HDKI Squad
The Function of the squad is to facilitate the develop the sport element of Karate i.e. Kata (forms) and Kumite (sparing). The goal of the squad is to help the club instructors produce competitors capable of representing HDKI Ireland on the international stage.
We bring teams to domestic and international events, both traditional and sport. The emphasis is strong on the development of well rounded and good karateka. The team of Sensei Ray Stritch, Jason Smyth and Ross Stewart have a wealth of competition experience unparalleled by any other group in Ireland.
We use both the best of traditional and modern sports science to help our competitors. There are 12 sessions each year with 8 in Dublin and 4 around the country. The dates are available on the calendar on this site or from the club instructors.
Upcoming Events
Squad Training - Palmerstown Dojo - Sunday 20th February 2022 11am to 1pm €12
Squad Training - Palmerstown Dojo - Sunday 20th March 2022 11am to 1pm €12
Seminar and Dan Grading - Clondalkin Leisure Centre - Saturday 26th March 2022 1pm
Squad Training - Palmerstown Dojo - Sunday 24th April 2022 11am to 1pm €12
HDKI Open Championship - Tallaght Leisure Centre - Sunday 15th May 2022 9.30am to finish
Squad Training - Palmerstown Dojo - Sunday 22nd May 2022 11am - 1pm €12
Seminar and Dan Grading - Tallaght Leisure Centre - Saturday 11th June 2022 10am - 12pm, 12.30pm to 2pm
Squad Training - Venue TBC - 18/19 June 2022 tbc - 11am - 1pm €12
HDKI International Cup and Seminar - Barcelona - 16th to 18th September 2022.
Squad Coaches
Ray Stritch 6th Dan
Ray first started Shotokan Karate with the KUI at the age of 10 in 1982 in a local club and graded for his orange belt under Sensei Tommy McGrane - who was the chief instructor. He obtained Shodan in 1990 under Sensei Andy Sherry and competed in the First European Competition in Monaco in 1992. He then went on to compete in numerous European and World Championships in countries such as Spain, Portugal, Austria, Switzerland and Germany and also the UK. He retired from International Competition after the World Championships in Chicago in 2005.
He graded for Nidan in 1994 under Sensei Sherry as part of the KUI Group and also obtained Sandan in 1993 again under Sensei Sherry. He later went on to ‘join’ the JKA and graded for Yondan in 2004 under the watchful eye of Sensei Tonaka.
He acheived the Grade of Godan in 2009 under the panel of Sensei’s Andy Sherry, Frank Brennan and Bob Poynton who are the main instructors and Chief of the KUGB. He achieved 6th Dan in June 2016 under the stringent panel of Richard Amos, Scott Langley, Rick Hotton and Aidan Trimble in Norway after the NSF 3 day training camp.
His dojo in Palmerstown has been running successfully since 2009 and is growing and doing very well at both grading and competition level and he is very proud to instruct there.
He is also a qualified judge and referee.
Jason Smyth 5th Dan
Jason started Shotokan karate at the age of 10 in a local club in Corduff Blanchardstown under Sensei Gerry Kane who was a part of the K U I. There he trained for several years up to the grade of 2nd kyu. After a year or 2 of a break and joining the military, in 1991 he went back training in Corduff then under sensei David Royle where he trained for the next 25 years.
In 1999 he passed shodan, in 2005 nidan, in 2008 sandan and in 2012 yondan, all under Sensei Sherry from the KUGB, also competing along the way.
His club is the Hartstown Shotokan karate club, opened in 2004 and is very successful in both gradings and competition. In 2017 he starts the next chapter of his karate story with the HDKI and opens his 2nd club, the Hansfield Shotokan karate club.