Whitley karate club was formed by Doug Bell in 1975.

Doug started training in 1969 at the first wado-ryu club in Reading at the age of 37. 5 years later Doug became a 1st Dan. Along with his friend Harvey Whiltshire and son Steve, Whitley karate club was born.

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Doug would later hand over the club to his two sons Steve and Colin who ran the club from there on. Whitley joined Higashi Karate Kai (HKK) which was an association formed by clubs from all over the country. With this association Whitley karate club would compete in competitions and attend additional courses with other clubs.  Whitley karate club went on to produce a number of students that represented HKK at national and international level.

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Karate at Whitley has always been taught in the traditional style but without the regimental strictness of early training methods. The club has always tried to move with the times updating regulations and training to make it more appealing and safeguarding its members while still maintaining the standards and beliefs from the art.

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Whitley Higashi is a family orientated club, and for over 40 years parents and their children have trained together. Now the club has a mix of different student's from all ethnicities and backgrounds. It is a social environment and along with the training social events are also enjoyed. 

  

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