Professor Tony Smith started Training in Martial Arts in 1960. Over the years he has trained in many forms of the Martial Arts. In 1980 he created his own style Sokudo and opened his first club in Blackburn using Community Centres Church halls etc. He was the vice Chairman of the Martial Arts Commission until 1993, is the Chairman of the Nippon Dai Budo Kai International Governing Body, The UK Ma
rtial Arts Forum and a Director of UK Martial Arts Standards Advisory Commission. He always wanted to have a permanent Dojo and in 1999, along with 2 of his Dan Grades secured a large room in Newmans Building Garden St Blackburn, which was then renovated to create a purpose built Dojo. Many of the Black Belts continued to run classes elsewhere and pitch in as much as needed, until the Dojo was ready for opening. Apart from the academy Professor Smith is renowned within martial arts as a political fighter. He has fought to try and bring quality and professionalism to the arts and to make martial arts more accessible for all. He currently at the forefront of the fight to make martial arts a safe sport to practice, particularly for children and vulnerable adults. Professor Smith in his capacity of one of the Directors UK Martial Arts Standards Advisory Commission was one of the first to register with the Criminal Records Bureau to ensure that all instructors both in the academy and his association remain committed to keeping Martial Arts clean and safe for everyone. Professor Smith is also one of the first to gain home office certification to work with children and he insists on all academy instructors gaining these along with internationally recognised coaching qualifications. Along with the obvious activities of the academy, it is also the NQV National Coaching Centre and boast governing body approved Centre of Excellence certification. Having been in the present building for 11 years. We have now expanded to two floors. The Academy boast 7 senior Black belt instructors all of whom are qualified to National Standards in Coaching. CRB checked and fully insured for teaching, a further 4 adult black belts. The Instructors are in order of grade
(senior instructors) Professor Tony Smith, Sensei Andrew O Connor, Sensei Paul Ingham, Sensei Andrea O Connor, Sensei Christopher OConnor, Sensei Liam Ingham, Sensei Martin Kingston. (Assistant Instructor's) Sensei Aysha Ali, Sensei Anthony Cross, Sensei Chris Carus, Sensei Tom Hodgkinson. We have an excellent student base, who are from all walks of life and all different ethnicities, with an open door policy, we welcome everyone. Over the years we have seen our students rise from the timid little boy or girl, to become confident young men and women with a very positive attitude towards the world.
