St Helens Karate Academy

A new chapter for St Helens Karate Academy!

After over 40 years of owning and running the club, Ian Roberts has decided to step down from his role as Chief Instructor. While he is stepping away from the role, the club is delighted that he will still be a familiar face around the dojo, continuing to support the club and teach from time to time.

We’re proud to announce Emily Chiu as the new Chief Instructor and Livia Yang as our new Assistant Instructor at St Helens Karate Academy. With both having grown through the club and sharing a strong passion for karate, we’re excited to see them work together and lead the club into this next chapter.

A message from our new Chief Instructor, Emily:

“I’m incredibly proud and honoured to officially take over the club and begin a new chapter for St Helens Karate Academy.

This club has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I first stepped into the dojo at 8 years old, and what started as a place to learn karate quickly became so much more. It became a place where I grew, made lifelong friendships, built confidence, created countless memories, been given amazing opportunities, and developed a passion for karate that has stayed with me ever since.

To now have the opportunity to lead the club that played such a big role in shaping who I am today is something I don’t take for granted. I’d like to say a huge thank you to Ian for trusting me with the club he has built and dedicated so much of his life to over the past 40 years. Taking on a club with such a long and special history is a huge responsibility, but one that I’m incredibly excited to embrace.

I’d like to acknowledge Ian. I honestly can’t thank him enough for everything he has done for me since I first walked into the dojo. He has been such an important part of my life, and I wouldn’t be the person or karateka I am today without his guidance, support and belief in me. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for everything that Ian has done for me and club. Thank you so much.

From being a shy 8-year-old girl stepping onto the mats with my big brother to now leading the club, it’s hard to put into words what a journey it has been. To come full circle and have the opportunity to lead the club that played such a huge part in my life is something I never could have imagined.

Here’s to what comes next!”

A message from our new Assistant Instructor, Livia:

“I’ve been training in karate since I was 10 years old, and I’m so grateful that this club has been such a huge part of my life. What I love most about training here is that it genuinely feels like a family. Everyone supports, encourages and pushes each other to be better. You’re constantly challenged to go beyond what you think you’re capable of, both physically and mentally. For me, karate has never just been about learning techniques or getting stronger. It’s about discipline, resilience, confidence and learning the importance of never giving up.”

❗️NEW TIMETABLE FROM SEPTEMBER 2026❗️

We’re excited to announce some changes to our class timetable starting from September!

From September, our classes will continue to run every Tuesday & Thursday, however our classes will be split into ages:
🥋Juniors (age 8-15): 6:00pm – 7:00pm
🥋Adults (age 16+): 7:00pm – 8:00pm

Come and train with us, meet new people and be part of our growing karate family!

📍Sutton Leisure Centre, WA9 5AU
📅Starting September 2026

Keep an eye out for more exciting changes coming to the club😁

This week, we’re saying a very special see you later to Libby as she heads off to Oxford University! 🎓📚

Libby has been part of our karate family for 13 years, while Dan has been with us for 10 years - a fantastic display of commitment, dedication and loyalty to the club ❤️

From the very beginning, we’ve had the privilege of watching them grow from white belts all the way to black belts. It’s been amazing to watch them grow up and see the young people they have become. We couldn’t be prouder of everything they have achieved along the way.

While we’re sad to see Libby head off on her next adventure, we’re delighted that Dan will be staying with the club and continuing his karate with us! We’re looking forward to seeing where his karate takes him next and watching him continue to grow and achieve even more.

Libby, we wish you all the very best at Oxford. Don’t forget that we’ll be here waiting for you when you’re back home during your university breaks! The dojo will always be a home for you, and we’ll look forward to seeing you back training whenever you’re home.

This isn’t goodbye - it’s see you later!

Congratulations to you both on everything you’ve achieved so far. Your dedication over the years is something to be incredibly proud of.

We are so proud of youse ❤️

A new name. A new chapter.

We're proud to announce that St Helens Shotokan Karate Club is now St Helens Karate Academy.

Although our name has changed, our commitment to providing high-quality karate training in a friendly, supportive, and disciplined environment remains exactly the same.

This change marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter as we continue to build on the club's proud history while looking ahead to the future.

Exciting things are on the way - keep an eye out for the new changes at our club!👀

Congratulations to Victoria who won the St Helens Grading Award!👏

The 30°C heat didn’t stop us from training tonight!

Hong Kong Karate Open

Congratulations to Emily on earning bronze at the Hong Kong Open (WKF)🥉🔵 Fought against a Hong Kong team fighter and gained incredible experience at a top-level competition. Also inspiring to learn, she attended Eray Samdan’s kumite seminar - ranked number one in the world for the -60kg category before he retired at the start of the year. What a weekend of growth and top-class learning for Emily👊

Thank you to JKS Hong Kong for the opportunity and training during Emily’s stay in Hong Kong🇭🇰

👏 Welcoming our club’s 2 newest Black Belts! 👏

While most people were enjoying a relaxing Saturday, two of our dedicated members chose to step onto the mat, attending the free Black & Brown Belt course and Dan grading.

Their hard work, commitment, and determination truly paid off. A huge congratulations to Shelley and Dan on achieving their Shodan. This is a massive milestone and a testament to years of effort. 🥋🔥

We’re incredibly proud of you both… now the real journey begins! 👊