News

June 20th 2025. The Club is delighted to announce that both Ryan Carrigan and Patrick Carragher were successful in their grading and have been awarded their Shodan Black Belts. Well done, and welcome to the Budo Club’s Yudansha membership.

March 23rd 2025. The Club is delighted to announce that Sensei Gordon Gavienas has been elected unanimously as Chairman of the Scottish Karate Association. The S.K.A. is the oldest Association in Scotland, and for Gavienas Sensei to be accorded this position is a great honour. All within the Budo family offer our congratulations and best wishes.

November 14th 2024. The Club is delighted to announce that Sensei Alan Major has been appointed to the Refereeing Commission by the SKGB Board of Directors, a fitting honour in recognition of the many hours he has devoted to honing his skills as both Referee and Judge. Congratulations from everyone in the Budo family.

The Club is delighted to announce that, on Friday May 31st 2024, Andrew Kennedy was only the fourth recipient to be awarded the Bert Sutherland Etiquette Award by Gavienas Sensei. Andrew is well aware of the importance of this award within the context of the Club’s history and ethos, and is justifiably proud to have been deemed a worthy recipient by Gavienas Sensei. Well done, Andrew.

The club is delighted to announce that, on Thursday March 28th 2024, Sensei Peter Sheridan was appointed to the position of Child Wellbeing and Protection in Sport Committee Officer by the Board of Directors of Karate Scotland/Scottish Karate Governing Body. Another achievement for the Budo Club under Gavienas Sensei’s direction.

The club is delighted to announce that, on Friday March 17th 2023, the following karateka were awarded the undernoted Dan Grades –

Sensei Gordon Gavienas (Chief Instructor) – 8th Dan

Andrew Kennedy – 4th Dan

Sensei Alan Major (Instructor) – 3rd Dan

Daisy Major – 2nd Dan

Austin Major – 1st Dan

Sagnik Patra – 1st Dan

Just in case you thought the future of the club was in doubt…here comes Zachary

CONGRATULATIONS… The Club is delighted to announce that, on February 6th 2020, Gavienas Sensei attained his European Judge B (Kata) qualification at the Junior European Championships in Budapest. A tremendous achievement for Gavienas Sensei and a fitting reward for the dedication and commitment he has displayed on tatami at local, national and international venues.

CONGRATULATIONS…The Club is delighted to confirm that Leo and Jaxon, having fought a braver fight than most karateka ever will, are now safely home with Lauren and Ross…and Ringo!

CONGRATULATIONS…. The Club is delighted to announce that, on June 6th 2019, Austin Major successfully graded for Shodan Ho (Junior Black Belt) and Lauren Harkins was awarded the prestigious Bert Sutherland Etiquette Award for her dedication and commitment to the principles and practice of karate.

CONGRATULATIONS Alan…. The Club is delighted to announce that, on May 26th 2019, Alan was promoted to British Referee B in Kumite, and British Judge B in Kata. This is a great achievement for Alan under the guidance, encouragement and tutelage of Gavienas Sensei.

CONGRATULATIONS…. The Club is delighted to welcome Zachary, its newest and youngest member. With Natalie and Mark as parents, and Gordon as Grandad, who knows what will be achieved. Welcome to the world, Zachary.

CONGRATULATIONS Natalie : the Club is delighted to announce that Natalie was awarded her Grade A Referee certificate at the National Championships on November 25th 2018.

CONGRATULATIONS 22nd June 2018 : The club is delighted to announce the following grading successes :

Award of 5th Dan – Natalie Gavienas.

Award of 3rd Dan – Andrew Kennedy.

Award of 1st Dan – Daisy Major.

31st December 2017. To all Budo karateka…a Happy New Year and a 2018 filled with effort, achievement, deeper understanding and peace.

17th December 2017 : It is with great pleasure that we are able to announce that Natalie has been appointed to the position of Child Protection Officer for the Scottish Karate Governing Body. This appointment is extremely prestigious and reflects extremely well on both Natalie and the Club ethos espoused by Sensei Gordon Gavienas.

15th December 2017 : The photographs of last night’s Annual Open Evening are now available to view in the Photo Archive page.