End of 2016 - Ready for 2017! End of year round up.

Accomodation Issues

The last bit of bad news to hit Meiyo Karate Club was Schools' Plus's refusal to renew our contract for Monday nights in favour of a more lucrative contract at Bulwell Academy.  Chris Tilley (Community Champion for Tesco Bulwell Extra) came to the rescue and we have moved our weekday classes to the store's Community Room. 

The first class of the year at Tesco Bulwell Extra will take place on Wednesday 4th January 2017 at 7:30pm for anyone over the age of 8.  The normal training schedule will then continue for adults from Saturday 7th January 2017.  The full schedule is detailed below.

The first Tigers class (5-7 year olds) will take place on Monday 9th January 2017 at 6:15pm.  Places are limited to 20 students and the price has been reduced as an initiative to get more people into sport for life, in partnership with Tesco Bulwell Extra.  The training costs are a weekly subscription of £3.

The costs have also been reduced for people over 8.  It now costs £10 subscription per week and this covers you for 3 lessons per week.

Please be aware that you will still need to purchase a licence and a 'gi' (karate suit) in time but we're inviting you to come and train free for a week to see if you enjoy it.  We have a limitation of 20 students per class, so please register your interest early as we currently have 9 people training with us.

The Tiger's system is an introduction to the basics of Karate and should equip them to be able to pass their gradings when they reach the age of 8.  There will be gradings held within class for them, as it's a less pressured environment.  Parents are encouraged to join the adult training programme as it's beneficial in terms of providing motivation to youngsters.  Our new training schedule is as follows:

Training Days for 2017

Mondays & Wednesdays
6:15 - 7pm Meiyo Tigers (5-7 years old)
7 - 8pm under 16s.
8 - 9pm adults.

Venue: Tesco Bulwell Extra

Jennison St, Bulwell,

Nottingham NG6 8EQ

Saturdays

9:30 - 10:30am Under 16s. 

10:30 - 11:30am Adults. 

Venue: The Bulwell Academy

Squires Avenue, Bulwell

Nottingham NG6 8HG

Annual Awards

Every year I present the two hardest working students with an award.  The winner of this year's 'Karateka of the Year Shield' is Kristyana.  She's attended the most lessons and worked the hardest.  Her personal confidence has increased and she displays drive and determination in the dojo that reflect in other areas of her life.  Congratulations Kristyana.

Our club's examiner is Sensei Simon Oliver.  He's pictured here presenting Kristyana with her belt for achieving 7th Kyu.

Denisa won the 'Tiger of the Year' award for her ability in the dojo.  She started training with us as a Tiger at the age of 6.  She changed over to the 8 year old old classes this year and has done very well so far.  Congratulations Denisa. 

Instructors at Meiyo Karate Club are unpaid volunteers.  The training fees go towards instructor training, admin and venue costs.  When there is money left over, some will go towards helping the 'Disabled Artists's Network' and the rest is to be saved for the students as my hope is to send our first Dan grade achiever to Japan for some training in the company of Sensei Oliver.

I'd like to thank our Committee members for the work they do for the club and also a special thank you to Grangeprint for looking after us through the year.  You can find out more about the club, it's parent project and activities by clicking here.

All that's left is to wish you all a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays or any other way in which you celebrate this time of year, wishes for a Happy New Year in 2017 and I hope to see you at the Dojo.

Kind Regards,

Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu

Chairman

Meiyo Karate Club

Changes at Meiyo Karate Club and an Update, Bulwell, Nottingham

First of all, congratulations to everyone that graded with Sensei Oliver on Sunday last.  You all did very well and are a credit to the dojo.  Also, well done to everyone that turned up to train with Sensei Oliver.  These 3 courses plus the course with Sensei Yamazaki are our compulsory courses.

Some of you are aware that we've been waiting for the JKR to issue our new grading syllabus.  Sensei Oliver issued it today and it's live on www.meiyo.org.uk.  I'm sure, like me, you'll enjoy getting to grips with the changes and they'll help us to develop a more diverse self defence system within ourselves.

Our costs had to be temporarily raised to pay for our new training venue because not everyone could get to this venue.  Once we have our numbers back up, I will reduce the costs to the previous levels ... this will mean that the charges will drop from a £15 weekly subscription to a £10 weekly subscription for 3 lessons per week.

Adult classes and children's classes are split now.  Kids start at 7pm, adults at 8pm on Monday and Thursday evenings.  On Saturday mornings, kids start at 9:30am and adults at 10:30am.

Come and try a week of free lessons and see how you get on.  If you've trained with an organisation that we recognise and you're returning to training or transferring in, we'll start you off at the same grade.

Follow our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/meiyokc/ and please share this post.

See you at the dojo.

Regards

Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu

Yamazaki Sensei Seminar 2016 & Meiyo KC's Student of the Month

Sensei Yamazaki provided us with yet another inspiring seminar in September.

As well basic techniques and correct attitude, the all grades course focused on stringing techniques together, enabling karateka to flow from one technique to another;  a valuable lesson for all of us.






Sensei's teachings are valued by karateka from many other affiliations and it's always good to meet up with people from other clubs and exchange ideas on how we run our clubs etc.


Two of Meiyo karate Club's junior members caught Sensei Yamazaki's attention and were brought to the front to demonstrate some techniques to other members of the class - Well done Saul and Hannah!

It's important to remember the route you took in the development of your Karate - although a personal journey, the influences of your Senseis will have made their mark upon you.  This is why we try to provide images of your development so that when you go on to become a Dan grade or a teacher yourself, you'll have a pictorial history of your own development and will remember people like Yamazaki Sensei and Oliver Sensei and the parts that they play, and will continue to play, in the development of our Karate.

At Meiyo KC, I award the hardest working student an award every month.  I take account of your attendance (minimum of 2 lessons per week), your effort and your progression through elements of your grading syllabus.

Congratulations to Kristyana for being this month's winner.  She works hard at her Karate and clearly gives 100% commitment to her training.  Keep up the good work!  

We currently have vacancies for both adults and children. If you'd like to pop in and try a free lesson, please get in touch.  Just wear some loose fitting track suit bottoms and a full necked T-shirt and come in to one of the sessions.  Full details of our training times are on www.meiyo.org.uk.

I hope to see you at the dojo soon.

Regards,

Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu

Instructor,

Meiyo Karate Club

Moving all lessons to Bulwell Academy

Space always becomes an issue with Dojos (training halls) and with our training syllabus, even more so.

We need to be flexible with our days and that which we attempt to teach.  When you consider that one of the weapons in the syllabus is a 6ft staff (bo), space is very important.  We tried using the bo at The ICCA but there was always the concern of someone poking one through one of the glass windows and as the membership has been growing a move was inevitable.

As of 5th September 2016 we will train solely at Bulwell Academy at the following times:
Mondays & Thursdays
7 - 8pm under 16s.
8 - 9pm adults.

Saturdays
9:30 - 10:30am Under 16s.
10:30 - 11:30am Adults.

We have also now split the classes up into two sections: Under 16s and Adults.  If you're a returner to Karate, you'll be most welcome.  Put your 'gi' on and come and join us.  If you decide to join the Dojo, providing you have proof (existing licence, certificate etc), you'll be allowed to keep your existing grade pending an assessment by Sensei Oliver.  I'll help you get up to scratch with that if needed.

In order to secure the venue we have moved to a subscription based charging system.  All Karateka will be charged £15 per week.  This covers you for the two lessons that you need to do as a minimum for your gradings.  The payment must be made by Standing Order.  If you decide to attend the Dojo for a third lesson, it will be free.



We will now have the flexibility to teach the weapons syllabus any day of the week.

Sensei Simon Oliver was awarded his 7th Dan this year and continues to be our Chief Instructor of the JKR-UK and our Kyu grade examiner.  We currently grade with him every 4 months.

We are very grateful for Sensei Olivers' input into our training, especially when he visits our dojo to impart some knowledge.  We are very fortunate to have access to an instructor of his ability.  He always gives me food for thought and pushes everyone to explore further with regards to their Karate .. and in doing so - further in our personal development.

Sensei Yamazaki 9th Dan continues to grace us with his presence at the JKR-UK Hombu for an annual treat as well as facilitating all of our Dan gradings.  25th September is the next time that he will visit the Hombu.  You don't have to be a member of the  JKR-UK to train with him and places are filling up fast for this year, so please book early if you wish to train with him.  You can find booking information by clicking here.

So put your 'gi' on, get your paperwork completed and start training.  I hope to see you at the 

Dojo.

Regards,

Villayat 'Wolf' Sunkmanitu

Instructor & Chairman

Meiyo Karate Club