Karate Classes/Clubs for Adults and Children in Basildon, Billericay, Brentwood, Rayleigh and Wickford, Essex
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| Association Profile |
The Association in Japan and the U.K.
The Okinawa Karate Association U.K. is affiliated to the Okinawa Karate-Do Association, in Okinawa Japan. The Okinawan parent Association was formed 1989, by many of the high ranking black belts of the Uechi-Ryu Karate Association of Okinawa.
For some years the name of Uechi-Ryu was still used to describe the style, however on November 16th 1996, the Board of Directors of the Okinawa Karate-Do Association created a new name for the style calling it it Shohei-Ryu. The name was made from two Chinese characters, sho and hei. Sho meaning to shine brightly and hei meaning fairness, equality and peace. In 2017 it was announced that the name of the style would revert back to Uechi-Ryu.
The Okinawa Karate-Do Association have also added new kata, bunkai and kumites to the system.
The headquarters of the Okinawa Karate-Do Association is in Nakasonecho, Okinawa, Japan.
On the 1st January 2010, the Okinawa Karate Association U.K., Okikukai U.K. for short, was formed by Paul Natzyl, Kyoshi 7th Dan, after receiving the title of Shihan (Master) Instructor from the parent Association. Paul Natzyl's Essex based group of clubs known as the Shi Gakko Shudan (Four School Group) formed the basis for the new U.K. Association, which were to be joined shortly afterwards, by Derek Charlton's club in Bromley, Kent. Then on the 5th May 2011, Lee Adams club from Herne Bay, Kent. On the 18th July 2012, Tony Coles club in Grays, Essex and on the 5th November 2012, Nicholas Wilkins Club in Cambridge, Cambs. Lee Adam's has since left the Association, Tony Coles and Nicholas Wilkins have closed their clubs and Paul Natzyl has handed his clubs, the Shi Gakko Shudan, to Barry Coles. On the 10th October 2017 Paul Natzyl opened a club in Halstead, Essex and in February 2019 Derek Charlton's student Rodolfo Picciau opened a club in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. Derek Charlton's club has since closed and Barry Coles has expanded his group with the opening of a new club in Basildon, Essex, whilst some of his classes have been closed.
Click here for link to parent Association in Okinawa, Japan website
Head of the U.K. Association Paul Natzyl
Born in Upminster, Essex, England, Paul Natzyl started Karate in 1977 under Ron Ship at the Shenfield Sports Centre, Brentwood, Essex and has been teaching professionally since 1986. He achieved his Shodan (1st Dan Black Belt) in 1982 and in 2009 was also awarded the title of Shihan (Master Instructor) by the Okinawa Karate-Do Association, Japan. In 2010 Paul visited Okinawa and successfully passed a grading examination for the Master rank of Kyoshi 7th Dan.
Paul has made a study of other martial arts including Tai Chi, Ju Jitsu, Judo, Boxing, Kickboxing and Kung Fu along with other Karate styles. In addition to teaching the Uechi-Ryu syllabus, he often blends the techniques from these other arts and styles into his training sessions along with general Self-Defence.
Paul is Founder and President of the Okinawa Karate Association U.K. and the Shi Gakko Shudan based in Billericay, Brentwood, Rayleigh and Wickford in Essex and is an official representative in the U.K. of the Okinawa Karate-Do Association, Japan.
Instructor Lineage
Kanbun Uechi taught his son Kanei Uechi
Kanei Uechi taught George Mattson - Chairman of North American Association
George Mattson taught Ron Ship from England
Ron Ship taught Paul Natzyl
Click here for link to Association U.K. website