A TRANSFORMATIVE ladies’ karate class is teaching local women how to fight back.

A passion project by Paul Barradell, the self-defence class runs at the Honeywell Sports Village every Wednesday, from 9.45am to 10.45am.

Paul told the Chronicle that the inspiration was borne from parents of youngsters who attend his Cawthorne Karate Club wanting a go at the martial art - but feeling hesitant about joining mixed classes and feeling low in confidence.

The class had humble beginnings, kicking off with three ladies who had limited or no fitness experience to get a taste for self-defence moves.

In the year since its creation, the club has gone from strength to strength, with ten regular members who have grown exponentially in experience and confidence.

As an experienced karate instructor, decorated with medals and having earned the stripes on his belt, Paul created the classes as a way to give back.

The sessions are a passion project, with Paul volunteering his time to provide classes free of charge.

He explained that the sessions weren’t just to help women defend themselves, but to build a community that valued fitness and social connection.

He said: “In the 12 months we’ve been going, the ladies have come out of their shells and made friends.

“We have coffee and a chat after and we’ve even got some branded hoodies in the works, which they want to be light pink.

“I’m so glad they asked me to run the class, we’re always trying to get more people in to learn how to defend themselves and stay for a chat after.

“We’ve had ladies come to classes from as far away as Huddersfield, who are anywhere from 30s to their 60s.

“The ladies go at their own pace and have started grading.

“They’ve learned basic techniques, kata, which is a sequence of moves and we do a lot of pad work.

“The ladies have completely transformed in this past year and some of them have said it’s one of the best things that’s happened to them.

“Not only have they made friends, but I’ve made some good friends too, I’m very proud of them and most importantly they are proud of themselves.”