Gorse Karate
About this club
Gorse Karate trains on a Wednesday evening at The Ruth Gorse Academy on Black Bull Street, a short way out of Leeds city centre. Wado Ryu Karate is taught in a single two-hour class for all grades, open to anyone from six years old upwards, so beginners work in the same hall as black belts from their very first night.
The club is led by Sensei Frankie Preston — 4th Dan in karate, with Black Belts in tonfa, Kobu Jutsu and iai — but she is far from the only instructor on the mat. Gorse has an unusually deep bench of teachers, holding grades between them across several different styles, which means a student here gets more than one pair of eyes on them and more than one way of being shown the same thing. The club also has a strong record in local tournaments and always puts a full team in. Nobody has to compete, and plenty of students never do — but if you want to, this is a very good club to do it from.
Class timetable
| Day | Time | Class | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | 6:00pm – 8:00pm | Wado Ryu Karate — all grades |
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: LS10 1HW.
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.