McKinstry Family Karate

How is a belt really earned?

One of the questions we're asked most often is:

"How long does it take to earn a Black Belt?"

The answer might surprise you.

At McKinstry Family Karate, belts aren't awarded simply because time has passed or because a grading fee has been paid.

Students are invited to grade only when they've demonstrated the required standard through commitment, technical ability, attitude and consistent effort.

In our latest article, we explain:

🥋 Our White Belt to Midnight Blue Belt journey
🥋 Why Tang Soo Do uses a Midnight Blue Belt instead of black
🥋 How BMABA and the Lifetime Student Grading Register (LSGR) support our standards
🥋 Why every belt should represent genuine achievement

If you're considering martial arts for yourself or your child, we hope it gives you a better understanding of how we approach training and progression.

📖 Read the full article here:
https://burscoughmartialarts.co.uk/post/how-belts-are-earned

Stand Strong. Grow Every Day. Fight for What's Right.

🥋 Why Families Train Differently at McKinstry Family Karate

When people hear "family martial arts", they often imagine parents and children training together in the same class.

At McKinstry Family Karate, we take a different approach. Each Family Member trains in the class most appropriate for them;

⭐ Little Dragons (3–6 years)
⭐ Junior Cadets (6–13 years)
⭐ Adults (14+ years)

Each programme is designed specifically for that stage of development, giving every student the best opportunity to learn, grow and enjoy their martial arts journey.

The result? Better coaching, greater confidence, stronger skills and a pathway the whole family can share.

Find out why our approach is different by reading our latest blog.

👉 https://burscoughmartialarts.co.uk/post/family-training-pathway

Why Families Train Differently at McKinstry Family Karate Discover why McKinstry Family Karate uses age-specific classes instead of traditional family classes. Little Dragons, Junior Cadets and adults each follow a pathway designed for their stage of development.

Team MFK after another fantastic display at Burscough Armed Forces & Community Day.
So proud of every student who represented McKinstry Family Karate with confidence, discipline and respect. A huge thank you to all our parents, families and supporters for making the day such a success.
Stand Strong. Grow Every Day. Fight for What's Right. 🥋🐉

Board Breaking at Newburgh Village Fair

🐉 The Dragons have landed at Newburgh Fair!

Our stand is open, the flags are flying, and we're getting ready for today's martial arts display.

If you've ever thought about trying karate, improving your confidence, fitness, self-defence skills, or finding an activity the whole family can enjoy together, come and have a chat with us.

🥋 Live display today 🥋 Children, Teens & Adults 🥋 Free Intro Lessons Available

Stand Strong. Grow Every Day. Fight for What is Right.

Come and find us at Newburgh Fair!

**17 Years of McKinstry Family Karate**

Seventeen years ago, this started with a little Vauxhall van, a handful of students, and a vision.

We hired halls.
We set up.
We packed down.
We moved wherever we needed to keep going.

Woodley Park Centre.
Glenburn Sports College.
The Ecumenical Centre.
Park Pool.
A local school.
Langham Hall.
Burscough Sports and Racquet Club.

Step by step. Class by class. Student by student.

We’ve never been the biggest—
but we’ve always been focused on being the best for our students.

Then in 2013, we took a leap.

We built our own dojang.

Not given. Not handed to us. Built.

And that’s where we still stand today.

Seventeen years later, we’re stronger, clearer in our purpose, and more committed than ever to helping people build confidence, discipline, and strength for life through Tang Soo Do.

To everyone who has been part of this journey—thank you.

This isn’t the end of the story.

It’s just the beginning of the next chapter.

**Stand Strong. Grow Every Day. Fight for What is Right.**
**Discover the Confidence and Strength Within You**

The world has changed.
Children today face very different challenges—but one thing hasn’t changed:
They still need to grow strong.
Years ago, kids built resilience through freedom, independence, and real-life challenges.
Today, those opportunities don’t always exist in the same way.
That’s where we come in.
At McKinstry Family Karate, we don’t just teach martial arts—we build strength on purpose.
We help children:
Face challenges head-on
Build real confidence through achievement
Develop discipline under pressure
Grow stronger with the right support
Because true confidence isn’t given.
It’s earned.
If your child struggles with confidence, focus, or resilience…
this is where it changes.
Stand Strong. Grow Every Day. Fight for What is Right.
👉 Book your child’s first class today
https://burscoughmartialarts.co.uk/junior-champions-free-taster
👉 Limited spaces available
Discover the confidence and strength within them.