Shihan Riley started his martial arts training in 1972 practicing Wado Ryu karate, achieving Shodan. He has also studied Shotokan and Shuko Kai karate as well. Whilst practicing Wado Ryu karate he came across an aikido dojo and thought practicing aikido would enhance his karate as there were locks and throws in Wado Ryu.

The aikido dojo he joined practiced large ?owing technique which was very stylised. After attending a course by Sensei Gary Williams and Sensei Brian Whipps, he found a good down to earth style that he related with and continued to follow these two instructors for several years.

Sensei Riley was practising his aikido and karate 4-5 times a week at this period plus travelling to courses at weekends whenever there were any. In September 1979 he started a private class for four friends in Hudders?eld and by the following month the class had become a formal class and the White Rose was born.

Sensei Riley has had the privilege to receive tuition from many Japanese and home grown senseis since 1975 such as Terry Bayliss Shihan, William Smith OBE and Ken Cottier Shihan.

Sensei Riley was awarded Shihan (7th Dan/Master Instructor) in December 2009 by Shihan Bayliss.