Derek Laing started Karate in May 1993 under Sensei Damian Kirby (AMA). He trained up to 3rd Kyu but moved away from the area in October 1994. He then trained under Sensei Norman Kay (NAKMAS) and made 1st Dan in December 1996.

 
He started his first karate club in July 1998 at the local martial arts gym. He called this club Kushanku-Ryu Karate School. When the martial arts gym closed down the following year he moved the club to Lambton St. Fellowship Centre and renamed the club Lambton St. Karate Kai.

In April 2000 Derek passed his 2nd Dan in Shotokan Karate by the grading panel of the Independent Federation of Martial Arts headed by Sensei George Coates. Lambton St. Karate Kai joined Karate International/ TradKA-UK in June 2003 and with the help of Sensei Steve Leak and Sensei Jim Reece formed Sunderland Karate Academy. In January 2004 he opened his 2nd club called Redhouse Karate Kai.

Sensei Derek Laing passed his 3rd Dan in March 2004 by the grading panel of Karate International headed by Sensei Peter Clarke and Sensei Steve Leak. In July 2006 S.K.A. Instructor Sensei Steve Colvin opened his first club with the help of Sensei Derek Laing. The club is called St. Andrews Karate Kai and becomes the 3rd Sunderland Karate Academy School in the area. The following month Sunderland Karate Academy became a direct member of the British National Martial Arts Association and Black Belt International.

Town End Karate Kai opened in July 2007 to become the 4th school to fall under the S.K.A. Banner a great example of the growth and success of the academy.