Details available via Google classroom

Are you ready to start refereeing or judging ? Or take your current expertise to the next level? The USKFI Referees and Judges Courses are FREE and open to all dan grades ahead 18 and over. These courses are designed to unravel the rules of competition officiating in a positive and welcoming environment through practical scenarios and guidance from our most senior referees. Whether you're a seasoned referee or have never donned a blazer, come along and improve your knowledge.

Register your interest in advance via email uskfirefs@gmail.com

Designed and delivered by Sensei Jennifer Prendergast (6th Dan), this course supports brown and black belts preparing for Dan gradings by focusing on the areas that most impact performance.

Training will focus on efficient use of energy and breathing, refined timing in kata and kumite, and effective distance, ensuring every technique is delivered with purpose and no wasted energy.

What to expect:
• Structured kihon combinations with focus on breathing and energy efficiency
• Grading specific special combinations
• Kata training to develop rhythm, flow, and momentum
• One for One kumite drills to challenge habitual distance
• Grade appropriate kumite with emphasis on timing, distance, and energy transfer

Dont forget to bring your coursebook. Regular attendance at USKFI courses is ba prerequisite for Dan gradings.

Registration now closed

Details available via Google classroom

Our popular Introduction to Kumite course for orange to brown belts is back!

Led by our Squad Coach Sensei David Royle 7th dan, you will learn timing and distance, defensive strategies, effective counter attacks, how to close distance and much more!

By the end of the class, you will have gained practical tools to improve your kumite, whether you are new to kumite or looking to take your skills to the next level.

Registrations are now closed….

Join us for our first USKFI event of the year, led by Sensei Michael Sherlock (7th Dan). This course will focus on kata and kumite for senior grades.

The course provides an excellent opportunity to train under an experienced instructor, revisit key principles, and approach the year ahead with renewed focus and purpose. A valuable chance to shake off the cobwebs, reconnect with your training, and set a strong foundation for the year ahead.

Registrations now closed ….

Login details to be sent to instructors in advance

The final brown and black belt course of the year with Sensei David Royle for Brown and Black will be a focused technical session and is one not to be missed.

This course will improve understanding and execution of jiyu ippon and kaeshi ippon kumite by focusing on speed, timing and distance. Students will develop tactics to close distance using multiple angles.

Participants will also refine kata execution through improving dynamic hip rotation, leg speed and efficiency as well as whole-body coordination.

Don’t forget regular attendance at USKFI courses is a pre-requisite when applying to take Dan gradings!

Registrations now closed……

Why try for the USKFI Squad?

• Registration 9.10am

• Class starts 9.30 sharp

  Competing on the USKFI Squad is your opportunity to elevate your skills, challenge yourself, and represent Ireland at international competition!. As a squad member, you’ll have the chance to:

• Compete Internationally: Represent Ireland in national, KUGB , European, and World Championships events!

• All Expenses Paid: Travel, accommodation, and entry fees for international competitions are covered by USKFI.

• Elite Training: Access specialised technical and tactical coaching, psychology, nutrition, and strength and conditioning sessions led by qualified coaches.

• Unmatched Support: Benefit from personalised guidance and mentorship from our experienced coaching team to help you excel.

Start your journey! If you dont try you will never know?

Don’t miss this chance to push your limits, showcase your skills on the global stage, and be part of an exceptional journey!

Open to all brown and back belts aged 10 years and above. Please bring a passport photo on the day along with mitts, gumshields and water.

Please arrive by 9.10am to allow for registration

Registration is now closed

We’re delighted to welcome Sensei Frank Brennan back to Ireland for the USKFI Seminar and Dan Grading at Corduff Sports Centre, Dublin. This is a fantastic opportunity for all USKFI members to train under one of the most respected karate instructors in the world.

Attendance is strongly recommended for all Brown and Black belts. For those selected to grade dont forget the full grading syllabus is always available on our website here

• First class 10.45-12pm

• Break

• Second class 12.15-1.30pm

• Dan grading starts at 2.30pm

Registration is now closed…………

Details at www.kugb.org

Grading in next 12 to 18 months?

This course is designed to refine your techniques, build confidence, and ensure you’re grading-ready. An essential step in your Dan grade journey.

Registration now closed ….

Join us for the USKFI Open Shotokan Cup 2025 on Sunday, October 19th at Phibblestown Sports Centre, Dublin 15. This exciting day of competition will feature a wide range of categories, offering something for karateka of all ages and levels. The event will showcase Shotokan at its best — spirit, technique, and mutual respect. Whether competing or cheering from the sidelines , all are invited to be part of this vibrant and memorable day.

USKFI members can enter as usual by speaking with their club instructor.

Non USKFI members are welcome to take part, but please ensure you have a valid licence and suitable insurance, and that all entries must come through your club instructor.

Spectators: Adults – €5 Children – €3.

Please note:

1. Further information is also available here on categories etc here.

2. Entries can only be made on the official entry form available here and sent via your by instructors only.

3. The final date for entries is the 12th October.

4. If you have any questions, your instructor can get in touch via the email uskfi.admin@gmail.com

Registration details to follow

Details available via Google classroom

4th Dan grading and above

Details to follow

All details available to squad members via Google Classroom

The USKFI are delighted to welcome back Sensei Sandy Rantzow (5th Dan, JKA Sweden) to Ireland this September. Sensei Rantzow has decades of top-level competition and teaching experience. Her impressive competition successes include:

• WSKA World Kata Champion

• ⁠ESKA European Kata champion

• ⁠JKA European Kata champion

Additionally, she was the first woman in JKA Sweden to achieve 5th Dan and is a qualified ESKA and WSKA international Kata and Kumite judge.

Class times

• First class 12.30 - 2pm

• (Break) 2 - 2.45pm

• Second class 2.45 - 4.15pm

This is an open course for brown and black belts and places are strictly limited – early booking is essential. Don’t miss the chance to train with one of Europe’s most accomplished female JKA instructors.

Registration is now closed…..

Our next Dan Prep course in Bray Co Wicklow continues the refine the work done in earlier sessions, focusing on helping students reach the standards required for Dan examinations.

Led by Sensei Jennifer Prendergast (6th Dan), the course will:

• Elevate your kihon, kata, and kumite

• Address common grading challenges and refine the finer points performance

• Strengthen technical accuracy, timing, and mindset

• Provide personalised corrections and feedback

These sessions are a vital step in ensuring you approach your Dan grading with confidence.

Registration is now closed…

All licensed members over 18 years strongly encouraged to attend.

Registration details to follow

Our brown and black belt kata course on August 16th will be instructed by Sensei David Royle 6th Dan. You will be learning kata Chinte, known for its unusual pattern and close quarter techniques. From there you will learn application of those techniques through bunkai.

Higher grades will be able to improve their timing and practical understanding of the kata, and develop their understanding of bunkai further. Following this section the class will focus on using the application process to further develop their favourite kata.

Registration is now closed

Our next course will be held on July 26th with Sensei Michael Sherlock 6th Dan. The focus of the first part of the course will be timing and distance in kumite, an area students often struggle with, both in gradings and in competitions. The second half will have brown belts working on Jion with dan grades studying Tekki Sandan. Register now!

Don’t forget regular attendance at USKFI courses is a pre-requisite when applying to take dan gradings.

Registration is now closed

Registration details to follow

Details at https://kugb.org/

We are looking forward to welcoming our brown and black belts to our June Kata Course this Saturday 21st.

Under the instruction of Sensei Michael Sherlock, 6th Dan, your understanding of kata will be taken to the next level.

Whether you're new to a kata, or fine-tuning your understanding of higher grade katas then you will benefit from this course. Brown belts will be taken though Bassai Dai and Empi, while Dan grades will concentrate on katas Unsu and Sochin. Registration now open!

Registration is now closed …….

The next USKFI Dan Grade Preparation Course is on the 7th June in our Corduff dojo.

In the fourth of our special dan grade preparation courses you will learn to optimise your energy usage during gradings and develop strategies to deliver effective techniques. You will also learn to improve body movement for successful defending and countering. The second half of the class will be devoted to compulsory katas. 

Led by Sensei Jennifer Prendergast (6th Dan) you don't need to be grading soon in order to avail of these classes; they're open to all brown and black belts, so register now!

Registration now closed

Registration details to follow