Feedback from Students:

We were looking for classes for my son to train in Karate when we came across this website. We found it very informative and very well presented.

My husband and I also decided we would like to train in Karate to improve our level of fitness as well as self defence, but as we have never attended any karate training in the past (and also myself having hearing problems) we were a bit apprehensive about being adult beginners.

We were instantly made very welcome by Sensei Bob Hague who came across as a true professional. He was very friendly, patient, understanding, generous, a good listener with excellent personal skills.

He is brilliant in the kid’s classes. As well as being disciplined, he gives them confidence and makes the lessons fun leaving the kids wanting to come back for more.

Attending the class for the first time was a bit nerve-racking, especially as there were quite a few black belts. We needn’t have worried as everyone in the class made us feel very welcome and we were quickly made to feel at ease.

The training is hard but you come away at the end of every session with a sense of achievement.

After the first class we were hooked and couldn’t wait for the next training session.

We now also train in Bobs private Dojo which I must say is very impressive to say the least.

As well as losing weight, improving our level of fitness and learning valuable skills we have also made a lot of new friends at the club.

I would definitely recommend this club to anyone without hesitation.

Debi and Chris Needham - 8th Kyu - 3-Aug-2011

I joined Sheffield Shotokan during my final year at Sheffield University, after returning from my year abroad. All of the club instructors were very welcoming and very knowledgable about karate. Each of the instructors have their own teaching style, which has helped me to progress during my training, as I learnt different things from each of them. I have practised Shotokan karate in the past at other clubs and so most of the training was very similar. I also learnt new additional applications of my techniques from the experienced instructors. All of the club members were very welcoming, it is a nice environment in which to train. As a student, I enjoyed the opportunity to be able to train with all ages and all different kinds of people. I would definitely recommend the club to anyone wishing to train in Sheffield. For me the club has the right balance between being friendly, but also being disciplined.

Emma Hughes - 1st Kyu -

Just been looking at the updated website and I've got to say it's one of the most impressive karate websites I've seen! Easy to use, informative! It really shows off the club. It's no wonder you're getting more interest from it!

Anyway - after training with you for nearly a year now, I thought it was about time that I gave you something to include in your feedback section. So here goes. I came across Bob's club by chance, while I was looking around for an extra night to train during the week. My home club was diminishing in numbers rapidly and only provided one night of training per week. After training for a while with the Steel City club I was forced to look elsewhere when that club unfortunately folded. Then after a couple of conversations with Sensei John Kobierowski I was made aware of a club that existed just around the corner to where I live that had built it's own dojo in the back garden of the instructor's house. Not long after that I found this website and contacted Bob to see if I could come down and train. It turned out that he had long links with one of my existing Sheffield instructors, Eric Mather. I was invited, with Eric to attend the Tuesday session in Bob's back garden. I was immediately impressed by the atmosphere at the club - it was both friendly and rigourous, with a very good standard of karate being shown. The next Tuesday I walked to training (the first time in 20 years, I've been able to do that), donned my gi and sweated! I immediately felt welcomed as a part of the club and have trained there pretty much every week since then.

Obviously, the style of karate the club practices is Shotokan, but Bob's knowledge of martial arts in general is such that he can bring applications out from the techniques which I have never been taught in my 20 years of blood, sweat and tears. The fact that at the same time the practice remains traditional Shotokan is testament to Bob's (and his team of instructor's) knowledge of the art.

John Hunter - 2nd Dan -

Sheffield Shotokan Dojo is an excellent karate club. The quality of instruction is extremely high, with the chief instructor drawing on a wealth of experience that is passed onto students. Karateka (karate practitioners) practice and refine a range of effective self-defense techniques under expert tuition. The instructors approach de-mystifies the art and the clear explanation of concepts makes progress inevitable.
The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly.. Students are quickly made to feel at ease. karateka of all levels of ability are able to learn a defensive martial art in a safe, controlled environment. The training is enjoyable and students benefit from improved health and fitness as well as increased confidence and knowledge of karate.

Richard Mullooly PhD - 1st Dan -

I decided to take up Karate later than most, being in my early thirties and was quite apprehensive at being an adult complete beginner. I needn't have worried, however, as my first lesson at Sheffield Shotokan Karate Club was individual, so I could get up to speed on the basic moves before joining the general class. When I joined the class black-belts and lower grades all trained together, learning valuable self-defence moves and practising basic techniques. I immediately felt this was an atmosphere I was comfortable in and could enjoy learning, benefiting from the advice of higher grades. I have since been enjoying training twice a week, and am very much looking forward to my first grading and hopefully many more.

Dr. Penny Thackray - 10th Kyu -

I started training at the club on the recommendation of a friend and immediately enjoyed it. Despite nearly at the members being black belt or higher everyone has gone to great lengths to make me feel welcome and involved. I have never felt intimidated or excluded something I put down to the strong sense of community and mutual respect at the club. I consider many of the members friends and look forward to learning Karate alongside them.

Gary Allan - 9th Kyu -

I started training at SSKC when i was 16 yrs old in 1982, I previously started with John Ayes in Malin Bridge 2 yrs earlier. I gained Shodan in 1985 and Nidan in 1989. Then emigrated to New Zealand.

I remember the training with Bob as very enjoyable and hard. Bob always knocked me down with his spinning Ashi barai when I was delivering Mawashi Geri.

Bob was always friendly except when this guy came to impress his girlfriend that he was a black belt but really he was a beginner. He got hammered that night!!!!

Well we always came out of the dojo with a good sweat on or bloodied noses or black eye, depended if Pete Samworth had been training that night.

I remember good training with Kobbo on a regular basis we would travel around Sheffield to other Dojo's. I remember my first competition at Sheffield United Ground, on carpet I think.

We trained on Fridays at Kevin Morley's or Dave Atkinsons where the infamous Gary Ledwood trained.

I had a great time at Bobs Dojo ( our Dojo ) we made the place, all that trained there. I met my wife to be there in 1987 and we married in 1989.

I remember a lot of the guys still, Richard Whitaker, Sean Gillott, Kobbo, Sammy Mick, Steve ?, Pete Samworth, Gary Heathcote, Caroline Keen, BOB, Mick, Adam, Gale. So many more that I can't put names to. If I missed anyone that I should remember I apologise.

I call it my golden years in Karate. I learned so much and much more after.

I now run my own Dojo in Auckland New Zealand. We are part of the N.Z.S.K.A with Kawasoe 8th Dan as our Guide.

I am looking forward to visiting Bobs private dojo as it was just his bar the last time I came to visit.

How's the karaoke Bob ??
All the best to all your Dojo and look forward to return in the next few years.

Best wishes to every one.

Darren Hunter - 3rd Dan (Kawasoe) New Zealand -

I first started training at Sheffield Shotokan in 1983 but didn't start serious training until 1987. Back then the club was renowned for hard training and competition karate. I can recall me and three other juniors entering a junior AMA tournament and coming home with six trophies. I gained my Black Belt in 1991 but the highlight for me was winning the National TSSK Under-21 Title and being selected for TSSK GB and competing at Crystal Palace. Nowadays my training is more influenced by Muay Thai and Freestyle, but I will always be a karateka and sometimes I teach some of the arts that I've trained in at Bob's superb private dojo.

Gary Heathcote - (24 year student of martial arts) -

I have only been training with Bob for a couple of months and I can't stop thinking about Katate. Bob is a superb sensei, he is patient, generous and has an excellent personal standard. Having trained previously in Tai Jitsu, I was a little apprehensive about Karate being all kicks and punches but as I learn more I realise that there is something of all styles within Karate. It is engaging, complex, rewarding, challenging and a great form of personal discipline and physical training. Bob's private Dojo is a pleasure to train in and for me is becoming a place of sanctuary as well as a training room.

Piers Carter - Director, CarterWade Ltd. -

Feedback from Club Partners:

When I was looking for some Hold and Restraint training for my Quick Response Team a name that kept cropping up was Bob Hague.

I visited Bob and he immediately came across as a total professional. We discussed our requirements and Bob tailored a course suitable for us. His knowledge and facilities were 1st class.

I personally attended and participated in the 4 day course that Bob put together. The techniques Bob taught us were excellent and proved to be a massive thumbs up from the team.

I would, and have recommended Bob and all his team every time without hesitation.

Andrew Nicholson - General Manager, Doyle Consultants Ltd -

Feedback from Club Visitors:

A really easy website to get around and some great info on their too. Directions to the venue is great and the Carlton Road Dojo is certainly spacious with a good matted area.

A good club to train with and a great bunch of students, easy to get a long with and all very controlled and dedicated to their art.

Craig Batham - Black Belt, Goju Ryu Karate -

Feedback for the Website:

Thanks for your comments on our website - it's good to hear from you. I've also taken a little time to look through your excellently written website too.

I hope your club is going strong and that training is good.

Dr. Adam Senior - 3rd Dan -

Leave Feedback:

To avoid spending *HUGE* amounts of time dealing with online SPAM postings we require a password to leave feedback and comments. Please contact Bob or ask the class instructor for the password if you would like to contribute.

All feedback is welcome, but please show the same respect you would show in the Dojo.