Mr. Derek Newsome - 5th Degree Blackbelt
Mr Derek Newsome is the head instructor at NKKA . Born and raised in Dublin, Mr Newsome re-located to Celbridge Co. Kildare in 1997. This is when Mr Newsome began his Kenpo journey after attending Mr Downey's club in Celbridge, Co. Kildare with his son Karl.
Currently ranked a 5th Degree blackbelt, Mr Newsome has been training in the art of Kenpo Karate for over 20 years under the guidance of Master Edward Downey 9th degree blackbelt and president of the European Kenpo Karate Association. Receiving his Blackbelt in 2004, 2nd degree in 2006, 3rd degree in 2010, 4th degree in 2014 and 5th degree in 2019. Mr Newsome is an integral part of Mr Downey's teaching staff helping many students on their journey to achieve things they never thought possible .
Throughout his years of training, Mr Newsome had been actively involved in the EKKA youth development programme helping many young cadets achieve goals they never thought possible. In 2014, Mr Newsome was invited to attend the International championships in California as coach and mentor to the EKKA squad which consisted of both adult and cadet students. Due to the fantastic results achieved by the students, Mr Newsome has been a part of the coaching staff for the EKKA squad in Dublin 2015 and Portugal in 2017.
Mr. Keith Page - 3rd Degree Blackbelt
Keith Page was born in 1980 and raised in Dublin Ireland where he still lives today with his wife Caroline and four daughters - Chloe, Shauna, Alexandra and Lara, all of whom are involved in Kenpo. Currently Chloe holds the rank of brown belt, Shauna holds cadet blackbelt, Alexandra holds cadet brown and Lara cadet yellow.
Mr page has trained in the art of Kenpo Karate under Master Edward Downey 9th Degree Master of the arts and president of the European Kenpo Karate Assocation since 2001. Mr Page began his Kenpo journey after hearing his brother-in-law Derek Newsome talk of the art and Mr Downey's skill level as an instructor. After his first lesson, Mr Page decided that this was the art for him as it was practical for today's self-defense needs.
Currently ranked 3rd Degree Blackbelt, Mr Page has been part of the EKKA coaching team since 2012, travelling with the team to the IKC's in Holland 2012, Boston 2013, California 2014, Dublin 2015 and Portugal 2017 - where the team achieved great success. Mr page has spent many hours throughout his journey helping students young and old to achieve their goals. Mr Page has seen great achievements from the cadets he has coached throughout his journey and also had the pleasure of been a coach and mentor to all his daughters on their kenpo journey thus far. This is something that gives Mr Page a great sense of pride as he is aware of how fortunate he is to be involved.
In 2015 Mr Page attended University College Dublin (UCD) sports and fitness training as a Personal Trainer, Pilates Instructor, Kettlebell Spin and Trx instructor.
Ms. Shauna Page - 1st Degree Blackbelt
Shauna Page has trained in the art of kenpo karate for 9 years. Having started her journey with Master Edward Downey in Celbridge Co Kildare in 2009 shauna has had a journey many could only wish for. Shauna has seen many achievements during this time both on and off the mats. She has competed at all level's where she has won or learned everytime. Shauna trains at both Newbridge kenpo Karate Academy under her instructors Mr Derek Newsome 5th degree Blackbelt and Mr Keith Page 3rd degree Blackbelt, and in Celbridge Kenpo Karate Academy under the guidance of Master Edward Downey 9th degree Blackbelt.
Shauna is always keen to learn and has taken classes with some of the most respected Martial artists in the world. 2018 has been a full year thus far for shauna after completing transition year in school, Shauna headed off once again to California USA to volunteer as a camp helper at the annual Royal Family Kids Camp. A Camp that provides a holiday every year to under privileged children.
Since NKKA opened it doors in Newbridge Industrial estate in 2012 Shauna has taken on a role as a junior instructor, a role Ms Shauna takes very serious. Shauna is a role model to our cadets here at NKKA and gets as much from winning at competitions as she does from seeing a cadet tying their belt for the first time.
Shauna attained 1st degree backbelt in 2019 and teaches classes in both Newbridge Kenpo Karate Academy and Celbridge Kenpo Karate Academy. Shauna also provides private lessons to cadets covering Basics, Techniques, Sparring and Forms.
