South Calgary Karate Club

Congrats to our first athletes earning their white stripe in our Para-Karate Program! Thank you to our coaches Sensei Heather, Sensei Teresa, and Sensei Sara for your time and dedication to this amazing new program, as well as to Sensei Natalie and Sensei Conrad for assisting as leaders.

What an amazing semester! See you in the Fall 🥋

Congratulations to Heather Fidyk on receiving the 2025 Alberta Sport Recognition Award – Coach Recognition Award!

This prestigious recognition celebrates Heather’s outstanding contributions to karate in Alberta and across Canada. As President of Karate Alberta and National Para Karate Coach, Heather has dedicated countless years to developing athletes, coaches, and inclusive opportunities within our sport. Her leadership has helped athletes achieve success on the national and international stage, including multiple World and Pan American Championship medals. (Alberta Sport)

One of Heather’s most remarkable achievements is the creation of Canada’s Para-Karate program in 2014, a program that began in Alberta and has become a national model for inclusion and excellence. (Alberta Sport)

Thank you, Heather, for your vision, dedication, and unwavering commitment to growing karate and creating opportunities for athletes of all abilities. Your impact extends far beyond the podium and continues to inspire our entire karate community.

Congratulations on this well-deserved honour!

South Calgary Karate Club – Inaugural Dan Grading

On June 6, 2026, Sensei Heather Fidyk was honoured by the black belt members of South Calgary Karate Club with the South Calgary Karate Dan Certificate #0001, recognizing her rank of Shichidan (7th Dan), which she earned in 2020, a meaningful acknowledgment of her karate, leadership, dedication, and service to the club.

Marking the beginning of its fourth decade, the South Calgary Karate Club proudly hosted its inaugural black belt grading on June 12, 2026. The event was a meaningful milestone, reflecting the years of dedication, perseverance, and commitment shown by each candidate, and it was an honour to recognize their continued journey in karate.

We are pleased to announce the following Dan Certificate presentations:

5th Dan
Lyle Muenchrath (posthumous, accepted by his daughter Jill Muenchrath)
Frank Hagenaars
Ray Muller

4th Dan
Thomas Elford
John Maslen
Geraldine Young
Jonathan Hurdman

2nd Dan
Corey Nicolaisen
Sara Nicolaisen
Seth McCauley

These gradings represent not only technical excellence but also leadership, contribution, and a long-standing commitment to the karate community.

We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the evaluation team: Sensei Heather Fidyk, Sensei Darren Fidyk, Sensei Chris Ashby, Sensei Paul Kamprath, Sensei Ray Muller, Sensei Kevin Kowal, Sensei John Maslen and Sensei Heather MacDonald, whose time, expertise, and care helped create a meaningful and supportive grading experience.

Thank you to everyone who supported this important step for our club. We look forward to continuing to grow, learn, and build strong karate together.

So proud of all of our amazing students! Thank you so much to all of you who bring your karate spirit to the club!

Everyone did an incredible today, we can't wait for our upcoming Tournament this Saturday, June 13th, make sure to bring your new belts and get ready for an awesome day filled with fun and some food at the end🥋

June 13th will also be the FINAL day to earn challenge coins, so make sure to get those cards complete. See a Sensei for any questions.

Reminder to bring donations for the Veterans Food bank of Calgary on the Tournament day! SCKC will be MATCHING the weight of donations brought in by the competitors (thats you), so lets help the community and bring as much as we can 👍

Grading & Tournament

We are accepting food bank donations for the Veteran Food Bank of Calgary! Continuing from the Spring Tournament, South Calgary Karate Club will match the weight of the donations collected at our end of year tournament!

Grading: June 6th 9am - 12:30pm Belt evaluations and presentation. Come have some karate fun! Present and demonstrate your skills while working towards your next rank.

Tournament: June 13th 10am - 12:30pm End of year mini tournament and social; show off what you’ve been working on this semester and have some friendly competition.

2026 Karate Canada Junior National Championships

From beginning to end, the tournament was an incredible success, with every match bringing unforgettable moments, great competition, and amazing energy. Congratulations to all the competitors, coaches, and officials; your dedication, teamwork, and hard work throughout the weekend make these events truly special.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this tournament such a memorable experience both on and off the field.

alberta

2026 Karate Canada Junior National Championships!

We have sent a number of our South Calgary Karate Club members up to Edmonton to participate, volunteer, and organize the Tournament.

Best of luck to our competitor representing Karate Alberta!!!

Congrats to our students who successfully underwent their Brown Belt Grading! Amazing work, you truly showcased your best work and demonstrated a deep understanding of the techniques you have dedicated yourselves to.

Congratulations! 👏

May Newsletter is here!

Go to southcalgarykarate.ca/events to read more about recent and upcoming events, including some fun opportunities!