Instructors and Lineage
Graham Ravey - Chief Instructor of T.O.G.K.A
Sensei Ravey has been a huge influence on all of us who train at Sheffield Goju Ryu. We were members of his association until Sensei Golland established Goju Ryu Kyokai. We owe Sensei Ravey a debt of gratitude and respect for the guidance and training he has provided to us over many years.
When Sensei Ravey was 14 years old he became very interested in studying Karate. Eventually Graham found a style called Wado Ryu. When he was 18 years old he changed over to a style called Goju Kai. At the age of 20 years Sensei Graham Ravey decided it was time to go to Japan and seek out some of the old values of traditional Karate. He arrived in Japan and within the first week he was introduced to Sensei Higaonna. Graham was so impressed with Sensei Higaonna that he immediately changed over to studying Goju Ryu. For one whole year Sensei Higaonna made Graham train every day for about six hours a day and after this time Graham was allowed to take his Black Belt 1st Dan. (By this time Graham had been training for over six years). Graham only intended to stay in Japan for one year but that one year eventually stretched into twelve years. Graham worked his way through his grades to 4th Dan - all grades being examined by Sensei Higaonna and all grades being taken in Japan. Graham is the only foreigner to do this.
In 1987 Sensei Graham Ravey was appointed Chief Instructor of Australia (I.O.G.K.F.) and he left Japan to take up permanent residence in Australia.
By 1988 Sensei Ravey had established the T.O.G.K.A. (Traditional Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate Do Association) to preserve the old ways and values of Okinawa Karate.
Sensei Simon Golland - Chief Instructor of England, T.O.G.K.A
Simon started Goju Ryu training in 1990, having previously studied a variety of different styles such as Shotokan, Jujitsu and traditional weapons. He first discovered Goju Ryu Karate at Greystones Karate Club (Britain's oldest Goju Ryu Karate Club), home to Senseis such as Steve Bellamy, Graham Ravey, Steve Legden, Gavin Hall and Mick Warrington to name a few. He has trained in Goju Ryu ever since, believing it is a complete system. In 2001 Simon opened his own Goju Ryu Dojo in Sheffield, England.
In the absence of Sensei Ravey who was then living in Australia, Simon sought guidance and teachings from Sensei George Andrews (OTGKA), and the IOGKF so as to not become stale as some instructors can do. Continually developing his skills Simon has received instruction from renowned martials artists such as Morio Higaonna Sensei, Terauchi Sensei and Nakamura Sensei of IOGKF, George Andrews Sensei (OTGKA/IOGKF), and Sifu Martin Paul Watts (White Crane Kung Fu). In 2006 he competed in the ‘IOGKF World Championships, Canada’, as a member of the OTGKA England squad.
In 2005 when Sensei Graham Ravey returned to England, Simon continued his training with him. In 2009, after passing his 4th dan grading Sensei Simon was appointed position of TOGKA - UK Chief Instructor. In 2010 Sensei Graham Ravey "passed the batton" of the TOGKA over Simon to continue to promote and grow the association.
Sensei Graeme Sampson - Head Instructor Sheffield Goju Ryu
In 2013 Sensei Simon emigrated to Australia and passed control of the club to Sensei Graeme Sampson. Graeme will continue to develop and grow both the club as a whole and the karateka who attend it.
Sensei Ravey has been a huge influence on all of us who train at Sheffield Goju Ryu. We were members of his association until Sensei Golland established Goju Ryu Kyokai. We owe Sensei Ravey a debt of gratitude and respect for the guidance and training he has provided to us over many years.
When Sensei Ravey was 14 years old he became very interested in studying Karate. Eventually Graham found a style called Wado Ryu. When he was 18 years old he changed over to a style called Goju Kai. At the age of 20 years Sensei Graham Ravey decided it was time to go to Japan and seek out some of the old values of traditional Karate. He arrived in Japan and within the first week he was introduced to Sensei Higaonna. Graham was so impressed with Sensei Higaonna that he immediately changed over to studying Goju Ryu. For one whole year Sensei Higaonna made Graham train every day for about six hours a day and after this time Graham was allowed to take his Black Belt 1st Dan. (By this time Graham had been training for over six years). Graham only intended to stay in Japan for one year but that one year eventually stretched into twelve years. Graham worked his way through his grades to 4th Dan - all grades being examined by Sensei Higaonna and all grades being taken in Japan. Graham is the only foreigner to do this.
In 1987 Sensei Graham Ravey was appointed Chief Instructor of Australia (I.O.G.K.F.) and he left Japan to take up permanent residence in Australia.
By 1988 Sensei Ravey had established the T.O.G.K.A. (Traditional Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate Do Association) to preserve the old ways and values of Okinawa Karate.
Sensei Simon Golland - Chief Instructor of England, T.O.G.K.A
Simon started Goju Ryu training in 1990, having previously studied a variety of different styles such as Shotokan, Jujitsu and traditional weapons. He first discovered Goju Ryu Karate at Greystones Karate Club (Britain's oldest Goju Ryu Karate Club), home to Senseis such as Steve Bellamy, Graham Ravey, Steve Legden, Gavin Hall and Mick Warrington to name a few. He has trained in Goju Ryu ever since, believing it is a complete system. In 2001 Simon opened his own Goju Ryu Dojo in Sheffield, England.
In the absence of Sensei Ravey who was then living in Australia, Simon sought guidance and teachings from Sensei George Andrews (OTGKA), and the IOGKF so as to not become stale as some instructors can do. Continually developing his skills Simon has received instruction from renowned martials artists such as Morio Higaonna Sensei, Terauchi Sensei and Nakamura Sensei of IOGKF, George Andrews Sensei (OTGKA/IOGKF), and Sifu Martin Paul Watts (White Crane Kung Fu). In 2006 he competed in the ‘IOGKF World Championships, Canada’, as a member of the OTGKA England squad.
In 2005 when Sensei Graham Ravey returned to England, Simon continued his training with him. In 2009, after passing his 4th dan grading Sensei Simon was appointed position of TOGKA - UK Chief Instructor. In 2010 Sensei Graham Ravey "passed the batton" of the TOGKA over Simon to continue to promote and grow the association.
Sensei Graeme Sampson - Head Instructor Sheffield Goju Ryu
In 2013 Sensei Simon emigrated to Australia and passed control of the club to Sensei Graeme Sampson. Graeme will continue to develop and grow both the club as a whole and the karateka who attend it.