歴史About the association
Since 1969, still on the mat.
Our chief instructor Stephen McGlinchey started training on 7 January 1969 and earned his black belt under Master Harada in 1972. In 1992 he formed the association, and it has stayed independent from that day to this.
Independent, so our members are free to explore.
The Glasgow Karate-do Shoto Association answers to no other martial arts organisation. That lets our members train in any discipline without interference, and we encourage it: go and find other martial arts, then bring what you learn back into our training.
There are no age limits. Our youngest member is five and our eldest is over 70. You do not have to be fit to train with us, we will get you fit. Our coaching certificates include teaching people with disabilities, and we may ask you to check with your GP that you can take part. We believe in training safe.
- 1972Stephen awarded his black belt
- 1992The association is formed
- 5Our youngest member
- 70+Our eldest member
Our story so far.
More than fifty years of Shotokai karate, from Stephen’s first class on 7 January 1969, told through the club’s own archive: certificates, newspaper adverts, leaflets and photographs kept since the 1970s.
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7 January 1969Finding Shotokai
Stephen starts training in Glasgow on 7 January 1969 and finds Shotokai: a soft, fluid and free flowing style of karate that develops intrinsic energy, ki, rather than physical strength. Training quickly becomes a way of life.
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15 September 1972Shodan under Master Harada
After a week-long karate summer school at Keele University in Staffordshire, Stephen is awarded Shodan, his first dan black belt, by Master Harada.
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1 March 1973Black belt number 30
The British Karate Control Commission registers Stephen as a 1st Dan. His certificate number, KDS/30, marks him as the 30th person recognised and registered as a black belt in Karate-do Shotokai by the BKCC.
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1970sThe Kyoto Karate Club
Stephen instructs the Kyoto Karate Club, a member of the Karate-do Shotokai organisation. The newspaper adverts promise “a combination of meditation with a martial art”, every Tuesday and Thursday evening at St David’s School, off Cathedral Street.
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1975A leaflet for new members
A colour leaflet shows members demonstrating the roundhouse kick, blocks and counters, and a movement from kata, alongside the class times. Recruiting new members has always started with showing people what the training looks like.
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1980sHills and beaches
Whenever the weather allows, training moves outdoors. Hillsides and beaches become part of the dojo, a habit the association has never lost.
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1990Canterbury, with Master Harada
Almost two decades after his Shodan, Stephen is still training with the master who awarded it, pictured together in Canterbury.
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1992The association is formed
Stephen founds the Glasgow Karate-do Shoto Association, independent of any other martial arts organisation, so that members can train in any discipline without interference.
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9 February 2002£1,150 for Maggie’s
Junior members present a cheque for £1,150 to Maggie’s Centre, raised by the association.
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2018Kata, bunkai and Paris
A kata and bunkai course in Glasgow in February, and a trip to train with karateka in Paris. Travelling to learn from other clubs becomes part of the association’s year.
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19 and 20 October 2024Guest instructors in Germany
Stephen and Gerard Cunningham travel to Plauen as visiting UK instructors for a Shotokai karate-do course, and the October trip to Germany becomes a fixture.
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TodaySix days a week, four venues
Juniors from age five and seniors into their seventies train across Milngavie, Knightswood, Kelvin Hall and Notre Dame Primary, with gradings every March and September and trips to Islay and Germany each autumn.
See the year’s events
What we believe.
We strive to teach and uphold Shotokai karate-do in keeping with its history, alongside new and updated ways of learning. We train not for sport, but for life.
- 誠
Good character first
We require good character before membership is granted. Bad attitude, ego and arrogance are unwelcome.
- 努力
Rank is earned
Everyone sets their own pace and advances on the effort and practice they put in. There is no timeline for automatic promotion.
- 家族
A family, not customers
We get to know our students and help them be their very best. No salespeople and no “elite” programmes.
- 道場
Not a tournament school
We are a traditional Shotokai karate-do dojo. We train hard, in both the classical and the modern ways.
- 心身
Body, mind and spirit
We focus on developing the whole person, not just physical skill. The practice adds balance and depth to our lives.
- 指導
Small classes
A high instructor to student ratio means experienced instructors take the time to listen and guide each student personally.
Licensed, registered and training safe.
The association is licensed and registered with BMABA CIC. Our coaching certificates include teaching people with disabilities, and every class is run with safety first.
Safeguarding support from BMABAYour first class is free
Come and train with us.
Turn up to any class in jogging trousers and a t-shirt, bring some water, and join in. Everyone you will train with started exactly where you are now.
