Roffey Karate Club under the direction of Sensei* Phil Smith (*translated as 'Instructor'), teaches the WADO RYU style of Japanese Karate. This style is lighter than most and incorporates evasive and sweeping movements in defence which means it is very suitable for student of all ages and sizes. The founder Hironori Ohtsuka trained originally in Ju Jitsu so there is evidence of that in Wado Ryu karate.

Master Hironori Ohtsuka born in Japan 1892, the founder of the Wado-Ryu style of Karate. "the difference between the possible and the impossible is one's will,"

Professor Ohtsuka's style of Karate Wado-Ryu is an excellent style to study, especially if starting later in life. A focus on minimising wasted effort and maximising use of hip twist, enable much power and speed to be generated even when one's body is slowing through age.

It has been stated that Professor Ohtsuka was in his physical and mental prime from his early fifties to his late sixties. Sensei Phil hopes to reinforce this perspective himself now that he too, is approaching this age category.

My involvement with the Martial Arts started in June 1986 at the age of 35, at Sensei Elliott's Dojo in Horsham. At first it was an often thought about replacement for a waning football career. However I had no idea how training in the Martial Arts would impact on my whole life.

Chronologically my career in Wado Ryu karate is as follows;

I have also studied WUDANG style Tai Chi Chuan with Peter Ballam who is an Instructor with Dan Docherty's practical Tai Chi Chuan group. Firstly in 1991-2 then again from early 2004 continuing now.

I also trained for 18 months in Wing Chun Kung Fu, with Sensei Gary Hawes, under Sifu Bill Bostock as part of Master Kevin Chan's KAMON Wing Chun Association, reaching the third grade level ( Red 1).

I am a qualified Personal Protection / Safety Instructor with the British Self Defence Governing Body, having undertaken their Advanced Certificate. I am qualified to deliver courses in Personal Protection, Personal Safety, Management of Confrontation, handling Violence and Aggression at work and the aspects of Law and Legislation relating to these areas.

I am also a qualified practitioner in REIKI.

REIKI is a healing practice which focuses on the use of energy to help with the healing process, whether specific or non- specific. It can be used as for self healing or to help others.The energy can be likened to CHI (Chinese ) or KI ( Japanese ) and that is what your Martial Arts training is also seeking to use. It can be closely linked to the practice of CHI KUNG and TAI CHI. I practice the BA DUA JIN ( 8 Reels of silk Brocade) CHI KUNG whenever I can.

Training in these arts has helped me immensely in understanding how to relax, both in my technique, and in my life, dramatically improving my response times and reflexes in many situations.

Making full use of my energy in all aspects of my practice has also helped me understand the use of closer range techniques. I hope I am able to pass on some of the benefits of this training to the students at Roffey Karate club.

Personally the impact of Karate-do on my life and career cannot be measured, but I have come to appreciate the true essence of Karate-do, as a 'Way of Life'. I cannot overstate the impact correct training in the Martial Arts can have on one's physical and mental well-being. As many do I have had to deal with some significant life-events and I am convinced that my Martial Arts training was the vehicle, which enabled me to, not only deal with the rigours which life deals us but to develop because of them.

As an instructor with my own students I am learning much about myself and the benefits of Martial Arts Training. The growth in the strength, balance and ability of my students is often inspirational. The progress they make in their characters and personalities has been noticeable to parents. This drives me to continue to strive for that development within myself.

Growth mentally is as vital and the discipline Karate-do brings, along with the vitality it creates, has helped my desire to advance in all aspects of my life. I feel that this supports the words of Master Funakoshi who said ' life through Karate-do is life itself, public and private' (Karate-do Kyohan. Gichin Funakoshi Ward Lock Limited 1972).