The Mayor of Kidderminster, Councillor Shazu Miah, visited Young Gloves Karate at Birchen Coppice Primary Academy on 26 September to celebrate the club's recent sporting achievements and its community work.
Six Young Gloves students have been selected to represent England at the ICO World Karate Championships in France next month. The club, based at the primary academy for the past seven years, has also raised almost £90,000 for charities and community causes.
Councillor Miah joined around 22 members of the squad, instructors and parents for the celebration, alongside Mrs Sandra Pennington, Headteacher of Birchen Coppice Primary Academy.
Young Gloves Karate has run a monthly disability karate session at Leapgate Activity Centre for the past five years, providing opportunities for people with disabilities to take part in martial arts. The club also supports young people through self-defence, anti-bullying and anti-knife initiatives, and regularly organises fundraising and community events.
It was fantastic to welcome the Mayor and Mrs Pennington and to be able to show them what Young Gloves is all about. We are incredibly proud of the six students who will be representing England in France, but for us, success isn't just about medals and competitions. It's about giving people confidence, discipline and opportunities, making sure everyone feels they belong and doing whatever we can to support our community.
Justin Thomas BEM, founder and Senior Instructor of Young Gloves Karate, said this.
The club is preparing for a First Aid Awareness Course on Sunday, 18 October, with money raised going to The Brain Charity in memory of Lidia Connolly. The course is open to Young Gloves members and people from the wider community.