Our Instructors. 

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 However, the successes of his children Matthew and Nikki Jayne have superceded even Derek's expectations.

Sensei Matt Stockham 3rd Dan

Matt Stockham was born in Nevill Hall hospital, Abergavenny in 1980.

He began training in the family home at the age of 3 years old..  At that age Matt wasn't very interested in Karate but somewhere amongst the dust and archives there is video evidence of a young Sensei Matt vs Sensei Derek in some outstanding freestyle fighting......

After a rest from training Matt took back up Karate when he was 8 under the watchful eye of his instructor, and father, Derek..

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 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 the teaching of the junior Teamdirk Tigers 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. 

1988 - Started training at Brecon SKC

14/02/1989 - First license

Gradings.

1/03/1989 - Passed 9th kyu with Sensei Bob Rhodes.

26/08/1989 - Passed 8th kyu with Sensei Billy Higgins.

3/02/1990 - Passed 7th kyu with Sensei Billy Higgins.

27/10/1990 - Passed 6th kyu with Sensei Billy Higgins.

3/03/1991 - Passed 5th kyu with Sensei Billy Higgins.

22/06/1991 - Passed 4th kyu with Sensei Billy Higgins.

2/11/1991 - Passed 3rd kyu with Sensei Billy Higgins.

7/02/1992 - Passed 2nd kyu with Sensei Billy Higgins.

23/05/1992 - Passed 1st kyu with Sensei Billy Higgins.

13/03/1993 - Passed 1st Dan with Sensei Enoeda and Sensei Ohta.

16/09/1995 - Passed 2nd Dan with Sensei Enoeda and Sensei Ohta.

7/05/2001 - Passed 3rd Dan with Sensei Enoeda, Sensei Ohta, Sensei Sherry and Sensei Brennan.

Competitions.

1995 - Won the junior, under 16 kumite title at the North west open championships.

 - Won the junior under 16 kumite title at the Shotokan cup.

1997 - Became under 21 Welsh kumite champion.

 - Selected for Welsh national kumite and kata squads.

 - Represented Wales at Eska in Prague and was the youngest member of the Senior team kumite.

 - Represented Wales from 1997 - 2009 at Senior individual and team level.

1998 - Successfully defended the under 21 Welsh kumite champion, beating team mate Simon Pengelly in the final.

1999 - 1/4 finals at ESKA in Cadiz, Spain in the individual kumite.  Lost to eventual winner.

2001 - 3rd place at Grand slam international event in senior individual kumite, losing to Sensei Matt Price in the semi's.

2002 - Became a member of the Brecon SKC team who won the team kumite title at the Welsh championships. The team was Geraint Price, Simon Pengelly, Matt Stockham and Richard Balding.

2005 -  Reached the 1/4 finals in kumite at the National championships in Birmingham.  Losing to JJ Bruce.

2006 - Awarded 2nd place in the senior individual kumite at the Welsh championships. Losing to Alun Wayman.

2007 - Reached 1/4 finals at ESKA in individual kumite.

2008 - Awarded 3rd place in senior individual kumite at the National championships in Birmingham. Lost to JJ Bruce in semi's.

2009 - Awarded 3rd place in senior individual kumite, 3rd place in team kumite, 4th place in individual kata and trophy for best senior male competitor at the Welsh championships.

2010 - Year out of competing.

2011 - KUGB Welsh Male Kumite Champion and Male Team Kumite Champion. Presented with Enoeda Cup. Bronze Team Kumite at World Shotokan Championships.