Newmillerdam Karate Club
About this club
Newmillerdam is the home club of the association — the one WYSOK grew out of — and it has run continuously since the earliest days of the organisation. Wado Ryu Karate is taught on a Tuesday and a Thursday evening at the Lakeside Methodist Centre on Barnsley Road, from seven until half eight, for ages ten and upwards. Sessions are mixed-grade: white belts train alongside black belts, which is how Wado Ryu has always been taught here, with the group split by grade for the technical part of each night.
Sensei Shane Walker, WYSOK’s Chief Instructor, teaches here — 7th Dan in karate, 6th Dan in Ju Jitsu — and he is one of several senior grades on the mat on any given night. Between them the instructors at Newmillerdam hold Black Belts in karate, Ju Jitsu, kickboxing and the Okinawan weapons, which is part of what comes with being the club the association grew out of. For a beginner it means there is always someone experienced within arm’s reach; for anyone who wants to take it further, there is plenty of room to.
Class timetable
| Day | Time | Class | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | 7:00pm – 8:30pm | Wado Ryu Karate — all grades | 10+ |
| Thursday | 7:00pm – 8:30pm | Wado Ryu Karate — all grades | 10+ |
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.