York Elite

Very much a family club with members ranging from 6 to 60, all of our Instructors and most of our parent members have children who train regularly with them at the club.

We strongly believe in providing quality instruction in all aspects of Karate, including the traditional and sport forms, to equip our students with true martial spirit building respect, discipline, focus, physical fitness and most importantly the ability to have some fun and form new friendships while training.

Born in Belfast and hailing from Downpatrick Co. Down, Niall was involved in a number of team sports throughout his schooldays notably Gaelic Football where he has represented Co. Down and Lancashire at various age levels.

Niall stayed in England after graduating from Manchester as a Civil Engineer to work in construction and mainly due to work and travel commitments drifted away from active sports other than an occassional game of golf or trip to the gym.

Shotokan karate is one of the most popular of modern styles. It is the most powerful and dynamic of the Japanese systems, and is generally considered to be the most comprehensive, both in the range of its techniques and the number and diversity of its kata. But to understand the basis of shotokan, and to see the rich pedigree of karate, we need to look to its origins.

It was a day of magnificent performances right across the team and we're very proud of all of our members who competed. As ever we are very grateful to the families and friends who also turned out to support everyone and enhanced the atmosphere of the day.

Notable events included the return to competition of Harry Cuddy who captained our Male Kumite Team including Connor Dunckley, Constantino Alvarez-Odell and Hugh Fowler to a superb third place narrowly losing out to Halewood in the semi-final.Kudos also to Hugh Fowler who replaced an injured Constantino in the semi-final and faced current World Champion Joe Rawcliffe in the first fight and to Connor for an awesome ushiro-geri to win his fight.