|  | News Archive |  |   | 
           
            |  | September 2023 |  | 
           
            |  | Celebrating a lot of hard work and activity over the last few 
                years, we are pleased to congratulate Sensei Calista Maund on 
                achieving her Senior 1st Dan grade - a well deserved result.  
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            |  | June 2019 |  | 
           
            |  | WHPS Summer Fayre saw a good turnout 
              for the karate and kobudo demonstration, raising over £52 
              for school funds in the bucket! |  | 
           
            |  | April 2019 |  | 
           
            |  | Congratulations to Sensei Tom Dawes who gained 
                his 2nd Dan black-belt and to Sensei Thomas Smith who successfully 
                graded to 1st Dan Cadet. Well done to both of you, keep up the 
                good work! 
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            |  | November 2018 |  | 
           
            |  | Congratulations to all students who 
              were successful in their grading. Keep up the good work! |  | 
           
            |  | March 2018 |  | 
           
            |  | After a hard grading, we can now welcome five 
                new Junior 1st Dan grades to the Association. Congratulations 
                to Sensei Tara Dakin, Sensei Tom Dawes, Sensei William Eyre, Sensei 
                Thomas Eyre, and Sensei Harrison Plumb, pictured below with Sensei 
                Duncan Hardy. This is the first time that the British Go-Dai 
                Association has ever had twins pass a Junior Dan grading!
 
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            |  | Decmber 2017 |  | 
           
            |  | Our annual Karate Christmas Disco was well attended 
                and enjoyed by all students...
 
  
   A visit from Santa ensured no-one went home 
                empty handed:   
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            |  | November 2017 |  | 
           
            |  | A smaller than usual grading surprised us with 
                top marks for most students - you are showing some great potential! 
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            |  | July 2017 |  | 
           
            |  | A successful demonstration was held at Clay 
                Cross bi-annual gala, showcasing our karate, ju-jitsu and kobudo 
                skills.  Another excellent grading result for our students 
                to keep on the path to success! |  | 
           
            |  | March 2017 |  | 
           
            |  | Well done to all students successful in this 
                month's grading. |  | 
           
            |  | December 2016 |  | 
           
            |  | The British Go-Dai Association welcomes two 
                new senior 1st Dan Black-belts - congratulations to Senseis Steven 
                Whitehead and William Ashley and one new Junior 1st Dan - Sensei 
                Luke Goodman - your training and hard work has paid off! A Christmas Disco rounded off the year with 
                a visit from Santa! |  | 
           
            |  | November 2016 |  | 
           
            |  | Record numbers attended the grading - an excellent 
                success rate for our students - well done! |  | 
           
            |  | June 2016 |  | 
           
            |  | Congratulations to all students successful in 
                their grading - another set of great results. |  | 
           
            |  | March 2016 |  | 
           
            |  | Congratulations to all students successful in 
                their grading - keep up the good work! |  | 
           
            |  | December 2015 |  | 
           
            |  | The annual karate disco was enjoyed by all at WHPS school. The British Go-Dai Association is pleased to announce the promotion 
                of three of its top karate instructors: Sensei Nigel B Briggs 
                gains his 5th Dan black-belt and Senseis Patrick Kelly and Jason 
                Nesbeth are both awarded 4th Dan status. All three were presented with their awards by Sensei Duncan Hardy, 
                Chairman of the Association, announced by the Association's Secretary, 
                Sensei June Hardy. Congratulations to you all; you have shown great dedication, 
                determination and self-discipline in your training and coaching 
                of your students. |  | 
           
            |  | November 2015 |  | 
           
            |  | Another night out with Holymoorside 
              Beavers this time - all enjoyed their training session. |  | 
           
            |  | September 2015 |  | 
           
            |  | Matlock Go-Dai Karate Club provided 
              some training at the local scout, cubs and beavers entertainment 
              evening. |  | 
           
            |  | June\July 2015 |  | 
           
            |  | Demonstrations at WHPS school and 
              Clay Cross Gala entertained the crowds once again on two fine sunny 
              days. |  | 
           
            |  | December 2014 |  | 
           
            |  | The annual Christmas Disco topped 
              off a busy year and was enjoyed by all at WHPS school. |  | 
           
            |  | July 2014 |  | 
           
            |  | A fine Summer day helped to bring 
              in the crowds at the annual Summer Fayre at WHPS school, raising 
              £70 for school funds. |  | 
           
            |  | December 2013 |  | 
           
            |  | 2013 was topped-off with a fantastic Christmas Disco, with three 
                special awards to the Association's Dan grades. Sensei Duncan 
                Hardy was awarded 7th Dan by the Association's Dan Grade Committee 
                in recognition for the years of dedication he has given to the 
                martial arts. Senseis Paige Beswick and James Aldridge were also 
                awarded 2nd Dan Junior status for the committment they have shown 
                to their Sensei and the martial arts. Congratulations on your 
                well deserved successes! Congratulations to the Associations newest Dan grades: Sensei 
                Louise Nunns and Sensei Jaidene Parks, both achieve 1st Dan Senior 
                status and Sensei Matthew Swindell 1st Dan Junior. You have all 
                worked hard for your success - well done!
 DISCO DISCO - we have had some enquiries about who the disco was 
                (it was so good) and whether you can book it for your private 
                party, so we have decided to put a link to their website: Mobile 
                Disco. Please mention the British Go-Dai Association.
 |  | 
           
            |  | September 2013 |  | 
           
            |  | It is with regret and sadness that 
              we announce the death of Sensei Charles Smith, 4th Dan. He was a 
              dediated martial artist and will be missed by all Students and Senseis. |  | 
           
            |  | June\July 2013 |  | 
           
            |  | A busy couple of months for the British 
              Go-Dai demonstration team; karate and kobudo demonstrations were 
              held for Matlock Beaver Group, WHPS primary school Summer Fayre 
              and Clay Cross Gala. |  | 
           
            |  | December 2012 |  | 
           
            |  | A special presentation was held at the annual karate disco to 
                Senseis Charles Smith and June Hardy, both being awarded 4th Dan 
                status for all their hard work and years of dedication to their 
                martial art - well done! The British Go-Dai Association welcomes eight (!) new junior 
                1st Dan grades from Matlock and WHPS clubs. Congratulations to: 
                Sensei Chloe Arbury, Sensei Jo Wilmot, Sensei Charlotte Gale, 
                Sensei Sam Bray, Sensei Barney Newman, Sensei Connor Briggs, Sensei 
                Dan Bond and Sensei Tom Stevenson.
 The annual karate disco was another success - thanks to all who 
                attended. Special mention to Sensei Jo Wilmot for her "Gangnam 
                Style" dance - video avaiable on request! |  | 
           
            |  | December 2011 |  | 
           
            |  | Congratulations to Sensei Louise Nunns on gaining your 2nd Dan 
                junior black-belt - you have shown great dedication to your art. 
                Best wishes for your studies for your senior Dan grade. Another great time was had by all students at the Christmas disco 
                at WHPS school. |  | 
           
            |  | September 2011 |  | 
           
            |  | Matlock Go-Dai Karate 
              Club move to a new location - the ARC Leisure Centre, Matlock. |  | 
           
            |  | August 2011 |  | 
           
            |  | Another great demonstration of karate 
              and kobudo entertained the crowds at the 2011 Holymoorside Family 
              Fun Day. |  | 
           
            |  | July 2011 |  | 
           
            |  | Successful demonstrations at both 
              Darley Dale Primary school summer fair and the 2011 Clay Cross Gala 
              were enjoyed by all present. |  | 
           
            |  | June 2011 |  | 
           
            |  | A demonstration at WHPS Primary School raises £44 for school 
                funds at the school summer fair. Members of Matlock Go-Dai Karate Club entertained a local scout 
                group for an evening, enabling scout members to sample first hand 
                karate training techniques and some weapons training. |  | 
           
            |  | February 2011 |  | 
           
            |  | Sensei Paige Beswick of Matlock Go-Dai 
              Karate Club passes a hard grading for her 1st Dan Junior black-belt. 
              Well done Paige, you have worked hard for your success. |  | 
           
            |  | December 2010 |  | 
           
            |  | Five more Junior 1st Dan black-belts are welcomed into the British 
                Go-Dai Association. All five students from Walton Holymoorside 
                Karate School have trained since it opened in 2004 - well done 
                to you all - keep up the good work. Congratulations go to Sensei 
                Kate Mann, Sensei Rachel Taylor, Sensei Kayleigh Waller, Sensei 
                Scott Briggs and Sensei James Aldridge.
 Sensei Jason Nesbeth from Matlock and Sensei Patrick Kelley are 
                awarded 3rd Dan status after many years of loyal training. Congratulations 
                to you both, you have earned your grade.
 The British Go-Dai Association holds its annual Karate Disco at 
                WHPS school, which was well attended by nearly 100 students from 
                all clubs.
 |  | 
           
            |  | August 2010 |  | 
           
            |  | We were very lucky with the weather 
              when the Demonstration team produced a great display for the audience 
              and Chair of the Parish Council, Martin Thacker MBE, at Holymoorside 
              Family Fun Day. |  | 
           
            |  | July 2010 |  | 
           
            |  | The British Go-Dai Association Demonstration team perform a karate 
                and kobudo demonstration at the newly opened club at Skegby. Another successful demonstration quickly follows at Darley Dale 
                Primary School Summer Fair - the home of Matlock Go-Dai Karate 
                Club, raising £40.00 in the bucket for school funds. We then moved on to St Mary's RC Secondary School at Newbold 
                to hold a series of workshops for the out of school club's Japanese 
                week and finished off the day with a demonstration of karate and 
                kobudo to all those present. |  | 
           
            |  | June 2010 |  | 
           
            |  | WHPS Karate Club performs its annual demonstration at the school 
                Summer fair and raises £26.00 in the bucket for school funds. |  | 
           
            |  | December 2009 |  | 
           
            |  | The British Go-Dai Association welcomes 
              five new junior 1st Dan black-belts. Sensei Louise Nunns, Sensei 
              Ellie Blagdon, Sensei Alexander Ball, Sensei Alex Riddy and Sensei 
              Joe Braithwaite all achieved black-belt passes from the Association 
              Chairman Sensei Duncan Hardy 6th Dan. These are the first black-belt 
              passes achieved from the Walton Holymoorside Karate School since 
              it was formed in 2004. Congratulations to you all, you have all 
              worked very hard for your grading - be proud of your achievement. |  | 
           
            |  | November 2009 |  | 
           
            |  | The British Go-Dai Association holds its Junior Inter-Club Tournament. 
                Over 60 students from all Go-Dai clubs take part in a crowd pleasing 
                display of controlled fighting. Winners and runners-up are shown 
                below: 
                 
                  | Group | Winner | Runner-up |   
                  | A | Oscar Dale | Aidan Buckard |   
                  | B | Arron McArthur | Liam Walker |   
                  | C | Daniel Bond | Matthew Roberts |   
                  | D | Rachel Taylor | Scott Briggs |   
                  | E | Alexander Ball | Joe Braithwaite |  Well done to all students 
                taking part. Click here for photographs of the event
 The Duncan Hardy Award was presented to Paige Beswick in recognition 
                of the determination and effort she consistently puts into her 
                training. Well done Paige! Sensei Nigel B Briggs is named by Senesei Duncan Hardy as Vice 
                Chair of the British Go-Dai Association. |  | 
           
            |  | July 2009 |  | 
           
            |  | All British Go-Dai Association Clubs 
              join together to please the crowds at Clay Cross Gala with two karate 
              and kobudo demonstrations. The weather was fantastic; we could all 
              feel the heat! See the gallery for photographs of the event. |  | 
           
            |  | February 2009 |  | 
           
            |  | Sensei Lola O'Brien successfully achieves senior 1st Dan black-belt 
                status. After a tough grading chaired by Sensei Duncan Hardy 6th 
                Dan, Sensei Lola was finally awarded a deserving pass and becomes 
                Matlock's eighth black-belt. Well done!
 Sensei Nigel B Briggs, Chief instructor of Matlock Go-Dai Karate 
                Club was also awarded his 4th Dan grade by the Chairman of the 
                British Go-Dai Association, Sensei Duncan Hardy 6th Dan.
 |  | 
           
            |  | December 2008 |  | 
           
            |  | Matlock Go-Dai Karate Club celebrates 
              20 years in 2009 with a disco for all junior grades. This was a 
              great success, although some of you need to practise your "Can 
              Can" skills! See you all at next year's disco! |  | 
           
            |  | March 2007 |  | 
           
            |  | Sensei Lola O'Brien from Matlock 
              Go-Dai Karate Club completes her Junior 1st Dan black-belt grade. 
              Well done Lola, keep up the good work! |  | 
           
            |  | December 2006 |  | 
           
            |  | Sensei Bradley Brooks becomes Matlock's 
              sixth black-belt after a tough grading for his Junior 1st Dan grade. 
              Well done Bradley, you worked really hard for your success. |  | 
           
            |  | December 2004 |  | 
           
            |  | The British 
              Go-Dai Association welcomes three more 1st Dan Black-Belts - Sensei 
              Ann Hardy from Birdholme (Snr), Sensei Thomas Barker from Matlock 
              and Sensei William Ashley from St Peter and St Paul Club. Congratulations 
              to you all on your success - keep up the good work. |  | 
           
            |  | November 2004 |  | 
           
            |  | Sensei Nigel Briggs opens a new karate 
              school at Walton Holymoorside Primary School, for under 16's to 
              learn karate. |  | 
           
            |  | April 2004 |  | 
           
            |  | Matlock Go-Dai Karate Club learns 
              that it has been successful in its Lottery bid for funding for three 
              portable electric heaters and promotional literature. |  | 
           
            |  | February 2004 |  | 
           
            |  | Matlock Karate 
              Club holds its first AGM and formally changes to club status. The 
              club's constitution is approved and members voted onto the committee. |  | 
           
            |  | January 2004 |  | 
           
            |  | Matlock Karate 
              School revisits its roots and moves back to Chatsworth Hall Gym 
              on Wellington Street. This is where the school first started training 
              back in 1989! |  | 
           
            |  | July 2003 |  | 
           
            |  | The British 
              Go-Dai Association web site receives its first 1,000 hits. |  | 
           
            |  | December 2002 |  | 
           
            |  | Sensei Jason 
              Nesbeth of Matlock Karate School gains his 2nd Dan qualification 
              after a tough Dan grading held in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, under 
              the watchful eye of British Go-Dai Association Chairman Sensei Duncan 
              Hardy. Kevin Yip, also of Matlock Karate School also gained his 
              first Dan black-belt. Junior grades also taking their first Dan black-belts included Sherelle 
              Mellors of Birdholme Karate Club and Joshua Innes and Sara Christian 
              of St. Peter and St. Paul karate club.
 |  | 
           
            |  | November 2001 |  | 
           
            |  | The British 
              Go-Dai Association welcomes two more 1st Dan Black-Belts - Ashley 
              Holmes and Emma Bramall (Jnr). The two students have trained with 
              the Association for over 5 years. They completed an 8 hour grading 
              and were rewarded with their first Dan certificates. Sensei  Jason Nesbeth has been nominated for his 2nd Dan Black-Belt. 
              He now has a tough schedule to practise to be ready for his grading 
              next year.
 |  | 
           
            |  | October 2001 |  | 
           
            |  | Sensei June 
              Hardy, the secretary of the British Go-Dai Association, has been 
              honoured by the Amateur Martial Association (AMA), one of the principal 
              governing bodies for amateur martial arts in this country. She has 
              been awarded the grade of 3rd Dan in karate in recognition of her 
              services to the martial arts over the years. Particular thanks and congratulations go to Sensei June from the 
              British Go-Dai Association for the tireless effort which she puts 
              in to organise not only the business of the Association, but all 
              the courses, parties, gradings and other events. Congratulations 
              from us all.
 The British Go-Dai Association is proud to announce that a number 
              of its senior black-belts have also been successful in attaining 
              higher Dan grades:
 Sensei David Robinson is now a 4th Dan in Karate as well as holding 
              a 1st Dan in Ju-Jitsu.
 Sensei Ann Hardy has gained her 4th Dan in Ju-Jitsu and Senseis 
              Nigel B Briggs, Paul Beet, Charles Smith and Mark Mellors have all 
              been successful in grading for 3rd Dan in Karate.
 The Association now has some of the best qualified instructors in 
              the area, all actively involved in various clubs throughout Derbyshire.
 
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