Instructors – Shikkari Karate Kai

Shihan Brett Wilkinson

Sensei Brett is a 6th Dan and has 26 years of experience in karate but has also briefly touched upon other arts such as Boxing, Kick boxing and Jujitsu along the way. Brett has had a great deal of personal success over his career, in achieving his current grade of Black Belt 6th Dan, winning the individual N.K.A Karate Championships three times and won Coach of the year at Active Durham's Sport and Physical Activity Awards 2017 . His biggest success however lies within his students goals and their achievements. Brett has the relevant coaching qualifications and is a fully qualified senior instructor and examiner within the martial art of karate.

Sensei Tony Smith

Sensei Tony Smith first started training in karate in1984 for 8 years, which he achieved his 2nd Dan black belt. After returning and training for a further seven years Tony has now gained his current status of 3rd Dan black belt.

His passion and enthusiasm for karate has grown stronger than ever, also teaching the kids club on a Sunday has grown stronger and watching them achieve their own personal goals, helps keeps his passion and enthusiasm.

Tony is looking forward to extending his knowledge within the club not only teaching but learning as well, over the next coming years he will hopefully undertake his 4th Dan as his next goal.

Sensei Grace Jackson

Grace is a 2nd Dan and first began training in Shotokan karate back in 1984. After gaining her black belt at 16, she continued to train in karate and then later in kick boxing and Thai boxing for a further 14 years. After a break from martial arts, Grace has returned to Shotokan karate and has found that her passion for the sport has been renewed since joining S.S.K. As well as being great for fitness, karate teaches discipline, control, self defence and respect and Grace is a firm believer that karate can enhance the lives of all its practitioners.

Sensei Alan Cullen

Sensei Alan began training with SKK back in 1998 successfully achieving his Black belt 1st Dan. After continuing his training for a further year he left the club due to work commitments. Never losing his love for karate he would occasionally drop in and train whenever he was back in the area. Now back full time and recently gaining his Black belt 2nd Dan, the hunger to learn and pass on his own knowledge is greater than ever.

Sensei Catherine Cullen

Cat first joined SKK in 1998 and soon achieved her 1st Dan Black Belt in 2003 at the age of 16. Cat left the club in 2005 to pursue a full time career abroad and eventually returned to SKK in 2016. Cat is currently working towards to her 2nd Dan and aims to grade in March 2017 ( or face the wrath of Shihan Brett). Cat became a Sensei earlier this year and has quickly taken an active role, alongside her brother Sensei Alan, to develop Team Shikkari Competition Squad in providing additional kumite and kata training as well as organising and representing SKK across the North East Region. Cat also assists at our children’s classes and supports our younger members through her experience of childcare and teaching assistant. Cat’s love for karate and the SKK family is ever increasing, she is highly motivated, determined and a fierce competitor.