Martial arts school in Barry, Vale Karate. Since its establishment in 1984, Vale Karate has been a family-run professional Karate Club led by Chief Instructor Rob Copeland (7th Dan) and secretary Cathy Copeland. Located at the Dojo within Barry Leisure Centre, Vale Karate offers a comprehensive timetable of classes throughout the week.
At Vale Karate, they emphasise that Karate is for everyone. Chief Instructor Rob Copeland, along with Senseis Leah Howard, Luke Howard, Kee Wong, and Helen Young, ensure that all classes are inclusive and cater to individuals of all ages and skill levels.
- Classes for children aged four and above, known as 'The Vale Karate Tigers'.
- Beginners Taster classes for children looking to get started.
- Traditional classes for children separated by grade.
- Adults traditional Shotokan sessions.
- Fighting Fit classes for both children and adults.
- Private one-2-one sessions for personalised training.
Vale Karate is dedicated to providing an enjoyable and beneficial experience for all its students, whether they attend for a short period or devote decades to their training. The dojo serves as a place to meet old friends and make new ones, a place to improve fitness and wellbeing, and a space to reduce stress and take advantage of the wide array of physical and mental benefits that Karate offers.
While Vale Karate offers a range of 'traditional' classes, they recognise that competitive Karate can be an important stepping stone towards a fulfilling and successful Karate career. Over the past two decades, Vale Karate has been the most successful Karate club in Wales, excelling in both Kata and Kumite competitions. They believe in a competitive, sporting ethos and strive to give those who wish to compete the best chances of success.
Vale Karate was initially established under the wing of the Karate Union of Wales (KUW) and later became an independent organisation in membership with the Welsh Karate Governing Body (WKGB). During their time in the WKGB, Vale Karate won an impressive One Hundred and Sixty Welsh titles, Twenty-One British titles, and achieved success at various international events, including the EKF European Championships and the Commonwealth Karate Championships.
In 2012, Chief Instructor Rob Copeland withdrew Vale Karate from the WKGB and became a founder member of a new organisation. Despite this change, Vale Karate remains dedicated to providing quality Karate instruction and promoting the sport within the Barry community and beyond.
Overall, Vale Karate is a reputable Martial arts school in Barry, offering a variety of classes for individuals of all ages and skill levels. Led by experienced instructors and rooted in a rich history of competitive success, Vale Karate is committed to providing a supportive and rewarding environment for all students as they pursue their Karate journey.