CRB and Cheshunt Karate Club

Cheshunt Karate Club takes child protection seriously as does our National Governing Body the National Association of Karate & Martial Art Schools (NAKMAS). Our Senior Instructors, Instructors and Assistant Instructors are CRB checked to teach children and vulnerable adults with enhanced disclosures via NAKMAS The Child Protection Officer for NAKMAS, Joe Ellis, can be contacted through the NAKMAS website to verify this at www.NAKMAS.com Parents and Guardians of our Junior students are welcome and encouraged to watch their children train in our club.


SENSEI STEVE PELL 6th Dan

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Sensei Steve Pell 6th Dan started karate training in 1983 with the late Sensei Jones 6th Dan at the ESKA Broxbourne Dojo. He achieved Shodan in 1988, Nidan in 1991, Sandan in 1994, Yondan in 1999 and his present grade in 2011. He also trained with Sensei Gibson in Cheshunt and Enfield from 1984 to 2001. He opened the Rosedale/Cheshunt Karate Club (most people know it as Cheshunt Karate Club) in January 1999 and a second dojo a few months later. Although Sensei Pell teaches 3 classes a week he believes the most important thing is regular training and trains 6 times a week himself. He has trained with many of the top karate instructors in the world today and regularly attends karate courses. Through his karate he became interested in Anatomy and Physiology and is a qualified Sports & Remedial Massage Therapist with the International Institute of Sports Therapy. He has also a qualified as a Personal Trainer and Gym instructor with the YMCA. He has been CRB checked to work with children. His hobbies outside karate include weight training, jogging and wine tasting, not necessarily in that order. His aims are to promote Shotokan karate to as many men, women and children as he can and to build a strong and respected karate group to be proud of.

SENSEI GAVIN PAUL 6th Dan

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Sensei Paul started life north of the border just outside of Glasgow, a few years before the ‘swinging sixties’ got going. Moving south in 1962, his formative years were spent in Billericay, Essex. After several moves and a few years in between (no it wasn’t because the police were after the family) he settled in Cheshunt. He is married with two sons and a boxer dog. Both his sons train at the club and are progressing well through the kyu grades. Sensei Paul is a professional photographer working mainly in London, but has undertaken assignments all over the country. He has also worked in Europe and Africa.Like many, Sensei Paul went along to his first karate lesson out of curiosity with a group of friends, and has continued training ever since. That first lesson in 1981 was at the dojo of the late Sensei Harry Jones 6th Dan. It is to Sensei Jones most of all, that Sensei Paul feels he owes his traditional views and practise of karate to. His first grading was taken later that year under the watchful gaze of Sensei Michael Randall 8th Dan. He attained his Shodan in 1988, Nidan in 1991, Sandan in 1995, Yondan in 1999, Godan in 2004 and his present grade in 2010. Over the years he has trained under some of the greatest modern day karate teachers in the country. These include Senseis Kanazawa, Eneoda, Murakami, Donovan and Ohta. Because of his work and the often long and unsocial hours it demands he knows it would never have been possible to open a club of his own. That said, he enjoys the teaching and training aspects of karate without all the administration associated with running a club. When asked what he hopes the future will bring he said “The club has a very healthy group of youngsters, some of which I am sure will attain their black belts in time. There is also a strong adult group of all ages and abilities who really enjoy their karate and with the excellent instructors they will help the club to flourish”

SENSEI JOHN AYRES 5th Dan

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I started karate as a teenager as many do with a group of friends. I always led an active life and karate took my mind and body to another level. I received my Shodan in December 1991, Nidan in 1994, Sandan in February 2003 Yondan at the 2008 Gasshuku, and was awarded my Godan in November 2013. As an experienced karateka I have learnt that being taught by Sensei's who were, staunch traditionalists was great, but they were not necessarily open to other techniques from other street-wise styles (no disrespect meant). Having joined Sensei Pell's club this has some what changed, you can never open your eyes wide enough to knowledge. Karate should always be traditional, but by introducing techniques from other styles only helps to keep the student interested.

SENSEI NIGEL EDWARDS 4th Dan

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I took up Karate at age 14, at Broxbourne Karate Club under Sensei Jones. I always had an interest in martial arts and had previously practised Judo. I first wanted to try Karate after walking past the Broxbourne Dojo one day and wondered what all the noise coming from the hall was about. I reached 7th Kyu, but at 16 was enticed away for a number of years to pursue other interests. I returned to Karate in 1993, achieving Shodan in 1997, and Nidan in 2000. I began training with Sensei Pell full time in 2000 at Cheshunt was awarded Sandan in March 2004 and Yondan in November 2011. Outside of Karate, I am a Finance Manager. When time permits, I also enjoy cycling and walking. I would say to any beginners out there that it is not possible to fully appreciate what Karate is all about in a couple of lessons, and beware of some other martial arts forms which offer instant abilities, but which will not develop the whole person. Karate movements require time to practise and need time to train the mind and develop the muscles of the body before they can be done proficiently. The instructors at the club have trained together and taught alongside each other for many years. There is a deep feeling of camaraderie and friendship between them, which creates a great atmosphere in the club.

LES BOUGHEY 3rd Dan ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR (Sempai)

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I started karate in August 1999. My First grading was taken by Sensei Harry Jones, a renowned 6th Dan, which I am very proud of. Since then I have trained regularly and achieved my black belt after five years of training. Karate is a great way of keeping fit and a great sport. My hobbies are golf and football.

Sam Bennett 2nd Dan ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR (Sempai)

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Karate has been an integral part of my life since I can remember. I was curious about karate from a young age and went for my first lesson aged 6 at a different dojo. Afterwards, the Sensei told my mum 'he'll never be a black belt.' Undeterred, my parents encouraged me to try karate at 'The Cheshunt Karate Club' and the atmosphere at the club was instantly vibrant and welcoming. Fifteen years and I'm still training with the instructors that have played such a massive role in my life, guiding me to Shodan in 2011 and Nidan in 2015. As well as learning to defend yourself, the lessons in karate run much deeper and practitioners will find themselves developing into much more rounded individuals! Development, however, does not happen overnight and requires patience and commitment - but the rewards are worth it! I would urge anyone that is serious about self-development (physical, mental and spiritual) to give karate a try!

Hannah Jenkins 1st Dan ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR (Sempai)

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I started Karate in July 2010, training under Sensei Pell at Cheshunt Karate Club. I enjoyed it from my very first lesson and knew it was something I wanted to stick with after seeing the degree of skill evident in the whole club. Karate has pushed me beyond what I thought I was capable of doing and has given me confidence, fitness and valuable skills both physically and mentally. I achieved my Shodan in February 2015 after four and a half years and I intend to continue training for many years to come! I am currently studying English Literature at London South Bank University and working part time in a pub..

NEIL PAUL 1st Dan ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR (Sempai)

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I started karate when I was about 5 or 6. I am now teaching and showing people the things that I have learnt like the rei, which is where when you walk in the training room you duck because you might hit your head on the door frame and the mokuso, where you close your eyes when your tired. Currently I am working really hard on my chosen career in the Men’s-wear department of M & S, Oh suits you sir!.

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Events

  • New Shodan

    Congratulations Sam Bennett on his new black belt
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  • Gasshuku 2011

    Report on gasshuku 2011
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  • Gasshuku 2010

    Report on gasshuku 2010
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  • Gasshuku 2009

    Report on gasshuku 2009
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  • Club awards

    Winners of all the awards
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  • 10th Anniversary

    Celebrating ten years of our club
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  • Gasshuku 2008

    Report on gasshuku 2008
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  • New Shodans

    Congratulations to Andy Skarpellis & Neil Paul on their new black belts
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  • New Shodan

    Congratulations to Chris Pitt on his new black belt
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  • Cheshunt Karate Club in the community

    Cheshunt Karate Club at Fairfields School with Sainsburys Active Kids
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  • Christmas 2005

    Christmas with cheshunt karate club
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  • Gasshuku 2005

    Report on gasshuku 2005
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  • New Shodan

    Congratulations to Les Boughey on his black belt
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  • Gasshuku 2004

    The first Gasshuku for Cheshunt karate club
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  • Sensei Pell 5th Dan

    Sensei pell gets awarded 5th Dan
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