At Rhyl & Prestatyn Shotokan Karate Club we are lucky to have a team of experienced black belt instructors with a fantastic breadth of knowledge and expertise…
…whether you are beginning your karate journey or looking to develop your skills, we will be able to guide you.
Our Instructors
Sensei Richard, 7th dan
Richard Poole has trained and taught karate with the KUGB for over 50 years, after taking his very first class in the Rhyl & Prestatyn dojo in 1974. He was awarded 7th Dan from the KUGB in 2018 and is a grading examiner.
During his competitive career Richard won many titles in both kata and kumite, representing Wales internationally with the KUGB and the Welsh All Styles Association. Richard was kata coach for the Welsh KUGB team and has been an international referee for over 25 years. He is also the President of both the European and World Shotokan Karate-do Associations.
Richard was the Chief Instructor of Cambridge University Karate Club from 2003-2022, where he supported over 60 students through dan grades and led the club to great competitive success including 16 Varsity victories against Oxford and winning the KUGB Nationals in both senior Team Kata and Team Kumite. He returned to the Rhyl & Prestatyn club in 2024, where his classes are enjoyed for both their technical detail and entertainment.
Sensei Russell, 4th dan
Russell is one of the founder members of the club after attending the first class of the Rhyl & Prestatyn Shotokan Karate Club with sensei Geoff Wilding in 1974. Russell graded to 1st dan in 1977, 2nd dan in 2007, 3rd dan in 2010 and 4th dan in 2014.
He has a vast amount of competition experience in both Kata and Kumite having previously competed at National and International levels. In the many years between 1st and 2nd dan Russell represented KUGB Wales in both individual and team events at the European championships, and also competed for the Rhyl & Prestatyn team in many Welsh and British championships, winning the Welsh team kumite title on a number of occasions. Other competition successes include becoming the Welsh individual kumite champion and later, after returning from serious injury, individual kumite silver.
Russell has taught and trained at Rhyl & Prestatyn Shotokan Karate Club for over 50 years. He now specialises in Kata Bunkai (Kata interpretation) and recently received his long standing service award from the Karate Union of Great Britain.
Sensei John, 4th dan
John Booth started learning karate in 1998 at Aberystwyth University. He gained his 1st dan in 2002 under Sensei Keinosuke Enoeda (9thDan). He graded to 2nd dan in 2007, 3rd dan in 2010 and 4th dan in 2014. He has represented the University and Rhyl and Prestatyn Clubs in both kata and kumite and also represented Wales in individual and team kumite.
In addition to teaching and training karate at Rhyl and Prestatyn three times a week, John also has also trained judo for the past 12 years, in which he is 1st dan, and the Brazilian martial art capoeira for the last 16 years, currently training and teaching in Bangor.
Not only does John teach and train at Rhyl & Prestatyn, he is also the club treasurer as well as being the regional treasurer for the Karate Union of Great Britain.
Sensei Tegwen, 4th dan
Tegwen Ecclestone started karate in 2006 at the Cambridge University Karate Club. She graded to Shodan with the KUGB in 2010 and to Nidan in 2013. During this time she competed for both Oxford and Cambridge Universities in kata and kumite in a mixture of regional and national championships, achieving a full blue and placing equal third in kumite at the British Universities and Colleges Sport competition in 2014.
In 2014 Tegwen became a member of the KUGB Senior England Kumite Squad, travelling to Liverpool to train at the Red Triangle. She graded to Sandan in 2016 and to Yondan in 2022 under Senseis Billy Higgins, Frank Brennan and Jimmy Brennan.
Tegwen has taught a wide range of classes, which are enjoyed for their energy and enthusiasm by junior and senior grades alike. She especially enjoys teaching beginners and watching them progress in skill and confidence.
Tegwen is a medical doctor, specialising in Rheumatology. She has an interest in sports medicine and is a member of the Medical Commission for the European Shotokan Karate-do Association.
Sensei Francis, 2nd dan
Francis Curtis has been a dedicated member of the Rhyl and Prestatyn karate club for nearly 7 years. He achieved his shodan with the KUGB in 2021 and progressed to nidan in 2024. During this time Francis has competed in both kumite and kata, earning recognition at regional and national tournaments.
In 2022 he made his debut at the Welsh Championships, where he secured bronze medals in both kumite and kata finals. In 2023 Francis became the Welsh Junior Kata Champion and claimed a silver medal in the boys’ kumite category. That same year Francis was selected for the KUGB Wales Kumite and Kata squads, travelling to Merthyr for national team training. He was then selected to represent Wales at the 2024 European Shotokan Karate-do Association Championships in Porto, where he competed in both Cadet and Junior categories in kumite and kata.
In addition to his competitive success, Francis has taught a number of mixed ability classes with a fast-paced and creative approach. He aspires to complete the KUGB Young Leaders Instructor qualification to further refine his teaching skills. Currently studying A-levels in history, law and Government and Politics, Francis has a strong interest in history and fitness.