Sensei Jamie Thomson, 4th Dan JKA – Chief Instructor and Founder
Sensei Jamie Thomson
Sensei Thomson began his training in Market Drayton, Shropshire in October, 1989 at the age of 12. He started as a number of his friends were getting involved so, ‘it seemed like a good idea at the time’. His primary instructors were Otto Blank (now 4th degree black belt), Mick Cartwright (1st degree black belt) of Ataru, Market Drayton (Karate Union of Great Britain) and Steve Hulson of Newcastle-Under-Lyme SKC (now 5th degree black belt).
Having gained a large amount of instructing experience at Market Drayton and helping to train numerous students to gain their Shodans, Sensei Thomson attained his Nidan (2nd degree black belt) on 25 May 2002, once again at Deeside under the late Sensei Enoeda.
In June 2002, Sensei Thomson moved from Shropshire to Bedfordshire and trained with numerous clubs around the area from various Shotokan Organisations.
Sensei Thomson wanted to teach Shotokan to the high standards he has enjoyed from his own experience and so decided the best way to do accomplish that, would be to start his own dojo.
In September 2003, Sensei Thomson and his wife, Tracii founded a new dojo and respectfully named it after his home town club… Ataru SKC.
Sensei was awarded his Sandan (3rd degree black belt) by Tanaka Sensei & Sawada Sensei (JKA Belgium) assisted by Ohta Sensei, Larrson Sensei (JKA Norway) and Kurihara Sensei (JKA World Kata Champion) at the 2007 JKA International Spring Course held in the Guildford Spectrum.
On May 5th, 2019 at the the JKA England International Spring Course at the K2 in Crawley, Sensei was awarded Yondan (4th degree black belt), by Ogura Sensei (JKA HQ, 8th Dan) and our very own JKA England Chief Instructor, Ohta Sensei (JKA 7th Dan).
Sensei also trains in Traditional Jui-Jitsu and has previously trained in Aikido, Tae-Kwon-Do and Kickboxing. He integrates these teachings into aspects of Shotokan instruction but always keeping the Spirit and Style of Shotokan foremost.
Tracii Thomson, 1st Dan – Club Manager, Safeguarding Lead and Co-founder
Jamie Gainsford, 1st Dan JKA
Tom Sharpe, 1st Dan JKA
Chris Rogers, 1st Dan JKA
Mark Gainsford, 1st Dan JKA
Anneka Chana, 2nd Dan JKA
Nick Wildman, 1st Dan JKA
Adam Goodchild, 2nd Dan JKA
Matthew Stevenson, 1st Dan JKA
Andy Neaves, 1st Dan JKA
Andy Racher, 1st Dan JKA
Phil Jones, 1st Dan JKA
Lee Zerafa, 2nd Dan JKA