Jen Currie

At 8 years old, I joined my dad, Roy Currie, in training with CFTS at the Brickhill club. Despite being reluctant to go along at first, I soon found that I really enjoyed doing karate, especially kata! Initially, I was training alongside both my parents and my sister, which motivated me to do my best and keep up with them.

Soon, I found myself doing an extra night a week at the Kempston club with Renshi Kidby. Training with him was definitely a step up from what I was used to, but being able to admire those further up the line really gave me something to aspire to. When my dad was training in the senior session, I loved being able to watch the senior grades, looking forward to when I’d be able to join them.

I carried on training regularly from then, and whilst many friends left, including my sister, I stayed; thanks to encouraging words from my teachers and dad, and also, I suspect, my competitive streak. However, not long after I’d become much more confident in my training, I found myself unable to train at all - in March 2020, as a result of COVID. I definitely felt the loss of karate, as it had been such a constant in my life. As soon as I was able, I began to train again (although socially distanced to start). I think that although I missed being able to do karate in the dojo, this time was really important for me in my own practice, as I was able to really focus on myself rather than those around me, and I feel my karate matured a lot during this period.

After this, I passed my Shodan grading in November 2021; which was definitely one of the greatest achievements of my life so far! I remember all of it, even though it was a long day. Some parts were very challenging, but being able to overcome that challenge made the belt feel earned.

Since then, I’ve greatly enjoyed my responsibilities as a dan grade. Helping with coaching and gradings feels like giving back to the community that I’ve grown up with and has brought me so much joy and confidence, so to be able to provide that for others is an honour.

I passed my Nidan grading in September 2024, and it has made me even keener to continue training to the best of my ability! Shortly after the grading, I commenced study at Glasgow University and, of course, joined the Glasgow University Karate Club – which offers a mix of Shotokan and Shito Ryu and has given me the opportunity to explore a wider range of kata such as Nipaipo, Anan and Kururunfa. I’m also still training at Kempston, Brickhill and Newport over the summer and when I’m back in Bedford between terms.