Junior Jitsu
About this club
Junior Jitsu is the association’s Saturday morning Ju Jitsu club for six to fourteen year olds, running from half nine until eleven at the Lakeside Methodist Centre on Barnsley Road. Ju Jitsu works close in, where karate leaves off — throws, locks, holds and getting safely back to your feet — and a weekend morning suits it. There is time to work properly through a technique, and no school night waiting at the end of it.
It is run by Sensei Ruth Walker — 5th Dan in karate, with Black Belts in Ju Jitsu and Kobu Jutsu — who started training at nine in her home town in East Yorkshire and joined WYSOK after moving to the area. Sensei Mark Valente teaches here too, alongside running his own club over at Normanton, and between the instructors on a Saturday morning there are grades across karate, Ju Jitsu and the weapons syllabuses. That is a lot of experience to have in a children’s class, and it shows most in how carefully the throwing and groundwork are taught.
Class timetable
| Day | Time | Class | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 9:30am – 11:00am | Ju Jitsu — all grades | 6–14 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.