Pete Nicholls, 2^nd Dan, is a father of four, born in sunny Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands but has lived in the UK for over 20 years. Petes background is in transport and logistics, exporting flowers from Guernsey and computers and their parts from the UK. Pete runs a number of classes for Seiken Ryu, throughout Northumberland and Tyne & Wear.

Val Nicholls, 3rd Dan, is a working Mum of two boys and married to Pete. She works full time managing student accommodation, has a masters degree in business management and studies both Karate and Aiki Jujitsu in her spare time. Val holds Seiken Ryu karate coaching and refereeing certificates., was a trustee of Kidsown out of school club for several years and has been a karate instructor for five years. Val teaches at Rowlands Gill on Fridays at 5.30.

Peter Atkinson, 3rd Dan, Biography to follow

Alison Bishop, 3^rd Dan, Biography to follow

John Brierley, 3^rd Dan, John has been training in Karate for over thirty years. He originally practiced Shotokan in two different associations in the Portsmouth area where he had the privilege of occasionally training with Keinosuke Enoeda Sensei. John changed to the Shukokai style in 2004, training with Steve and Chris Yates and is now a proud advocate of the style. John is a retired Secondary Headteacher and although he still teaches part-time for the Durham Home and Hospital Support Service he has sufficient time available to provide karate courses for schools and the health service as well as assisting at the Esh club and running his own clubs at Durham Carville, Lanchester, Ushaw Moor and Wolsingham.

Oliver Brierley, 3^rd Dan, Oliver started training in Karate 13 years ago, originally in the Shotokan style with Sensei Clive Jackson, then later with Go-kan-ryu with Sensei Ian Stubbs before becoming a practitioner of the Shukokai style under Sensei Chris Yates and Sensei Steve Yates. Oliver holds a 1^st Dan black belt in Yama arashi ryu Aiki Ju-Jitsu, which he has trained in for several years under Sensei Steve Yates. He has also trained in a number of other martial arts included: MMA/ Jeet Kun Do Concepts, Aikido, Judo, Ken-Jitsu, Jo-Jitsu and Reality Based Self Protection. Oliver holds a Foundation Degree in Sports Science and Exercise Development from the University of Sunderland. Oliver runs three clubs in County Durham (Consett, Esh and Lanchester) as well as providing karate training in the Rowlands Gill After School Club and 2 young dragons classes.

Chris D Carr, 3rd Dan, Working in the Aerospace Industry as an Independent Quality Auditor, Chris came to Seiken Ryu in May 2004 and has lived and breathed karate since then, training 6 days per week. Chris is a CRB certified karate instructor up to level two coaching standard and refereeing level one. Chris has officiated in club competitions, refereeing both Kata and Kumite since 2007. Chris instructs across the region with his main club being Gosforth (Regent Farm First School). He has begun training in Aiki Ju Jitsu to further his understanding and broaden his knowledge of martial arts.

Paul Dernley, 4^th Dan, Paul first took up Shukokai Karate as a nine year old boy.  He continues to train and has been an instructor for the past six years at his clubs in the North West, where he has trained some of his own students to Dan grade.  Paul who works in local government used to participate in the competition circuit in both kata and kumite but the arrival of his little girl has naturally limited his time in this area of karate.

Scott Dernley, 3rd Dan, Scott began training with Soke in 1997.  He works in I.T. and in his leisure time, and for fitness he combines his karate with running entering local events to raise money for charity.  Scott assists his brother Paul by instructing at their clubs.  His preference in competition is kumite and he has collected several trophies.

Carl Fisher, 2^nd Dan, Biography to follow

Tom Fisher, 2nd Dan, Biography to follow

Steve Hunter, 3^rd Dan, Biography to follow

Julie Moran, 3^rd Dan, Martial arts runs in the family for Julie with her husband Andy being a 2nd Dan in Ju Jitsu and both daughters holding high grades in Karate.  Julie has been training  continuously since 1996 and assists Sensei Bishop by instructing at her clubs in Lancashire.  Julie also teaches self defence in the local schools and after school clubs.

Steve Reed, 3^rd Dan, is an I.T. Project Manager responsible for delivering Government funded applications to the DWP. Steve became interested in martial arts in the late 80's when he took up judo for two years, unfortunately do to work and other pressures he did not return to martial arts until 2001 when he took up karate with Seiken Ryu. He has studied continuously since then and was granted his Dan grade by Kancho and Soke in March 2005. Steve set up his own club at Stamfordham shortly afterwards and this is still going strong today. Steve is a fully qualified, CRB certified karate instructor and officiates at all of the Seiken Ryu competitions. In March 2009 Steve was very proud to obtain his 3rd Dan. He is now broadening his martial arts knowledge by studying Aiki Ju Jitsu as a complement to his karate.

Adam Wanless, 2^nd Dan, Biography to follow