Sensei Rick Bates 1st Dan
I have always been interested in Martial Arts, seen all the films had the Bruce Lee posters as a kid etc, but never pursued it until I met Sensei Barry Harte in 2001. He was running a self-defence class where we both worked and I decided to go along. It was for two hours one day a week for six weeks. I loved every minute and felt I just wanted to learn more and more, so I went along to Sensei Barry’s adult class and was blown away. After the first class I said I have to learn this, I was never a very natural Martial Artist and have had to work very hard, but the students and the Sensei’s are all very supportive. I achieved my red belt in 2003 which was my first belt, it was very tough and a real shock to the system but receiving the belt knowing you have been pushed to your limits and beyond means so much. I remember someone saying to me after the grading it just gets harder and harder and eight years on I can honestly say they were 100% right.
I have been helping Sensei Barry Harte with his kid’s jujitsu class since 2004 the kids class has given me so much experience and I feel has made me a better teacher. I have really enjoyed watching them grow into good quality young martial artists some of them even moving into the adult’s class (including my daughter Jennifer).
Sensei Barry Harte also started teaching the ABAE Boxing Award program which I help on, this has not only improved the kids but has improved my hand and footwork immensely. On the 5th June 2011 I passed my 1st Dan Black Belt in Jujitsu which was an amazing feeling of achievement. It lasted three hours and was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life but worth every minute of pain. I know my 1st Dan is just the beginning of a long path which I am looking forward to walking.
Over the eight years Sensei Barry Harte and I have become very good friends and there is nowhere else I would rather train than at the Hakudakan.
