It was June 1983 when I was made redundant from my job. I was feeling a little low at the time; a friend of mine suggested that I came along to a local Karate Club. He had joined the Club a few weeks earlier and was enjoying it; ‘Come on, it will give you something to do’ he smiled. The next night, with apprehension, I entered the Club and sat down to watch. My friend joined the class, Sensei Conroy was teaching a beginners class.

My first thought was ‘I couldn’t do this, I’m too flat footed and clumsy’. I continued to watch and started to enjoy what I saw. The beginner’s class finished and on came all the different coloured belts. The surroundings completely changed, this session was a lot faster. I watched two black belts do some sparring, which I thought looked very majestic. When the class finished I approached Sensei Conroy and asked if I could join the Club. He looked up at me smiled and said ‘certainly, ever done it before?‘ I just smiled back and said I am a complete novice. Sensei Conroy gave a lot of confidence and encouragement to me that night.

I joined the class the next night with about twenty-five other beginners. Sensei Conroy gave us a short rest during the session; he told us that every one of us was capable of getting our black belts. For the next three days I ached in places I never knew could ache. Twenty years later here I am still going strong, the friendship I have made is priceless Learning karate has made me feel much fitter and gave me a good healthy life style. Mentally, it gave me a lot more confidence to keep trying and never give up on anything I do in and out of the Karate club. Karate for me is great hobby and pass time, a last resort of self-defense.