Leading Karate coach gives masterclass to Laceby students

KARATE students flocked to Grimsby Leisure Centre as one of the country's leading coaches gave a tutorial in the 'art of the empty hand'.

Master Aidan Trimble, 7th Dan, was greeted with a packed venue for his class of Laceby and Grimsby Federation of Shotokan Karate Club students.

BLOCKED: Seventeen-year-old Gareth Portas (left), 1st Dan, applies a defensive move against 1st Dan Lana Trimble, 17, from Nottingham.
stars and stripes: Laceby karate club students who will travel to the US as part of the FSK British squad next year. Back, left-right, brothers Bryn and Gareth Portas, Master Aidan Trimble, Sensei Neil Portas, Kyle Ailsby; front, Megan Todd, Sophie Mellor, Christopher Vaughan.
COUNTER: Action from Laceby Shotokan Karate Club's latest grading session. Tracey Barker (left), 2nd Dan, attacks Claire Davidson, 2nd Dan, who counters with a roundhouse kick. Submitted pictures.

Six members who will be accompanying him as part of the Federation of Shotokan Karate British squad which is competing in an international competition in America next year were among those taking part.

Those players are Sophie Mellor, Megan Todd, Christopher Vaughan, Kyle Ailsby, Bryn Portas and Gareth Portas. Laceby club coach Sensei Neil Portas will also join them on their travels.

Master Trimble's first class was for black and brown belts.

He went through several katas (fixed forms and preset moves) before the senior students soon had would-be attackers flying as punches and kicks where blocked and countered using the moves they had learnt.

The second class, open to all karate grades, included basic drills, moves and katas – designed to prepare them for their next grading session which took place later the same day.

The examination saw a grading panel assess the students with belts and certificates dished out to those who were successful.

Those interested in learning karate at the Grimsby Federation of Shotokan Karate Club can contact 07936997481. For the Laceby club, ring (01472) 505831 or visit the website at www.lacebykarateclub.co.uk