During the school holidays of 1975, I was bored and scrolling through the Barking & Dagenham post an advert for Karate lessons caught my attention.  Within the space of two weeks, I had enrolled on a beginner’s course with Ishinryu and from there on I have never looked back.

It wasn’t too long after that I became frustrated, or more so disappointed to be told that ‘women were not ‘allowed’ to enter kumite events, only kata (a positive as that served me well in the long run).  I kept pushing for this to be changed and thankfully in 1979, thanks to Pauline Bindra (Fuller at that time) and Paula Canney, the ‘Womens Karate Union Championships were held at Crystal Palace Sports Centre.  An organisation to fight against the male opposition women faced at that time and one that paved the way for ahead for women’s kumite.  There began my kumite career, as they say, better late than never!  In 1982, the first women’s European Championships were held, also at Crystal Palace and so began my international career.

By this time, I was running two of my own clubs and teaching the junior classes at Sensei Donovan’s club in Barking.

When I stopped competing, I went onto coach and help many students themselves reach international success.   Following on from this, I then qualified as a British Kumite and Kata judge, officiating at both National and International events for ten years.

In 2009, I formed my own association Kaichou Kai and with the help of loyal instructors and students we developed quickly and soon gained recognition for its professionalism.

This year (2022), I was honoured to receive the London Borough of Havering’s ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’, in recognition of close to 50 years’ service to the local community through karate.

The meaning of Kaichou Kai is ‘Strength in Unity’, together we support, encourage and help each other in our goals.