Newmillerdam Pee Wee Karate Club
About this club
The Newmillerdam Pee Wee class is for four to eleven year olds, running for an hour on a Tuesday and a Thursday evening at the Lakeside Methodist Centre on Barnsley Road. It sits straight before the main club session in the same hall, so a family with children either side of that age makes one trip out rather than two.
It is run by Sensei Diane Townsend — 5th Dan in karate, with Black Belts in bo and Kobu Jutsu — who first came to the club in 2001 to train alongside her own daughter and has been here ever since. She is one of several experienced instructors at Newmillerdam holding grades across a range of styles, so the youngest class is taught to exactly the same standard as the rest of the club rather than being treated as a warm-up for it. Children who carry on move up into the main session in the same hall, with the same faces around them.
Class timetable
| Day | Time | Class | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 6:00pm – 7:00pm | Wado Ryu Karate — all grades | 4–11 years |
| Thursday | 6:00pm – 7:00pm | Wado Ryu Karate — all grades | 4–11 years |
Term-time and holiday variations are announced in class and on the club’s Facebook page.
What to bring to your first session
Nothing you do not already own. A T-shirt and jogging bottoms, bare feet, and a bottle of water. Once you decide to continue you will need a gi (suit) and a NAKMAS licence — the instructor will sort both, and there is no rush.
Getting here & parking
Yes
Postcode for satnav: WF2 6QQ.
Common questions
Do I need a karate suit to start?+
No. Come in a T-shirt and jogging bottoms for your first few sessions. You train barefoot, so no trainers are needed either. Once you decide to carry on, your instructor will sort out a gi and a licence — there is no rush and no pressure.
How much does it cost?+
You pay per session, on the night. There is no joining fee, no contract and no monthly direct debit. Your first session is free so you can see whether it suits you before spending anything.
What age can my child start?+
Our Pee Wee classes take children from four years old, in separate shorter sessions pitched at that age group. Main classes generally start from around ten, though this varies by club — ask the instructor.
Can I stay and watch my child?+
Ask the instructor at your club. Some halls have room for parents to sit in and some do not, so it varies from venue to venue.
How often are gradings?+
Kyu gradings run roughly every three to four months across the association. Your instructor will tell you when you are ready — nobody is pushed to grade before they are.
Are the instructors checked?+
Every WYSOK instructor holds an enhanced DBS certificate, current first aid training and full insurance through our NAKMAS affiliation.