The Tribune

CHILDREN at an Englerston karate school can continue to practice their martial arts without disturbing the neighbours thanks to a good deed triggered by Police Officer Corporal Don Dorsett. There had been a danger that the noise coming from Smokey’s Karate School in Englerston would force it to close.

The school, which caters mostly to children, is located on the second floor of a commercial plaza on Soldier Road, and was in danger of losing the space due to the sounds emitted during training which proved an annoyance for tenants below. Smokey’s was in dire need of a gym carpet and a specialty work-out mat.

Through the West Englerston Urban Renewal Programme, Officer Dorsett had worked with both BTC and Smokey’s and when he learned of the problems he decided to bring the two together again to help save the day.

Last week BTC officially presented Smokey’s with new carpeting and a safety work-out mat worth around $3,000.

Jerome Sawyer, BTC Senior Manager, Public, said that the new carpeting and mat allowed the school to continue their trademark acrobatic routines without disturbing their neighbours and also allow the children to tumble and spar more safely.

“Carpeting and a mat may seem a very small thing but it was significant for ‘Smokey’ and the kids. The floor coverings make it safer for the children to train and ensures peace and quiet for the tenants below. BTC is glad to help as a part of our ongoing commitment to communities and we are gratified that they were gracious enough to put the ‘BTC Everyday’ logo on the new mat.”

School founder and lead instructor Master Ronald ‘Smokey’ Martin said that the impact of the donated mat went beyond simply muting the sounds of practice.

“What we do here is take inner city kids and add a positive spin to their life with physical and mental training disciplines,” he said. “We teach them life skills, self-respect and respect of others and they enjoy the experience and the outcome. However, not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to pay, so partnerships like the one with BTC allow us to accept those who can’t.”

BTC has been involved with Smokey’s Karate School since the students gave an exhilarating performance at the opening of the BTC-sponsored Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt Park, Coconut Grove in October 2012. Mr Sawyer said it was this exciting performance almost two years ago that set everything in motion.

“Our CEO Geoff Houston and staff were so impressed with SKS’ performance at the Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt Park that we struck up a relationship with the school. When Officer Don Dorsett, approached us with ‘Smokey’ and the kids there was no doubt that we would donate the carpet and mat ... and you can see the result.”

Officer Dorsett said Urban Renewal is involved with the Karate school because of the positive influence the training has on the children. “Urban Renewal didn’t have a choice but to tag-team with ‘Smokey’,” he said. “What he does with the kids is so genuine. And from what I have seen of BTC lately, there is no better partnership.”

‘Smokey’ agrees that the match was meant to be and has high hopes that the school can go from strength to strength and benefit greatly in many ways with the floor coverings and BTC’s support.

“This sponsorship of the mat is a big help for us, we were able to keep the gym because of the mat. Now, the sky is the limit for us ... I would like to thank BTC for allowing us to be partners; we now look forward to bigger and better things to come.”