A MARTIAL ARTS school in Pembrokeshire is being urgently investigated by a national governing body, after it came to light that it has been operating unlawfully.

Milford Haven Karate School, run by 6th Dan instructor Kevin John, is being probed by the top UK authority in karate for issuing dodgy certificates – and for failing to ensure that pupils were licensed and insured for the Japanese – now Olympic – sport.

Irregularities came to light after certificates, which cost parents £30 each, were issued with identical serial numbers – even to the same pupils at different times.

INVESTIGATION

An investigation by this newspaper has revealed that the certificates were fakes and not issued with permission of NAKMAS, the National Association of Karate and Martial Art Schools, nor had any funds been passed to NAKMAS for their issue – raising questions as to where funds have gone.
NAKMAS said that any mention of their organisation or use of their logo on certificates must be approved, but to date no approval has been given, they said.

Parents thought their children were getting official gradings in Karate – but the certificates are just photocopies of an original – going by the old-style logo – from at least ten years ago. Names of recipients and their grades were filled in with what looks like a black Sharpie marker pen.

However, parents were none-the-wiser, and kept paying. Some paid over a number of years, for more and more certificates as their children achieved new grades in the Wado Ryu type of Karate.

Reverend Joe Ellis, National Chair of the NAKMAS National Governing Body, whose photocopied signature appears on the certificates, said that they are fakes, and that he is “alarmed” by their issue.

Some pupils have been receiving the fake certificates as far back as 2019, despite parents forking out for each and every one. Without proper certification the belts that students have worked towards would not be recognised outside the school.

Rev. Joe Ellis said that he hopes work with the club to ensure that the pupils can keep their belts they have worked so hard to achieve.

Asked if pupils could lose belts they were recently awarded he said: “I will do everything in my power to see that this does not happen.”

NO INSURANCE

Parents at Milford Haven Karate School have told this newspaper they have paid between £25 and £30 per year for licences for the children, but NAKMAS has confirmed that no money has been recevied from Milford Haven Karate School – and therefore the pupils ‘shouldn’t be training or grading’ they said.
“Where has the money gone?” some parents have asked.

Other parents have said they have not received receipts for money paid, nor have they seen copies of the licences paid for – being told that the school is keeping the certificates ‘in case the kids lose them.’

NAKMAS said that although they believe that the school’s instructors may have a current employer’s liability insurance certificate, the children are not covered by any insurance policy as the club was operating as unlicensed.

NAKMAS said they were aware of the school, but had not been informed that it had re-opened post-covid.

The school re-opened last year in May, parents said.

SEVERAL IRREGULARITIES

As well as insurance, NAKMAS has explained that – especially where young children are concerned – their organisation provides governance and safeguarding. This, however, is not in place if the club is operating outside of the National Association. There are also implications for the club’s organisers under The Children’s Act 1989 if best practice when running the club is not adhered to.

Reverend Joe Ellis said: “It has been brought to our attention by The Pembrokeshire Herald, that several irregularities appear in the running of the Milford Haven Karate Club.

“We are alarmed by these and have, today, set in motion a full review and investigation of these issues.

“We will remain supportive of any adults and children in the club who have been adversely affected”

He added: “I am now writing to Kevin John informing him of how to resolve this urgently and to ensure legal and NAKMAS compliance. I am expecting a call from him soon to confirm urgent resolution.”

UNABLE TO COMMENT

Kevin John of Milford Haven Karate School told The Herald: “We are not able to get a meeting with NAKMAS to get to the bottom of this until later today.

“Their legal team has informed us we are not allowed to comment at present.”