Mark Stevens: 613-639-9671
Pembroke Karate Club
"It is better to be a warrior in the garden, than to be a gardener in war."
--Chinese Proverb--
About Us
Who are we?
The Pembroke Karate Club is a family-owned and operated Traditional Karate club that practices the Itosu-Kai style. Head Sensei Mark Stevens, a Rokudan (6th dan black belt) and Nidan (2nd dan) in Kobudo (weaponry), has been leading the PKC since 1985. Sensei Mark has guided hundreds of students on their Karate journey, showcasing his passion for teaching and his dedication to watching individuals grow in their martial arts practice.
Always eager to learn and improve, Sensei Mark serves as a natural leader for the other black belts and students at the Pembroke Karate Club. He has traveled extensively, pursued continuing education, and earned certifications as a kumite referee, kata judge, and NCCP coach with the Ontario Karate Federation.
The PKC Senseis represent a diverse community, including both men and women, teenagers, and many seniors, all united by their love for martial arts and Karate.
At the Pembroke Karate Club, we are more than just a training facility; we truly consider ourselves a big family, and we would love for you to join us!
Our history
In 1972, Sensei Bill Pinkerton, who had moved to Pembroke from Toronto where he had trained under then Sensei Kei Tsumura (5th Dan) and achieved Shodan (1st Dan) rank, founded the Pembroke Karate Club. In the early years, karate classes were held at Pembroke Senior Public School and Champlain High School, running four nights a week. During the summer months, the club utilized the Judo dojo at CFB Petawawa for Saturday training sessions.
During this period, many dedicated karateka were involved with the Pembroke Karate Club. Notably, three individuals—Jacques Perrault, Karen Perrault, and Mark Stevens—would take on significant roles in the club's future. As Sensei Pinkerton's work took him west, Sensei Jacques Perrault assumed leadership of the club. After Sensei Jacques retired in 1984, Sensei Karen Perrault took over the reins. In 1985, Sensei Mark Stevens achieved the rank of Nidan (2nd Dan) and became the fourth head sensei of the club, a position he has held to this day.
Sensei Jacques Perrault represented the Pembroke Karate Club and Shito Ryu Itosu Kai Canada in Japan in 1979. Similarly, Sensei Mark Stevens participated in the tournament held in Hiroshima, Japan, in 1985. Since then, the Pembroke Karate Club has made its mark at international tournaments, with Sensei Karl Kaufman representing the club in Japan in 2002 and at a tournament in Los Angeles in 2005, where he led the Canadian Kumite team to a second-place finish behind Japan. Sensei Ben Lazarus also represented the club in Malaysia in 2009.
The Pembroke Karate Club consistently demonstrates strong performances at the National Canadian Championships, which are held twice a year.
In 2013, the PKC participated in the Itosu-Kai World Cup in Osaka, Japan, where eleven members represented Canada alongside members from Honbu Club and various other clubs across the country.
In 2018, several of our black belts were trained as Level I National Coaches through the NCCP, further enhancing their coaching skills in traditional karate.
In April 2019, Sensei Codie O'Grady (Stevens) traveled to Yokohama, Japan, with six other Canadian black belts for eight days of intensive training with Soke Sadaaki Sakagami (9th Dan) and several Shihan in the surrounding areas and dojos.
During the summer of 2019, several of our senseis completed their Level II training in the National Coaching Certification Program.
In the summer of 2025, a group of seven PKC black belts joined Team Canada to compete in the Itosu-Kai World Championships in Tokyo.
The Pembroke Karate Club is always exploring ways to enhance our skills, teaching, and coaching methods, as well as our overall knowledge of martial arts, to provide the best karate training possible for our students.
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