about us

Roche Blackbelt Academy's chief instructor Sensei Graham Roche 6th Dan has been teaching Karate & Kickboxing in and around the Wakefield area since around 1986. Many of those early years were spent teaching in community centres, schools & church halls. 

Graham & Carol Roche, 2nd Dan, established R*B*A in March 2011. Our Martial Arts & fitness centre in Lofthouse Gate is the realisation of a lifelong dream for Graham, to run a full time centre teaching quality Martial Arts to people of all ages from all backgrounds. Many people take up Martial Arts for different reasons: fitness, self defence, discipline or to become martial arts champions. Over the years we have helped several people realise their dreams of becoming National Champions, European Champions & World Champions. The present World Champion Darren Bevis has trained at R*B*A since 2006, he joined as a complete beginner and he has remained at the club becoming an instructor and a 2nd Dan Black belt.