Rob Welsh, 6^th Dan Rob started training in 1974 at St. Lukes College Exeter, where he was studying for a Teaching degree. His home club was Wolverhampton Shotokan Karate Club and his main instructors were Neil Thomas and Mick Wragg. At college he joined the Exeter Shotokan Karate Club and his main instructors were Dave Collacott and Ron Hicks. He gained his 1^st Dan in 1978 and in 1980 passed his Refereeing qualification. He has refereed in numerous championships since. In competition Rob has gained 1^st place in the Central Region Championships in Team Kumite, Team Kata and in Individual Kata. Also when a Brown Belt he won the Brown belt kata section of the Shotokan Cup. He appeared in the senior kata finals of National competitions on three occasions, his best place being 3^rd (behind Frank Brennan and Gary Harford). Rob achieved his 6^th Dan in 2006 making him the highest grade in the Central Region. Rob has been involved “behind the scenes” in the KUGB since the early ‘80s and is currently the Central Region Officer. His ambitions are to continue training for as long as it is physically possible and to pass on his knowledge to his club members. Rob cites his proudest moments as: seeing his students gain their Black Belts (especially the senior grades); and having the Tamworth club win the best overall club award at the Central Region Championships for 3 years running.
	Paul Archer, 5^th Dan Paul started karate in 1974 as many people did during the ‘Bruce Lee Era’. He had originally practised Judo from an earlier age and thus already had an interest in the martial arts. He joined the Tamworth Shotokan Club from the outset and has trained with the Club continually from that time. His early instructors were Senseis Kawasoe, Tomita, Rick and Mick Jackson from Coventry and later Cyril Cummins from Birmingham. He gained his 1^stDan in 1981 and latterly his 5^th Dan in 2006. He trains regularly on most KUGB courses and is an approved KUGB Assessor. Paul remains committed to the KUGB and has been the Central Region Treasurer for several years.
	Lin Welsh, 5^th Dan Lin started training in 1976 at St. Lukes College Exeter, where husband-to-be Rob Welsh had affiliated a KUGB club. Unsurprisingly, her main instructors were Rob Welsh and Ron Hicks. She gained her 1^st Dan in 1980. In 1984 Lin passed her Judging qualification being one of the very first ladies to pass and has been seen either judging or working a table at numerous championships since. In recent years she has run the main table at the Nationals and other Championships. In competition Lin has gained 1^st place in the Central Region Championships in Team Kata on several occasions and once in Individual Kata (the same year that husband Rob won the Mens Kata). She has appeared in the senior kata and Team Kata finals of National competitions on a number of occasions, her best place being 3^rd in the Team Kata. She achieved her 5^th Dan in 2008. Lin has been involved “behind the scenes” in the KUGB since the early ‘80s firstly as the Regional Secretary and now as a Championship Committee member.
	Karen Burnham, 4th Dan Karen began training in Shotokan Karate in 1981. Her Father wanted her “to do something so she could look after herself”. She joined the Castle Bromwich Shotokan Karate Club at 12yrs of age and achieved her 1^st Dan in 1986, 2^nd Dan in 1996, 3^rd Dan in 2002 and 4^th Dan in 2008. She entered many competitions during the 1980’s. The highlight was becoming Grand Champion at the National Students’ Championships in 1986. She was also a member of the Central Region Squad during this time and is currently a member of the Central Region Kata Squad. Karen has been teaching karate since 1985. As a student and instructor she believes that Shotokan Karate is powerful, controlled and realistic.