Sensei Sherlock is co-founder and chief instructor of the USKFI and has practiced Shotokan since 1982. Awarded Shodan in 1986, he currently holds Rokudan (6th) Dan, from the Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB).

Sensei Sherlock has competed domestically and internationally, representing Ireland with distinction. He has travelled the world to compete and coach at ESKA, WSKA and JKA events, and is a multiple medal winner for Ireland. Sensei’s achievements have been recognised by distinguished karate instructors in the UK and worldwide and he is a qualified Instructor Assessor for the KUGB.

Committed to growing traditional Shotokan Karate in Ireland, as both a vehicle for personal development and as a competitive sport. He takes great pride in watching student’s progress through the grades, and helping them to push themselves to the next level of karate development.

Sensei Royle began training in 1983 and successfully competed at the highest national and international levels. He is a co-founder, chairman, squad coach and grading examiner for the USKF Ireland.

Sensei Royle has exceptional karate knowledge supported by an extensive sports science background. He holds a MSc. in Applied Sports Coaching and a BSc. (Hons) in Sports Management and Coaching. Sensei Royle is a qualified strength and conditioning coach and has achieved level 3 fitness instructor and level 4 personal trainer from the European Qualification Framework (EQF) meeting the highest standards of excellence within the industry and accredited by the registered exercise professional of Ireland (REPS Ireland).

He continues to train and teach enthusiastically, remaining disciplined and professional while refining his craft, his work ethic sets standards for his students to follow. He is approachable and supportive, with a profound core value of developing students to be the best version of themselves.

Sensei Rhonda Hoban started Shotokan karate in 1981 at aged 9. She attained her Shodan in 1984 under the legendary Japanese Sensei Nakayama. At that time, at 12 yrs old she was the youngest female Blackbelt in Ireland. In 1992 Sensei Hoban obtained her Nidan from Sensei Enoeda the formidable “Tiger” of Shotokan Karate. Having won many titles in National and International competitions including as a European (ESKA) medalist Sensei Hoban preformed in a short RTE documentary demonstrating the art of Kata.

Sensei Hoban established the Navan Shotokan Karate Club in 2007 giving rise to many students obtaining senior Dan grade level along with National / International titles of their own. She is qualified in Sports specific coaching level 4 with Sport Ireland and has taught Inclusion specific karate with spina bifida Ireland, Ripple and Down syndrome Ireland. She is also Child Officer, First Responder and has a Business Management Degree. She is qualified as a USKFI Referee and Judge, and an assistant coach to the USKFI National and International squad. Sensei Rhonda Hoban is an advocate for women in karate.

Sensei Bernard Gaffney has been a dedicated karateka since beginning his karate journey back in 1981. He made the move to Shotokan karate in 1992 and has been training exclusively in the style ever since.

He attained his 5th Dan in 2021 under the Karate Union Great Britain grading panel headed by chief instructor Sensei F. Brennan. Sensei Gaffney’s roles U.S.K.F.I. include, Vice Chairperson, Events Officer, Secretary Referee & Judges Technical Committe.

He qualified to referee with the following ; Karate Union Great Britain (K.U.G.B.), European Shotokan Karate Association (E.S.K.A.) World Shotokan Karate Association (W.S.K.A.) and has officiated at numerous International Championships in many countries, proudly representing both U.S.K.F.I. & Ireland.

Phibblestown Senior Instructor Eleanore Coates began her Karate journey at eight years old under the tuition of Sensei David Royle in the Corduff Karate Club. At eleven years old, with the rank of 4th Kyu Eleanore’s family moved from the area and she had to put her Karate journey on hold before returning as an adult. At 25 Eleanore attained her Shodan and most recently in October 2022 she attained her Godan under the KUGB grading panel of Sensei Frank Brennan, Sensei Billy Higgins and Sensei Garry Harford. Sensei Eleanore has competed both Nationally and internationally for many years claiming many titles along the way before retiring from competition in 2018 to focus on her students.

Sensei Peter O’Brien trained 20 years at KUGB and USKFI clubs, and seminars from Irish, UK and Japanese masters to become USKFI instructor, and USKFI judge/referee. He started GSKC, Feb 2008, giving ~2000 lessons with multiple, external demos and seminars including in self-defense. GSKC hosts USFKI-master seminars, with “meet and greets” with the master. Dozens of GSKC black belts and competition-wins were achieved, including his 3 children. He is now in training for 5th dan.

Lead instructor in Kingscourt Georgia Thunder has been developing and promoting Karate in Cavan for almost 20 years.

Sensei Thunder is also a qualified fitness instructor and personal trainer with the NTC college of Ireland.

She is also fully qualified in First aid and child safeguarding.

Sensei James Hughes started his Karate journey back in 2004 in the Newbridge Dojo where he trained under Sensei Keith Sherlock 5th Dan and Sensei Michael Sherlock Snr 1st Dan. He has always been sports orientated from a young age. As a student, he has competed at national and international levels. In 2008, Sensei Hughes passed his 1st Dan Black Belt (Shodan), in 2014 he passed his 2nd Dan (Nidan) and in 2018 passed 3rd Dan (Sandan) all under examination from the KUGB Senior instructors.

Sensei Hughes has a passion for working with individuals with behavioural and special needs. He began working in this area when he qualified as a teacher back in 2017.

Sensei Susi Passas started karate in 2009 with Sensei O’Brien. She is GSKC Assistant Instructor, Child Protection Officer, Designated Liaison, and first aider. She competed and placed in national competitions and is a USKFI judge officiating at USKFI competitions, training to become a referee.

Amanda discovered karate relatively late in life when encouraged to join the local dojo with her young children. A long time hill and trail runner, she took to karate with gusto, beginning her journey with a double grade, a Kyu grade National Championship Kata title within the first year. She continued to compete and attained her First Dan in April of 2016. Second Dan followed in 2018 along with several months employment as a Martial Artist on the set of AMC’s “Into The Badlands” (and American TV series staring Daniel Wu). She trained throughout the Covid pandemic, often in isolation, and was awarded 3rd Dan in Nov 2021. Amanda completed her training as a USKFI competition judge in 2022, completed a Sports Ireland Coaching course (tailored for coaching girls in Sport), and is a qualified First Aider.

Gina joined the Lucan dojo in 2012 as a white belt in an adult only taster session. She quickly developed a taste for karate and went on to successfully climb the ranks to her current level as a 3rd Dan.

Having ran Adamstown Dojo as her own club for approximately 2 years, Gina is now Sempai to Sensei Sherlock after Adamstown Dojo and Lucan Dojo amalgamated after 2020.

Gina enjoys coaching the club's students through local competition's and is always on hand in class to help students out. Her favourite Kata is Gojushiho-sho, with Mawashageri kick and empi strike as her favourite moves.

"I still get excited by karate, the same, if not more, than when I first joined”

Neil Anderson - Senior Instructor at Blacklion, started to practise Karate relatively late in life . In his first grading in March 2010, he double-graded to 8th Kyu. In 2015 , he attained his 1st Dan and opened the doors of the club with David Walsh. Since then , Neil attained his 2nd Dan in 2018 and then 3rd Dan in 2021.

Being a dedicated Karateka, he continues to train regularly in both Ireland and in the UK- including lessons in the world famous Red Triangle club in Liverpool.

Being a progressive and innovative Instructor,under his guidance, the clubs students have enjoyed continued success at both gradings and USKFI competitions.

Sensei Leon Hoban started his karate journey at age 5 with Navan Shotokan Karate Club when it was established in 2007. He achieved his Shodan black belt aged 9 making him one of the youngest members to obtain this achievement. He was subsequently awarded Nidan black belt at the age of 11 in 2013. Throughout his competitive karate career Sensei Leon Hoban has accomplished many National, International and European titles in both kata and kumite. In 2016 he achieved the title of European Kata gold medalist in all styles CIKA championships. In addition he was ranked 5th for kata the following year in ESKA and holds the current title of Junior kata champion KUGB and senior Kata and Kumite champion USKFI.

Sensei Leon Hoban is assistant instructor at the Navan Shotokan Karate Club. He is also a first aider and children’s officer.

A latecomer to karate, Jimmy has made up for lost time by training regularly under Sensei Sherlock at the Lucan dojo. Jimmy started in 2013, when Sensei Sherlock ran introductory lessons for a group of parents that had kids training at the club. The group quickly moved to training with the main class, and since then he has rarely missed a training session. His favourite Kata is Jitte.

Jimmy achieved Shodan in 2017, Nidan in 2021, qualified as a USKFI judge in 2018 and a USKFI referee in 2022.

Anne began her karate journey alongside her sons in 2012 and had the pleasure of attaining her first Dan with them some 5/6 years later.

A dedicated supporter of her sport, she moved from the competition floor to record and scorekeeping at all USKFI events, quickly becoming a senior scorekeeper and instructor to new candidates. She gained her 2nd Dan in 2021 and shortly thereafter began her studies as competition Judge, attaining this qualification in September 2022.

Anne is Child Safety Officer for Blacklion club and has attained Safeguarding 2 level training with Sport Ireland. She continues to train at the highest level, including with KUGB at Advanced Kata and Kumite seminars.