Our Story
More than two decades of karate, community, and tradition.
We began with five young students.
2004
The Derrick Golf & Winter Club karate program was founded in 2004 by Sensei Kelsey with just five young students, aged 4-6, one of whom was Sensei Elise, who continues to be involved with the club today.
As the program grew, so did the instructional team. Senseis Lee and Jason joined as assistant instructors, while two dedicated green-belt apprentices (who would later become Sensei Raye and Sensei Janet) began developing the leadership skills that would help shape the club for years to come.
2004-2013
The karate program continued to grow. Many students embraced opportunities to compete in local, regional, and national tournaments while also participating in clinics and workshops, forming lasting friendships along the way.
In early 2013, the club celebrated an important milestone when Sensei Raye earned her Shodan (first-degree black belt), becoming the program's first student to achieve this rank and joining the instructional team as a dedicated black belt.
2013
In 2013, Sensei Kelsey relocated for her spouse's military service, entrusting the program to the capable leadership of Senseis Craig, Raye, Janet, and Jason. Under their guidance, the club continued to grow and thrive.
In 2015, the club celebrated another significant milestone when Sensei Elise earned her Shodan (first-degree black belt), becoming the program's second homegrown black belt and further strengthening the instructional team.
2019-2026
In 2019, Sensei Kelsey returned to coaching alongside Senseis Raye and Elise. The following year, Whitemud Karate Club was officially established with a vision of providing a welcoming, community-based karate program for students of all ages and abilities.
In 2022, Sensei Raye moved to Calgary to pursue law school, while Sensei Elise relocated to Toronto to continue her career and further her education. Although their next chapters took them away from Edmonton, both remain an important part of the Whitemud Karate Club.
Today, the club continues to thrive. Since inception, 15 students have earned their black belts, many of whom have joined our instructional team as senior and assistant instructors. Together, they continue to foster a supportive, inclusive environment where students are encouraged to challenge themselves, grow in confidence, and develop a lifelong love of karate.
Instructional Team: Lead Coaches
Tuesday Minis
Tuesday Teen, Adult:
Sensei Jeni
Sensei Jeni began her karate journey in 2016 as an adult and earned the rank of Shodan in 2024. As someone who started karate later in life, she understands the challenges and rewards that come with being a beginner and is eager to encourage adults to discover the benefits of karate at any stage of life.
Jeni is also a preschool teacher and brings her love of working with young children into the dojo. Her goal is to help students of all ages build confidence, develop new skills, and discover a love of karate and physical activity.
Tuesday Juniors
Tuesday Advanced:
Sensei Kelsey
Sensei Kelsey began her karate journey in 1993. She earned the rank of Shodan in 2004, Nidan in 2007, Sandan in 2011, and Yodan in 2022. From 2008 to 2012, she competed as a member of the Shintani National Team later serving as Assistant Team Manager from 2012 to 2020.
Kelsey began coaching karate in 2002 and holds NCCP coaching certifications. She is passionate about developing athletes both on and off the dojo floor and has dedicated countless hours to building the Whitemud Karate Club program. Her goal is to help every student develop not only strong karate skills, but also confidence, resilience, leadership, and a lifelong love of learning.
Tuesday Youth
Saturday Minis:
Sensei Emily
Sensei Emily began her karate journey in 2013 and earned the rank of Shodan in 2021. From 2019 to 2026, she competed as a member of the Shintani National Team. In 2026, she transitioned from athlete to Assistant Team Manager, taking on a leadership role with the team.
Outside of karate, Emily is an elementary school teacher. In her free time, she enjoys climbing, hiking, skiing, playing tennis, and travelling.
Emily hopes to help her students develop the many qualities she attained through karate: confidence, discipline, leadership skills, and, most importantly, a love of movement!
Saturday Juniors:
Sensei Claire
Sensei Claire has been training in karate at the Derrick Golf & Winter Club since 2009 and currently holds the rank of Nidan (second-degree black belt). An experienced and dedicated coach, she enjoys working with students of all ages and abilities and helping them build their skills and confidence both on and off the dojo floor.
Outside of karate, Claire is studying Medical Laboratory Science at the University of Alberta. In her spare time, she enjoys rowing, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
Saturday Youth:
Sensei Sam
Sensei Sam began her karate journey in 2008 at the Edson Karate Club. After taking a hiatus from training while attending university, she returned to karate with the Whitemud Karate Club. Sam earned her Shodan in 2024 and Nidan in 2026 and has been a member of the Shintani National Team since 2024.
Outside of karate, Sam works as an obstetrical Registered Nurse and plans to pursue graduate studies. In her free time, she enjoys discovering new restaurants, spending time in the mountains, travelling, and crossing new countries off her bucket list.
Sam recognizes the importance of creating a safe, supportive learning environment. Her goal in every class is to help students build confidence, challenge themselves, and feel proud of how far they’ve come.
Saturday Teen/Adult:
Sensei Braden
Sensei Braden started karate at the Edson Karate Club when he was six years old. He trained diligently for years and was one of the few Senseis to receive his black belt over Zoom in 2021.
In 2023, Braden relocated to Edmonton to attend the University of Alberta. He started coaching at the Whitemud Karate Club and is currently training with the Shintani National Team.
Outside of karate, Braden is likely studying at the U of A or learning new piano pieces. If you have any questions about competitive karate, he’d be happy to answer them!
Saturday Advanced:
Sensei Mia
Sensei Mia has been training with Whitemud Karate Club since 2011 earning her Shodan in 2021 and her Nidan in 2024. She is currently a member of the Shintani National Team.
Outside of karate, Mia recently graduated from the University of Alberta with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and plans to pursue a Master’s in Biomedical Engineering. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, going to concerts, and creating things with her 3D printer!
Having experienced firsthand how karate can build confidence and leadership skills, Mia hopes to help her students develop those same qualities both in and outside the dojo.
Instructional Team: Coaches
Sensei Ryan
Sensei Ryan has been training with the Whitemud Karate Club since 2007, earning his Shodan in 2021 and his Nidan in 2024.
Outside of karate, Ryan graduated from the University of Alberta with a degree in Psychology and is currently pursuing a Master's in Counselling Psychology. In his free time, he enjoys playing a mixture of video games and tabletop games like D&D, and spending time with friends and family.
Eventually, he hopes to work as a Registered Psychologist while also continuing to train and coach karate. His goal is to help develop a community that supports every member in any endeavour both in and outside the dojo.
Sensei Jackson
Sensei Jackson began karate at the age of five. He’s trained with the Whitemud Karate Club since, earning his Shodan in October 2022. Having grown up in the program, Jackson brings a strong technical foundation, enthusiasm, and a genuine love of karate to every class he teaches.
Jackson has been a coach with Whitemud Karate Club since 2022. He connects easily with students of all ages and serves as a strong mentor in our program!
Sensei Scott
Sensei Scott’s martial arts journey began with the Shintani Wado Kai Karate Federation (the organization the Whitemud Karate Club belongs to) more than four decades ago. Today, 43 years later, he is a proud father of two karate students of his own, an engineer, and a Shodan.
Over the years, the WKC has become a second home for Scott - a community filled with exceptional instructors, lifelong learning, and plenty of fun along the way.
As a Sensei, Scott’s goal is to share his love of learning, encourage students to challenge what they believe is possible, and help each person become the very best version of themselves.
Sempai Cailyn
Sempai Cailyn has been involved in karate since she was five years old and is currently a brown belt. Returning for her second year as a coach, she is passionate about developing her coaching skills while continuing to grow as a karate athlete herself.
Cailyn loves working with kids of all ages and is always ready to jump into a game. Outside of karate, she is a highly competitive ringette player and also coaches young ringette athletes during the winter.
Sempai Naomi
Bio coming soon.
Leadership Team
Sensei Elise:
Secretary
In 2004, Sensei Elise began as one of the WKC’s original young students. She has since earned the ranks of Shodan (2015), Nidan (2019), and Sandan (2025); competed with the Shintani National Team and Karate Alberta (2017 to 2020); and been nationally recognized for both athletic achievement and community leadership.
During this time, Sensei Elise revitalized and grew Whitemud Karate Club's sport-focused programming with an explicit community- and athlete-centered ethos: when athletes set their own goals but face both successes and setbacks together, they have the opportunity to both find themselves and find their community.
Sensei Elise's dojo training intersects her professional training as a Registered Dietitian. She is dedicated to supporting students of all ages to build healthy, lifelong relationships with both food and movement.
Sensei Raye:
Treasurer
Bio coming soon.
Sensei Kelsey:
President
Sensei Kelsey began her karate journey in 1993 under Senseis James Freeman and Craig Pettie. She attributes her karate accomplishes to them and the countless instructors who have guided her learning, from her home club to her years as a member on the Shintani National Team (2008-2012).
Sensei Kelsey serves as President and Head Instructor of Whitemud Karate Club, where she leads the club’s coaching team and oversees the development and direction of its karate program. She has dedicated countless hours to building a strong, inclusive club community and developing athletes and coaches both on and off the dojo floor.
During class, her goal is to help every student develop confidence, resilience, and leadership that extends far beyond the dojo while off the dojo floor she aims to mentor current and future coaches.
