Our Club

The Kugatsu Karate-Do, part of the Karate Fun family, was established on 6th September 1995 and is a thriving Karate club with around 100 students based in the west end of Glasgow.  We teach Shukokai Karate-Do to students of all ages and abilities.  Our classes are well structured; following a realistic but challenging syllabus that encourages all our students to do their best and progress through the belt system.


Our classes help promote overall confidence, self-respect, physical and mental wellbeing.  The kicking and punching of pads as well as the fun orientated physical activities, within a safe and supportive environment, are great for reducing emotional stress.


Karate helps children to be able to learn positive life skills early in their development.


We also provide the opportunity for our members to participate in Sport Karate.  Our students compete in Kata (forms) and Kumite (sparring) competitions at a local, national and international level.


The Kugatsu Karate-Do is a member of the Karate Scotland (the national governing body for Karate in Scotland) and is a founding member of our association in Scotland; KKD Shukokai.


The Kugatsu Karate-Do is recognised as an accredited club with Karate Scotland implement their Child Well Being and Protection in Sport Policy.

Our Chief Instructor

Shihan Graham McCann (6th Dan)


In August 1974, as an enthusiastic eight year old, Graham followed in his father's footsteps and joined the world famous Kobe Osaka Karate-Do Renmei.  It was there that Graham was introduced to Shukokai Karate by Shihan Tommy Morris (8th Dan), Scotland's first karate black belt and often referred to as "the father of Scottish Karate". Whilst at the Kobe Osaka, Graham had the pleasure of training and grading with Sensei Shigeru Kimura during his regular visits to Glasgow in the 1970's and 1980's.


Graham was promoted to Shodan (1st Dan Black Belt) by Shihan Morris in June 1982 when he was 15 years old. At the time, apart from Shihan Morris's son Steven, Graham was the youngest member of the Kobe Osaka ever to be promoted to black belt. 


Dan grading history 


  • Shodan (1st Dan) awarded in 1982 by the Kobe Osaka Karate-Do Renmei 
  • Nidan (2nd Dan) awarded in 1993 by the Tosa-Kochi Karate-Do 
  • Sandan (3rd Dan) awarded in 1996 by the British All Styles Karate Association 
  • Yondan (4th Dan) awarded in 2002 by the British All Styles Karate Association
  • Godan (5th Dan) awarded in 2008 by the British All Styles Karate Association (ratified by Shuko-Kai International 2010)
  • Rokudan (6th Dan) awarded in 2014 by Karate Kai Scotland (ratified by Shuko-Kai International 2016)


Qualifications 


Graham is a Karate Scotland Level 3 Coach, a founding member of KKD Shukokai and the chief instructor of the Kugatsu Karate-Do.  He is also a retired European Karate Federation Kata Judge and British Karate Federation Kumite Referee.


Graham is a qualified Social Worker (retired) and in addition to teaching karate at the Kugatsu Karate-Do he is employed at Jordanhill School (Glasgow) as their Wellbeing Officer.


Graham can be contacted by email or phone +44 (0)7885 954 223


Our Students

We welcome students of all ages and abilities. Providing that you are of school age or older (there is no upper limit) and there are no medical or other reasons why you should not participate in a karate class then why not give it a go.


New members are welcome to join us throughout the year: we do not have classes specifically for beginners. All new members are welcome to join in all of our classes where the activities will be tailored to meet the individual needs of the students participating. One of the central aims of the Kugatsu Karate-Do is that students train because they want to and because they enjoy it – not because they are forced to attend.


We constantly aim to create an atmosphere where students feel that they can contribute to the running of the club (by providing constructive feedback), where they feel supported and where they feel that they are part of the Kugatsu Karate-Do. 


At the Kugatsu Karate-Do, students are offered the opportunity to train in both Traditional Shukokai Karate-Do and Sport Karate.  It should be noted, that there is no expectation that students participate in Sport Karate, i.e. competition karate.

Joining Our Club

New members


New members are welcome to join our club at any time.  We do not have a specific beginners' class, with students joining in our classes throughout the year.  No previous experience of Karate or other Martial Arts is necessary.   (The minimum age is 4 years old.)


What should I wear?


You do not need to have a Karate suit before joining our club; we do not want you to waste your money.  Jogging trousers and a t-shirt (or similar) are ideal.


Fees 


In addition to your class fees, all members of the club need to have a valid Licence.  The annual Licence fee for new members is £20.00 and the annual renewal fee is £15.00. 


Interested?


For more information about joining pour club or to arrange to come along and give our classes a  try, please contact Graham on 07885 954 223 or send an email to admin@karatefun.co.uk.


Karate Fun

The Kugatsu Karate-Do is part of the Karate Fun family.

Karate Fun aims to encourage children, young people and adults of all ages and abilities to become more physically active and to improve their mental, emotional and physical well-being through the martial art / sport of Karate using a variety of new, exciting and fun products and services.

Building upon our existing areas of expertise we are developing and providing a range of physical activity services (i.e. karate coaching, self-defence classes, and fitness classes) and a variety of products aimed at promoting karate as a fun and exciting activity for children, young people and adults alike.  

Our services and products are available to martial arts organisations, local authorities, health boards and other interested parties, both nationally and internationally.