The History of Kaizen No-Michi School of Shotokan Karate | 1991–2027
From the West Midlands to Grimsby and Cleethorpes
The story of Kaizen No-Michi School of Shotokan Karate began long before the club opened its doors in Grimsby in 2007.
It began in 1991, when future Chief Instructor Andrew Jones Sensei first stepped onto the karate floor in the West Midlands.
More than three decades later, the journey continues through Kaizen No-Michi's dojos in Grimsby and Cleethorpes.
The story is one of training, teaching, competition, friendship, community and constant and never-ending improvement.
1991 – Andrew Jones Begins His Karate Journey
In 1991, Andrew Jones began training in Shotokan Karate in the West Midlands.
His early instructors included Sensei Kelvin Raynor, 5th Dan, and Sensei Steve Carless, 6th Dan.
Those early years established the technical foundations and discipline that would shape Andrew's karate journey for decades to come.
Andrew continued to train, develop and progress through the Shotokan Karate grading system while becoming increasingly involved in teaching.
The Late 1990s – Beginning to Teach
Andrew's teaching experience began in the late 1990s at Walsall Karate Dojo.
Alongside his own training and development, Andrew began gaining practical experience helping and teaching other karateka.
This period would prove important in developing the teaching experience and philosophy that he would eventually bring to North East Lincolnshire.
His karate journey was no longer simply about his own progression.
It was becoming about passing knowledge on to others.
2004 – Fourth Dan Under Hanshi Asano
In 2004, Andrew Jones achieved his Yondan (4th Dan) under Hanshi Asano, 9th Dan, Chief Instructor of SKIGB.
This represented a major milestone after more than a decade of dedicated training.
The grade was later ratified in Japan in 2016 by Shihan Masao Kagawa, 9th Dan JKS, at Teikyo University.
2005 – Moving to Grimsby
In 2005, Andrew moved from the West Midlands to Grimsby.
His own karate training continued.
Andrew trained at a SKIGB-affiliated dojo in Grimsby, maintaining his connection with Shotokan Karate while becoming increasingly involved with the local community.
Having gained many years of experience training and teaching in the Midlands, Andrew wanted to use that experience to give something back to his new community.
The idea of creating his own karate school began to take shape.
2007 – Kaizen No-Michi Is Born
In 2007, Kaizen No-Michi School of Shotokan Karate was established in Grimsby.
The club opened its doors at West Marsh Community Centre, beginning with just five students.
From those modest beginnings, a karate school was created with a simple philosophy:
Constant and Never-Ending Improvement.
The Japanese word Kaizen describes the idea of continual improvement, and Michi can be understood as a way or path.
For Kaizen No-Michi, the name represents the ongoing journey of learning and development through karate.
In the same year, the club achieved Bronze Award accreditation through the North East Lincolnshire Active Clubs Association.
This provided early recognition of the club's contribution to organised sporting activity in the local community.
Special Training, Courses and Grading Events
Since the early days of Kaizen No-Michi, the club has regularly hosted special training sessions, courses and grading events throughout the year.
These events have given students opportunities to train with experienced instructors, prepare for gradings and experience different approaches to Shotokan Karate.
A particularly important long-standing connection has been with Steve Carless Sensei, 6th Dan JKS.
Steve is a senior JKS instructor and Chief Instructor of Walsall Karate Dojo and has maintained a strong connection with Kaizen No-Michi and Andrew Jones Sensei.
These events have also attracted karateka from outside the local area.
Karate-ka have travelled to Kaizen No-Michi training events from locations including:
Selby, Bradford, Leeds, Walsall, Nottingham, Sheffield, Bristol and Scotland.
The events have therefore become opportunities for Kaizen No-Michi students to train alongside karateka from other dojos and develop friendships throughout the wider JKS community.
2009 – Kaizen No-Michi
Moves to Ormiston Maritime Academy
As the club continued to develop, Kaizen No-Michi moved its main Grimsby training base in 2009 to Ormiston Maritime Academy.
The venue provided additional space for the club's growing membership and became an important part of the dojo's development.
Ormiston Maritime Academy continues to serve as Kaizen No-Michi's principal Grimsby training venue.
2010 – NELSA Sports Coach of the Year
In 2010, Andrew Jones Sensei received further recognition for his contribution to sport and coaching.
He was awarded NELSA Sports Coach of the Year by the North East Lincolnshire Sports Association.
The annual awards were held at the Winter Gardens in Cleethorpes.
The award recognised Andrew's contribution to coaching and his work helping students develop through karate.
2011 – Joining JKS
2011 became one of the most significant years in Kaizen No-Michi's history.
SCUKO joined the Japan Karate Shotorenmei (JKS).
This strengthened the club's links with Japanese Shotokan Karate and opened further opportunities for Kaizen No-Michi students to participate in JKS courses, gradings and competitions.
The connection with JKS would become an important part of the club's identity.
2011 – JKS Ireland Spring Championships
That same year, a small Kaizen No-Michi team travelled to Dublin for the JKS Ireland Spring Championships.
Andrew Jones Sensei became the Men's 40+ Individual Kumite Champion.
The achievement was another milestone for Andrew and demonstrated the competitive experience that had developed within the club.
2011 – JKS World Championships
Later in 2011, eight Kaizen No-Michi members were selected to represent JKS England at the JKS World Championships in Edinburgh.
The team returned with two bronze medals.
For a club that had only been established four years earlier, this represented a significant achievement.
2011 – The First Kangeiko on Cleethorpes Beach
Also in 2011, Kaizen No-Michi held its first Kangeiko, or cold training, on Cleethorpes Beach.
Kangeiko is a traditional Japanese martial arts practice involving training during the colder months.
For Kaizen No-Michi, beach training became an opportunity for students to challenge themselves physically and mentally away from the normal dojo environment.
The tradition continues to be part of the club's calendar.
2012 – The First Karate Bears On The Beach
In 2012, Kaizen No-Michi held its first Karate Bears On The Beach event in Cleethorpes.
Combining karate, games and outdoor activities, the event brought students and families together in a relaxed environment away from the normal dojo.
Karate Bears On The Beach subsequently became one of Kaizen No-Michi's much-loved annual traditions.
2016 – Fourth Dan Ratification in Japan
In 2016, Andrew Jones Sensei's Yondan (4th Dan) grade was ratified at Teikyo University in Japan by Shihan Masao Kagawa, 9th Dan JKS.
The ratification represented an important milestone in Andrew's karate career and reinforced the connection between Kaizen No-Michi and Japanese Shotokan Karate.
2016 – Ben Chase Joins Kaizen No-Michi
Also in 2016, Ben Chase joined Kaizen No-Michi as a brown belt.
Ben continued his development within the club, achieving:
Shodan (1st Dan) – 2019
Nidan (2nd Dan) – 2021
Following his progression through the grading system, Ben became part of the dedicated Kaizen No-Michi instructor team.
He continues to contribute to the teaching and development of students at the dojo.
2017 – Fifth Dan
In 2017, Andrew Jones Sensei was awarded his Godan (5th Dan) by Shihan Masao Kagawa, 9th Dan JKS.
This represented another significant milestone in his karate journey.
2017 – Kaizen No-Michi Celebrates 10 Years
2017 was also the 10th Anniversary of Kaizen No-Michi.
To celebrate ten years of karate in Grimsby, the club held special courses throughout the year with senior JKS instructors including:
Alan Campbell 7th Dan • Matt Price 7th Dan • Steve Carless 6th Dan • Hans Rana 6th Dan
These courses provided Kaizen No-Michi students with opportunities to train with senior instructors and karateka from outside the club.
2017 – £924 Raised for Sport Relief
During the 10th anniversary year, Kaizen No-Michi students and instructors organised their first sponsored kick.
Together, they raised an impressive £924 for Sport Relief.
It was another example of the club's connection with the wider community and its commitment to using karate to support charitable causes.
2020 – Karate Continues During COVID-19
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic brought normal face-to-face karate training to a halt.
Kaizen No-Michi responded by moving training online using Zoom.
Andrew Jones Sensei continued delivering sessions remotely, allowing students to keep training from home.
Kaizen No-Michi members were also given opportunities to join free online classes with instructors including:
Steve Carless • Matt Price • Hans Rana • Alistair Mitchell • JKS Japan instructors
The online sessions helped students maintain their karate training and stay connected with the dojo community during an unprecedented period.
The loyalty and support of Kaizen No-Michi students during this difficult time became another important chapter in the club's history.
2022 – A New Dojo in Cleethorpes
In 2022, Kaizen No-Michi expanded its presence by opening a new satellite dojo at Cleethorpes Leisure Centre.
This created another dedicated training location for students and strengthened Kaizen No-Michi's presence across Grimsby and Cleethorpes.
The Cleethorpes Dojo operates as a spoke dojo of the wider Kaizen No-Michi organisation.
A National JKS Connection
Although Kaizen No-Michi has its roots firmly in Grimsby and Cleethorpes, the club has developed connections with karateka and instructors across the country.
Through special training sessions, courses and grading events, JKS members have travelled to train with Kaizen No-Michi from places including:
Selby, Haxby, Walsall and Bristol.
Guest instructors such as Steve Carless Sensei, 6th Dan JKS, have contributed to this continuing exchange of knowledge and experience.
These events allow students to train with different instructors, meet karateka from other dojos and become part of a wider Shotokan Karate community.
2007–2027 – Twenty Years of Constant and Never-Ending Improvement
From three students training at West Marsh Community Centre in 2007 to established dojos in Grimsby and Cleethorpes, the Kaizen No-Michi story is one of continued development.
Over the years, students have joined for many different reasons.
Some have wanted to improve their fitness.
Some have wanted to develop confidence and discipline.
Some have wanted to compete.
Others simply wanted to learn traditional Japanese Shotokan Karate and become part of a community.
Some students have progressed through the grading system and eventually become instructors themselves.
Along the way, Kaizen No-Michi has:
Developed competitive karateka
Supported students representing JKS England
Hosted JKS instructors and visiting karateka
Organised special courses and grading events
Held Kangeiko training on Cleethorpes Beach
Established Karate Bears On The Beach
Raised money for charity
Adapted through the COVID-19 pandemic
Expanded from Grimsby into Cleethorpes
Continued developing its links with the wider JKS community
Through every stage, the underlying philosophy has remained the same:
Constant and Never-Ending Improvement.
Kaizen No-Michi Today
Today, Kaizen No-Michi School of Shotokan Karate continues to provide karate training for children, teenagers and adults across Grimsby and Cleethorpes.
The club is proudly affiliated with JKS England and connected with the wider Japan Karate Shotorenmei organisation.
Training encompasses traditional Shotokan Karate, Kihon, Kata and Kumite, grading preparation, fitness and opportunities for students interested in competition karate.
The club welcomes beginners as well as experienced karateka, with students encouraged to develop at their own pace.
20 Years of Kaizen No-Michi – 2007–2027
As Kaizen No-Michi approaches its 20th Anniversary in 2027, the club can look back at a journey that began with five students at West Marsh Community Centre.
From Andrew Jones Sensei's first karate training in the West Midlands in 1991, through years of teaching and training, his move to Grimsby in 2005 and the creation of Kaizen No-Michi in 2007, the story has continued to grow.
Today, new students continue to step onto the dojo floor.
Instructors continue to teach.
Students continue to grade, compete and improve.
And the journey continues.
Kaizen No-Michi School of Shotokan Karate
20 Years of Constant and Never-Ending Improvement
2007–2027
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Kaizen No-Michi founded?
Kaizen No-Michi School of Shotokan Karate was founded in 2007 in Grimsby, beginning at West Marsh Community Centre.
Who founded Kaizen No-Michi?
Kaizen No-Michi was established by Andrew Jones Sensei, who had begun his own karate journey in the West Midlands in 1991 and had gained teaching experience at Walsall Karate Dojo.
Where does Kaizen No-Michi teach karate?
Kaizen No-Michi has training locations in Grimsby and Cleethorpes, including Ormiston Maritime Academy and Cleethorpes Leisure Centre.
What style of karate does Kaizen No-Michi teach?
The club specialises in Japanese Shotokan Karate and is affiliated with the Japan Karate Shotorenmei (JKS).
Who is Andrew Jones Sensei?
Andrew Jones Sensei is the Chief Instructor of Kaizen No-Michi. He began karate in 1991, achieved 4th Dan under Hanshi Asano in 2004, had that grade ratified in Japan by Shihan Masao Kagawa in 2016, and was awarded 5th Dan in 2017.
Who is Steve Carless Sensei?
Steve Carless Sensei is 6th Dan JKS, a senior JKS instructor and Chief Instructor of Walsall Karate Dojo. He has a long-standing connection with Kaizen No-Michi and contributes to special training events.
Does Kaizen No-Michi hold special karate courses?
Yes. Kaizen No-Michi has held special training sessions, courses and grading events throughout its history, with guest instructors and visiting karateka from across the JKS community.
Can beginners learn karate at Kaizen No-Michi?
Yes. Kaizen No-Michi welcomes beginners and experienced karateka, with training available for different ages and abilities.
Start Your Karate Journey in Grimsby or Cleethorpes
If you are searching for karate in Grimsby or Cleethorpes, Kaizen No-Michi welcomes you to come and experience the dojo.
With almost two decades of history, experienced instructors, JKS affiliation, regular training, special courses and a friendly karate community, Kaizen No-Michi continues the journey that began back in 2007.
Your karate journey could start here.
Kaizen No-Michi School of Shotokan Karate
Grimsby & Cleethorpes Karate Dojos
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