Sensei Ray Field 4th Dan
Is West Bromwich chief instructor, he started in boxing in 1973 in Bilston, he joined West Bromwich in 1974 and trained under Sensei Roy Partridge, for 6 years he focused on competition Kumite, through out the UK and he trained as a national BKA Referee and Judge. Sensei Ray was fortunate to train along side Sensei Steve Cattle, Sensei John Smith, Sensei Peter Spanton, Sensei Toru Tokaamizawa, also French champion Doninque Valera.
Sensei Ray obtained his 1st kyu grade in 1980, he then emigrated to New Zealand, Sensei Ray then trained under Master Hiroshi Fujįmoto, Master of GO-JO ryu and Kempo, passing his 1st dan, he then trained in Inyo-Ryu Kempo until 1992, in 1992 Sensei Ray started to train in TAI-CHI CHAN-YANG (both long & short forms) with Dr Doris Yuan and became his senior instructor. Sensei Ray came back to England in 1994 and then back under Sensei Roy Partridge. Sadly Sensei Roy Partridge passed away in 2000. Sensei Ray then took over the West Bromwich Karate Club.
Sensei Paul Brownsword 4th Dan
Paul's Martial Arts training began at the West Bromwich Dojo when he was ten years old, he said at that age he was a bit of a tear away and needed the discipline. He trained for a full year with Roy before he took his first grade as an eleven year old.
Paul competed in his first competition Corby with Roy, Nash and big Al and as a mere eleven year old he beat a sixteen brown belt and a Black belt from the same club at the competition. Paul had recently passed his eighth kyu (Yellow Belt). Paul as also competed in the Tera Nationals at the Tower Ballroom Edge Aston.
Sensei Gary Dawes 4th Dan
Began to practice Wado Ryu Karate in 1973, Sensei Gary was under Sensei Roy Partridge, he practiced with a lot older seniors students and became very adaptable, he obtained his 1st Dan in 1980 in Handsworth sports hall in front of some senior Association Instructors, one of those instructors were Sensei Toru Takamizawa 6th Dan , head of the Tera Karate Kai.
Sensei Gary achieved his 4th Dan in 1994, and he is very keen to pass on his knowledge to a new generation of students.
Sensei John Sheldon 4th Dan
John started training at this West Bromwich Karate kai with Roy in 1984, he had tried boxing previously but could not bond with it. John steadily progressed through the kyu grades then in 1991 after years of hard training under Roy he passed his first Dan.
John has trained regular at this club for many years helping both senior and Junior students alike, when John was asked why he trains in the martial arts he told me it was a personal thing, something he does for a personal satisfaction.
Sensei Shannon Parsons 1st Dan
Shannon has been at the club since she was 7 years old, she has trained hard and regular this as paid off with her attaining her Dan grade and representing Wado Kai England in two European championships.