Our Instructors

I am a husband and father of 3 beautiful girls. After this, I am the chief instructor at Satori-Do Shotokan Karate Club.

My training experience spans over 27 years, practicing and studying Shotokan karate where I hold the rank of 4th Dan, achieved in 2010. I took my very first grading in 1994 in St. Helens with my former instructor, Jeff Tabern .

After years of practicing and learning I started to compete in competitions, I won my first trophy in kata. I continued to compete for many years and held numerous national titles for Kata and kumite and was a triple Gold medallist at the 'International Youth Games' in Rendsburg, Germany. I also briefly represented GB at the British and International championships for kata.

As time moved on I started to teach and in 2015 I took over running of Satori-Do Shotokan Karate Club (formerly Centon Ryu) from my Mum who retired in 2015. I run the club with my colleague and fellow instructor, Graham.

Both myself and Graham are also part of the karate coaching team for the 'International Youth Games'. where many members of the club have had the privilege of being apart of and coming away with prestigious honours and titles. This is something we are very proud to be apart of.

The club has seen alot of transformation of the years and we are proud to be where we are now teaching practical karate to those who train with us.

Karate is a passion, not a hobby, nor a job. I love teaching and seeing everyone who joins our karate family learn, progress, gain confidence and make new friends. I will continue to learn and pass this down to others so they can too become passionate about the beautiful art.

Oss.

David Atherton | Chief Instructor | 4th Dan

Graham Dodgson | Instructor | 1st Dan

I started my journey in Shotokan Karate at 28 years old in 2005. I have the rank of a 1st Dan black belt which I gained in 2010 under the WAKO governing body.

I have had a couple of back injuries over the years which hampered me progressing towards my 2nd Dan (which is now in on the agenda in the next twelve months). So during this time I have practiced, learned, studied and taught which led to the proud moment of jointly running the club with David Atherton after Carol Gaston (the founder) retired.

I have entered numerous competitions over the years and although my medals have been won at club level this has helped in gaining the experience and knowledge to teach others.

I am part of the International Youth Games karate coaching team along with Dave, in which we train a team to compete in kumite and kata across a number of European countries.

My past training before I started Shotokan Karate include Kickboxing and Wado Ryu karate.