Rhys Ivemey is only 23 years of age but is a Black Belt Second Dan in the Shotokan version of karate, is close to achieving his coveted Third Dan and already has his own club situated at Pennar Community School which takes place three evenings a week.
 
Two of those are held for juniors and seniors from as young as five to others approaching 60 whilst the third class is held for youngsters (and sometimes not so young) with additional needs speciality class - and it is great to report that already a couple of eager participants have now joined the mainstream class.
 
"The emphasis is on gaining confidence and having fun," Rhys told us, "but with the aim of having a sense of satisfaction from taking part and building up our relationships.
 
"We also encourage our mainstream members to come and join us to ensure we have lots of close attention."
 

Family involvement

 
"In addition, parents of youngsters coming to join us are encouraged to take part if they want to because we pride ourselves on being very much a family-orientated club."
 
And there can be no greater proof of that fact because the Ivemey family is heavily involved: with brothers Huw and Ewan, who also plays as hooker in the Pembrokeshire Schools' rugby team, both Black Belts in their own right. Mum Michelle isn't a participant but there is no greater supporter of her boys, whilst Rhys's partner, Rowan Griffiths, is already a Purple Belt.
 
Ask Rhys about other sports in his life and he would chuckle because his first response is, "Where would I have time to get involved? My life revolves around karate!
 
"As well as my teaching commitment, I am working towards my Third Dan and the examination for that will take place in Cumbria!"
 

Wada Ryu start with Graham
 

Rhys started out in karate when he used to go and watch Huw take part and once he was under way learned a lot from Graham Thomas, who has done so much for the sport in the area.
 
After two years he joined the Karate Club in St Florence where he came under the influence of Michael O'Brien, who is an Eighth Dan, and the Karate Union of Wales.
 
He started out with Wado Ryu karate but it was at this stage that he came across the Shotokan version of karate, which is quite similar in style, other than there is more emphasis on teaching self defence, rather than combative competitions.
 
"We do have fighting as part of our grading system but less of it in members travelling to compete in championships."
 

Early practice at home – and the serious stuff started

 
Rhys had already had something of a head start because he had practised moves at home with Huw and so he was soon passing through the range of belts, which starts out with white, progressing through orange, red, yellow, green before continuing with his purple belt and then purple belt with white stripe.
 
From there the really strenuous stuff began and Rhys passed his gradings for his brown belt and brown belt with white stripe before the serious business of going for his black belt.
 
"I can remember the thrill of achieving my orange belt and it took me almost six years to become a Black Belt First Dan, perhaps longer than I would have hoped but the switch from Wada Ryu style to Shotokan made a difference - although I have no regrets now."
 

Nervous gradings and a key decision made!

 
`I was nervous when I went for my First Dan grading, which was held in Cardiff under Chico Mbakwe, perhaps because I knew he was something of a legend with his Seventh Dan status.
 
"Then three years ago I went for my Second Dan status and this time it was held in Cardiff with Mike O'Brien, who is an Eighth Dan, so I can pick my examiners!"
 
After a great deal of thought, Rhys decided it was time to start up his own club so that he could pass on his expertise and love of his sport to others, and so the Kazoku Hombu Dojo began on the 2nd May 2012 at Pennar Community School, where the head teacher, Mr Damon McGarvie, as also a Black Belt, in judo.
 
"I gave the name a great deal of thought before picking the Japanese for 'Family Core Training Place' because I really do want to emphasise the importance of family values as well as the self-discipline that is vital.
 

Warm welcome assured

 
"The first two weeks are free and kids can come in shorts and tee shirts, and although the emphasis is on good fun there is a sense of self-discipline and respect in the dojo for the rules and others taking part.
 
At the moment, Rhys is understandable delighted that two of his students, Caitlin Shanahan and Daniel Bradley, have just achieved their black belts, and demonstrating the healthy age range in the club since Caitlin is 18 and Daniel is 43.
"Both have worked tremendously hard," Rhys told us, "and it is fitting reward for all their hard work over several years."
 
“I’m equally pleased, however,” admitted Rhys, “that we have five talented youngsters from 11 to 16 who are working hard for their Brown Belts because they are the future of the club.
 

Components explained – and important visitors arrive

 
“Like everyone else looking ahead to a grading session they know the three components, which are Kihon (demonstration of techniques learned specifically for the grading), Kata (set series of moves that show their range of skills) and Kumite (the ability to compete against others of the same level over a relatively short period).
 
In training there is the chance to let off steam and have a bit of fun in a warm up that includes races for the kids and more stretching and grappling sessions for the grown-ups, the main session often involves working tremendously hard to polish up techniques identified by visiting karate gurus that need attention.
 
"We have experts from all over to give advice and in recent times we have had them from Leeds, London and Cardiff to give seminars that can only be a boost to us all, including me – and we also keep in touch locally and occasionally I have visited Milford Haven Karate Club and their coach, Kevin John, has done the same for me."
 
So how do you join Rhys Ivemey at Kazoku Hombu Dojo? Just pop along to Pennar Community School of an evening and meet someone who is highly enthusiastic, committed and well qualified, as we found during our chat with this exponent of the Shotokan version of karate.