Sensei Derek Stockham, 3rd Dan
Derek began his karate training in the late 1970's in Merthyr Tydfil. Training in those days was far less controlled than the teaching sessions we experience today, and most of the classes culminated in the Accident and Emergency Unit of the local hospital. However, this did not deter the more hardened individuals, and Derek was one of them. He attained his 1st Dan black belt in 1982 from Sensei Enoeda. Derek continued his affiliation to the Japanese Karate Association, training with the most revered Japanese instructors at the annual summer courses held at Crystal Palace, until the death of Sensei Enoeda in 2005.
Whilst developing his own club in Brecon, Derek forged strong links with neighbouring karate clubs in Abergavenny, Abertillery and Blaenavon. Inter-club competitions were a regular occurrence and it was from these roots that Brecon SKC began to earn its reputation of being one of the most successful kumite clubs in Wales. Local club success grew steadily to national recognition and to date Brecon SKC has trained over thirty students to black belt standard, many going on to achieve Welsh squad selection and Welsh and British National championship titles.
Although Derek follows the traditional teaching style of Shotokan karate, he often mixes his classes with street fighting and effective self-defence techniques, the origins of which began with his training alongside the likes of Terry O'Neill and Billy Higgins. Derek has traveled thousands of miles over the years to train with the senior instructors of the Karate Union of Great Britain, striving to improve his knowledge and constantly update his training techniques. The result of his effective teaching
style has also been reflected within his family, all of whom have trained to black belt and competed on the national circuit. However, the successes of his children Matthew and Nikki Jayne have superceded even Derek's expectations.
Whilst developing his own club in Brecon, Derek forged strong links with neighbouring karate clubs in Abergavenny, Abertillery and Blaenavon. Inter-club competitions were a regular occurrence and it was from these roots that Brecon SKC began to earn its reputation of being one of the most successful kumite clubs in Wales. Local club success grew steadily to national recognition and to date Brecon SKC has trained over thirty students to black belt standard, many going on to achieve Welsh squad selection and Welsh and British National championship titles.
Although Derek follows the traditional teaching style of Shotokan karate, he often mixes his classes with street fighting and effective self-defence techniques, the origins of which began with his training alongside the likes of Terry O'Neill and Billy Higgins. Derek has traveled thousands of miles over the years to train with the senior instructors of the Karate Union of Great Britain, striving to improve his knowledge and constantly update his training techniques. The result of his effective teaching
style has also been reflected within his family, all of whom have trained to black belt and competed on the national circuit. However, the successes of his children Matthew and Nikki Jayne have superceded even Derek's expectations.
Sensei Matthew Stockham, 4th Dan
Matt began his training at the tender age of three, however, at this age he was not very interested in training! After a break, he returned to training when he was eight years old.
Matt undertook his kyu gradings with Sensei Bob Rhodes and Sensei Billy Higgins and his 1st dan and 2nd dan gradings in 1992 and 1995 under the late Sensei Enoeda and Sensei Ohta. Matt was very privileged on his 3rd dan grading to be examined by not only the late Sensei Enoeda and Sensei Ohta, but also Sensei Sherry and Sensei Brennan (a little pressure when performing Sochin Kata on your own).
Matt was a Welsh international squad member and team fighter from 1997 - 2009, and again in 2011. He has been lucky enough to fight for Wales in some amazing countries all around the world, and having some great wars and making some great friends and memories.
In 2010 Matt took the year out of competition and concentrated on helping out with teaching and coaching the
seniors in competitions.
Matt wears his heart on his chest and always says its a privilege to represent our club at each competition. "I give everything when I compete for the club and also when I'm teaching and coaching, and that's what I expect from the students who train with both myself and my dad, Sensei Derek Stockham.... "
In 2011 Sensei Matt was once again selected for the Welsh KUGB Squad, he kept the top 8 seed in Britain from the National Championships in Birmingham and had numerous competition success including winning the individual
Kumite at the Welsh Championships, and going on to lead the BSKC team to victory over favourites, Bargoed, in the final. At that champtionship he recieved a very high accolade indeed, he was presented with the Enoeda cup for most spirited competitor. At an international level he was part of the Welsh team kumite to win a bronze medal at the World championships in Chicago and was selected to represent Wales at the ESKA championships in Poland.
Competition achievments
1st place, North West Open Championships Under 16 Male Kumite 1995
1st place, Shotokan Cup Under 16 Male Kumite 1995
1st place, Welsh Championships Under 21 Male Kumite 1997
1st place, Welsh Championships Under 21 Male Kumite 1998
3rd place, Grand Slam Championships Senior Male Kumite 2001
1st place, Welsh Championships Senior Male Team Kumite 2002
2nd place, Welsh Championships Senior Male Kumite 2006
3rd place, National Championships Senior Male Kumite 2008
3rd place, Welsh Championships Senior Male Kumite 2009
3rd place, Welsh Championships Senior Male Team Kumite 2009
4th place, Welsh Championships Senior Male Kata 2009
Best Senior Male Competitor, Welsh Championships 2009
1st place, Welsh Championships Senior Male Kumite 2011
1st place, Welsh Championships Senior Male Team Kumite 2011
Best Male Competitor (Enoeda Cup), Welsh Championships 2011
3rd place, World Shotokan Karate Championships, Chicago 2011
3rd place, Welsh Championships, Senior Male Kata 2012
2nd place, Welsh Championships, Senior Male Team Kumite 2012
1st place, Welsh Championships, Senior Team Kata 2012
See some footage of Matt Stockham through the link below.
Matt undertook his kyu gradings with Sensei Bob Rhodes and Sensei Billy Higgins and his 1st dan and 2nd dan gradings in 1992 and 1995 under the late Sensei Enoeda and Sensei Ohta. Matt was very privileged on his 3rd dan grading to be examined by not only the late Sensei Enoeda and Sensei Ohta, but also Sensei Sherry and Sensei Brennan (a little pressure when performing Sochin Kata on your own).
Matt was a Welsh international squad member and team fighter from 1997 - 2009, and again in 2011. He has been lucky enough to fight for Wales in some amazing countries all around the world, and having some great wars and making some great friends and memories.
In 2010 Matt took the year out of competition and concentrated on helping out with teaching and coaching the
seniors in competitions.
Matt wears his heart on his chest and always says its a privilege to represent our club at each competition. "I give everything when I compete for the club and also when I'm teaching and coaching, and that's what I expect from the students who train with both myself and my dad, Sensei Derek Stockham.... "
In 2011 Sensei Matt was once again selected for the Welsh KUGB Squad, he kept the top 8 seed in Britain from the National Championships in Birmingham and had numerous competition success including winning the individual
Kumite at the Welsh Championships, and going on to lead the BSKC team to victory over favourites, Bargoed, in the final. At that champtionship he recieved a very high accolade indeed, he was presented with the Enoeda cup for most spirited competitor. At an international level he was part of the Welsh team kumite to win a bronze medal at the World championships in Chicago and was selected to represent Wales at the ESKA championships in Poland.
Competition achievments
1st place, North West Open Championships Under 16 Male Kumite 1995
1st place, Shotokan Cup Under 16 Male Kumite 1995
1st place, Welsh Championships Under 21 Male Kumite 1997
1st place, Welsh Championships Under 21 Male Kumite 1998
3rd place, Grand Slam Championships Senior Male Kumite 2001
1st place, Welsh Championships Senior Male Team Kumite 2002
2nd place, Welsh Championships Senior Male Kumite 2006
3rd place, National Championships Senior Male Kumite 2008
3rd place, Welsh Championships Senior Male Kumite 2009
3rd place, Welsh Championships Senior Male Team Kumite 2009
4th place, Welsh Championships Senior Male Kata 2009
Best Senior Male Competitor, Welsh Championships 2009
1st place, Welsh Championships Senior Male Kumite 2011
1st place, Welsh Championships Senior Male Team Kumite 2011
Best Male Competitor (Enoeda Cup), Welsh Championships 2011
3rd place, World Shotokan Karate Championships, Chicago 2011
3rd place, Welsh Championships, Senior Male Kata 2012
2nd place, Welsh Championships, Senior Male Team Kumite 2012
1st place, Welsh Championships, Senior Team Kata 2012
See some footage of Matt Stockham through the link below.