FOUR new gradings prove the level of professionalism at a Tyne Valley karate club.

A successful day at Stamfordham for Wylam Karate Club resulted in assistant instructor Joe Robson (19), of Ovington, becoming a third dan black belt, while students Ellis Leonard (16), of Ovingham, Caitlin Humes (11), of Prudhoe, and Ellie Maitland (11), of Crawcrook, became second dans.

The rankings are hard to achieve with the third dan the highest one you can train for. And four people achieving the higher grades than a black belt is a huge achievement for the local club.

It is particularly impressive for people as young as Caitlin and Ellie, who became the club’s first black belt in 2015, to achieve such a high level.

The success has blown chief instructor Jamie Clelland away, and he is delighted the hard work of his students has been rewarded.

He said: “Ellis is still young to get his second dan at 16, but it is amazing that girls so young have managed to achieve it.

“Caitlin is extremely committed and is very strong with her katas, which is a sequence of movements.

“Ellie is very powerful for a little girl and is so strong, and she is very confident. She’s not shy at all!

“Ellis is extremely athletic and is a good high jumper, and that is certainly one of his strengths.

“What is particularly pleasing about Joe, who is great at memorising routines, is that he has grown so much in confidence since he started teaching with me. He came to me very timid, but now he is very assertive and confident when he teaches.”

Despite their tender years, Ellie and Caitlin have progressed so much that they are allowed to teach other members at the class during warm-ups.

Jamie started karate under the expert guidance of chief instructor Chris Yates 14 years ago, and was taught alongside both Joe and Ellis who have 12 and 10 years of experience behind them respectively.

It is amazing how far they have all come during that time, and the sport is blossoming through the work at Wylam.

Jamie said: “I’m really impressed with them all because it isn’t easy; it’s really not!

“The fact they have all come out and did it with such confidence and all achieved the grades they were after is phenomenal.

“I have people with the highest black belts at the club, and that’s just brilliant to see.”

Meeting on a weekly basis, Wylam Karate Club regularly attracts up to 20 youngsters, mainly between the ages of five and 13. Anyone interested in finding out more can contact Jamie Clelland on (07913) 816641.