The team comes from the renowned North Shore Dojo, and the program targets students with various abilities and trains them in the art of karate. This promotes physical, mental, and spiritual strength to improve their overall wellbeing.
Founder of North Shore Dojo and head sensei Jeff Kohn gives children with special needs the chance to take part in something in which they would not normally be included. Talking about his philosophy and the program overall, Kohn said:
“The intention is to provide inclusion and adaptation in a program that is both recreational and competitive in nature.
"The program works at transforming attitudes and creating social and cultural change through its ability to engage children who are often overlooked and undeserved by their communities.
"Sometimes, it's just a matter of stepping away from the traditional methods and finding what works with that child. I’ve watched in awe at the courage and inner strength of students with special needs. I’ve learned that there is no limit to the human spirit.”
Dojos such as North Shore have uniforms (known as a ‘gi’) and no doubt use clothing printing companies to emblazon their logo on the back, with the uniform completed with the various colored belts. Printing services could also be used to help get the word out about the dojo and recruit new members.