sport Wales and Paul Scott from the WKGB, attended the prestigious Welsh Sports Council Coach of the Year Awards. 

A hugely enjoyable, glitzy affair was attended by the Nations' top coaches from a huge cross section of sports from Rugby, Football and athletics to Judo, tennis and perhaps for the first time...Karate!

With TV cameras and reporters in abundance, Billy Pye won the main award marking his remarkable coaching success at the Paralympics in Beijing, with his swimmers winning thirteen medals, nine of them Gold!

Rob was stunned to be announced as the winner and recipient of 'Sports Council for Wales Coach of The Year’ in the the ‘Coach to Sports people with Disabilities' category. 

Then on April 24th 2009, Rob was named Vale of Glamorgan 'Community Coach of the Year’ at the Vale's Sports Personality of the year awards.

Rob would like to thank Linda Ruston for her continuing support throughout the development of Vale Karate's classes for children with Special Needs. 

Also a word of appreciation to Cathy. Present at every single class, be it in schools, The YMCA or the Leisure Centre, she is a constant source of love, support and common sense!