Has your licence expired?There will be 2 pre-grading courses. The first course will start at 10.00am and will be for Senior grades. Grading for these karateka will follow. Novice and Junior grades should arrive no later than 1.00pm ready for their course. Following that, the grading for those students will take place. The course will be FREE for all those who grade. A nominal charge will be made to other karateka who wish to participate in the course only. Please contact Sensei for details.
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International Course
Representation from TSKC members at this course was very disappointing. This was probably one of the best attended courses JKAE have held. I would estimate around 600+ karateka attended the course on the Saturday. 104 of them came from Norway. This was probably our worst event for representation. I would like to thank the following for attending at some stage over the course of the 4 days:
Jason Fox
Lester Wellington
Nigel Couch
Shannon Couch
John Delahunty
Dave Clarke
Our guest instructors were Osaka Sensei 8th Dan; Tsuyama Sensei 8th Dan; Hirayama Sensei 6th Dan and Ohta Sensei 7th Dan. In addition to the training on the course, there was the opportunity to take a kyu grading if you were eligible, watch a friendly international competition between competitors from the different countries attending the course, DAN gradings up to 5th Dan and qualification tests for International licences.
Amongst those countries represented were, Norway, Turkey, Poland, Scotland, Ireland, Malta, France and Germany. I will add more when I recall them.
NB: The last week in May and the first week in June are extremely busy for the TSKC Instructors. One will be away on Honeymoon and the other two will be away camping in the latter week. The second week also comprises of two Bank Holidays and is the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Please look at the CANCELLED / NO TRAINING page on the website for full details.
All TSKC Members who have not renewed their membership to the club for 2012-2013 by close of play today, will no longer be regarded as club members and as such will be subject to pay non-club lesson fees. In essence, this means that lesson fees per class will more or less double. If you pay your outstanding membership prior to training, then lesson fees will revert to club membership levels. If you are paying for lessons via Standing Order, you will be informed when you need to start paying for lessons as a non member.
Oss!
Well done to Graham on passing his Level 3 Referee. I know this was a bit of a bone of contention for Graham but commitment and dedication shone through in the end. You can now sit back and start thinking about upcoming competitions!
If you are not aware, Sensei Bryan is getting married next month - CONGRATULATIONS! Being such a sensible person, Bryan's "Stag do" took place a whole month and more before the big day. With just a few friends, Bryan's evening started off in a top class 3* Michelin restaurant followed by 3 hours at a book club where healthy discussions took place over Mary Higgins Clark's latest book - The Lost Years.
Well, it didn't exactly go like that!
To soak up the copious amounts of alcohol Bryan was to consume later that evening, we went to Frankie & Benny's for dinner. Bryan was treated to a little sing song and "The Dog" even got to cuddle him. We moved on to a local pub - The Harrow - for a quick one or two, which saw one of our group members, knock over two shots due to bad eye / hand co-ordination through the consumption of too much drink, which is what was supposed to happen to Bryan. Finally, we strolled down to the White Hart formerly known as Chicago's I believe. Well, that was an eye opener. Fortunately, I didn't see anyone I knew.
All in all, a good night was had by all and Bryan was looked after admirably by his fellow instructors Lester and Graham. Good luck for the big day.
TSKC ESP GradingStarting at 10am with a general lesson where all your basics and kata will be revised, so it is recommended that you attend the lesson. After the lesson will be the grading. Only White belts need attend this grading. Please bring your licence book with you. Cost of the grading £15 payable on the day.
TSKC Caching Event
Decisions, decisions! Leighton Buzzard or Stowe? We met in the car park of the Bierton dojo at approximately 0900hrs and decided that due to the fact that it had been raining during the night and early hours of the morning, coupled with the fact that rain was also imminent, we would opt to do the 16 cache series as opposed to the 34 cache series which was in Stowe. Leighton Buzzard, here we come.
We arrived at our pre-determined start point near the Sandpit Quarry. There were a few concerns about leaving the cars here but it was a Sunday and Easter Sunday at that so no one would be here. Wrong! There was someone working in the quarry but we still thought it would be okay. All kitted up and dogs sorted, off we went. Things were pretty normal until just over half way round, when making our way to our next cache find, I asked the others why was there a man standing in the middle of the road making a phone call? 
As we got nearer, Phil went over and said 'hello' shook his hand and carried on. Who would have thought we'd meet Frank Bruno on a morning's caching event? He told us that he was off for his first golf lesson in a short while but that didn't stop him practicing in the middle of the road!
Marcus was the only one to slip over today, so well done! I think Molly may have found the most caches today - Oss! The dogs got on really well together so a good time was had by all. 5 minutes after leaving it began to rain. Well timed.
ESP GradingThe regular class will start at 10am which will incorporate the syllabus for the ESP grading that will follow the lesson. The cost for the grading is £15 and includes the grading fee, the cost of the grading and your belt if you are successful
This grading is a good introduction to our more formal gradings, the next being conducted in June 2012.. This grading is open to White belts only who should be able to perform their basics and Kihon kata. please remember to bring your licence and grading fee with you on the day of the grading.
The day started with confusion for me. The phone said 8.45am and the alarm clock said 7.47am. This was the weekend the clocks went forward and I had no idea. Fortunately, those from TSKC that were going to the course were on top of their game and we were all en route at the pre-arranged time. Arriving at the venue in plenty of time, Aaron found enough time to have breakfast before the course started. The course ran for 5 hours and certainly opened my eyes to other methods and applications that can be used in the Heian katas and Kanku Dai. A report from Aaron will follow soon. More pics: Click pic above.
We have heard that Nigel Couch was successful in passing his Level 2 Instructor and Level 2 Referee Qualification licences. A big well done from all at TSKC.
2012TSKC: 23rd September. Become a Club Champion
JKAE: 7th July. Become a National Champion
TSKC Championships:
As members of TSKC, you have ALL been entered into the TSKC Championships 2012 to take place on Sunday, 23rd September 2012 at Bierton in order to make this event viable. The event is being held for fun and experience and the majority of our Senior Black belts will be officiating at the event.
Entry Fee is just £10.00
Only members of our club will be participating from all dojos whether Regular or school. There will be two sections: Kata and Kumite. The full details are yet to be confirmed and will depend on the numbers of karateka but we are hoping to include Team Kata and Mirror Image Kata alongside the traditional Individual Kata, Gohun Kumite, Ippon Kumite Jiyuu / Jiyuu Ippon Kumite.
Can you please pay for this event asap. Return the slip sent out to you via email or download a slip from here. This will enable us to enter you into the correct categories.
If you do not wish to take part, please say so on the form AND give a reason why. If the reason is not good enough, there will be no refund!
The competition should start at 9am and finish around 6pm. Please make the effort to participate, it will be so much fun. If you can do your grading then you can do this competition - it's easier! There is nothing to worry about. If you have any questions, ask. We can dispel any of your fears.
Participants
Click here to see if you have confirmed that you taking part. Those entries in GREEN have paid.
JKAE Nationals:
This event will take place on Saturday 7th July 2012 at the Montem Centre in Slough. Like last year, the KYU Grade Championships will take place on the same day as the Black & Brown Belt Championships. Unlike our club competition, you have not been entered into this event. If you would like to participate - and you are encouraged to do so - please let me know as soon as possible. Again, you will only have to perform what you did in your last grading.
Today was the first KYU Grading of 2012 for the club and we were expecting over 100 students to grade. Sensei Ohta 7th DAN JKA, the Chief Instructor of JKA England, was our Course Instructor and Grading Examiner. It is such a privilege to have him attend our dojo. As is our usual custom, the grading day was split into two sections, each containing a lesson for the students followed by a grading for those eligible karateka. The first lesson started at 10am and was for all students of Purple belts and upwards. Sensei OHTA was on fine form and worked extensively on correct hip position and rotation when punching, blocking and kicking. Locking and kime were also highlighted as problem areas which Sensei tried to correct. Sensei ensured that all the students were aware of what they had to do in their katas and took them through the forms with count.
Ellie Sales passed her DAN grading on 25th September 2011 at the K2 Arena and at the end of the lesson, Sensei Ohta presented her with her Shodan certificate. The opportunity to present two students with a Trimester Award was taken too. The other presentations were awrded at the conclusion of the second lesson. A list of award winners is shown at the end of this report.
Sensei Ohta's next lesson had at least three times the amount of students than the first lesson. All Green belts and below, crammed into the dojo where Sensei went through all the techniques and kata's the students needed to know to pass their grading. The lessons having gone extremely well, the grading followed consecutively from each lesson.
The grading was over by 4.30pm and was highly successful, the students receing their next belt. A lot of hard work needs to be put in and regular training before the next grading on 24th June 2012.
Trimester Awards
| Name | Dojo | Name | Dojo |
| Patricia PERRY | Winslow | Danielle RICHARDS | Grange |
| Nicole TODD | Bourton Meadow | Vincent JVR | John Colet |
| Hannah HENS | RLS | Louis FILLER | DPMS |
| Overall Winner: | |||
The Bicester dojo was host to this ad hoc Special TSKC Course where Mark McConnell took the karateka through practical applications for the kata Hiean Nidan. Mark took up the opportunity to conduct the course after being asked by Ardley ex-Chief Instructor Leon Brown. 
Thirteen karateka attended this course and thoroughly enjoyed every moment. Despite the very short notice about the course, 3 TSKC members from Bourton Meadow and Winslow dojo's made the effort to attend. These courses are invaluable to gain insight into the kata and are thoroughly recommended for all karateka.
More pics in the Gallery
Not been at this venue for quite a few years now and I can remember why I am not keen on coming here - car parking! On top of that, the eating facilities are not that good especially when the machine breaks down. I was up early this morning (I had forgotten there were TWO 6 o'clocks in a day) and ready to depart for the trip to Bath. Finding the venue was easy, no traffic and an empty car park at the Cricket ground.
As a member of the Committee, I once again offered my services and became the "Licence man" for the event. Around 200 karateka turned up for this course but there had been a misunderstanding in the booking of the hall. We asked for half the hall and got half of half the hall. Fortunately we did manage to find some other room to accommodate the Brown belts training.
All in all, a good course leading up to the DAN grading in the aternoon. 35 taking Shodan and 8 taking Nidan. Our members performed well but Sensei Ohta was pretty tough and I am glad of that. Jessica Edwards and Hogan Leung were successful in gaining their Shodan today and Matthew Heaney needs to do Kata only next time. Well done to all of you. See you at the course at Honbu on Sundat 26th!
More pics in the Gallery
The day came and having said that "if it was raining or heavy snow, I wasn't going" - we had neither. It was just looked cold! Dressed accordingly and made my way to Ground Zero, the Chaloners Library which co-incidentally is one of the venues of another club I know of. upon arrival, Michaela was already there and Graham and his car load of Robert, Nikki and Piper were in front of me and Chas and the Mallard crew pulled up behind.
We prepared ourselves for the walk - 4 hours I think I said - and we set off to find 40 available caches. There were some very interesting cache finds indeed but only to expect that from the cache setter. I have serious doubts about the 7 miles it was alleged to be as well. However long it was, it was a great day out. The weather held off until the very end when there was the hint of rain. Throughout the day it was warm. Couldn't have asked for better. Having found 39 caches in the series out of 40, we sat down, worked out the final co-ordinates for the Bonus cache which was only .1 mile way and a quick find by Lucy rounded the day off. Thanks to all who came.
More pics in the Gallery
As of the 1st May 2012, JKA England Examiners will be working to a new grading syllabus. TSKC Instructors will be implementing this after the grading on the 26th February for KYU grades and 19th February for those taking DAN gradings.
The changes may be small ones so there should be nothing to worry about.
Regarding karateka re-taking a DAN grading, JKAE have now said that students may attend the next grading even if less than the 3 month stated period, however, a significant improvement must be evident otherwise expect a fail! Be assured, I will not allow students to attend unless they fit this new criteria. This decision will remove the need to wait 5-6 months IF the student really wants their DAN grade
Black and Brown Belt Course with Regional squad training and pre Dan Grading training -
hosted by the Central Region, took place at a new venue for JKAE. The Kelsey Kerridge Sports Centre
is not difficult to find, nor is it difficult to get to but the traffic in the centre of Cambridge is a nightmare.
Situated two floors up, above the Parkside Pools, our event took place in the main Hall.
Day two of the JKAE National Courses saw around 60 attendees in Cambridge
with Sensei Ohta leading the course. Divided into three main sections, karateka were taken
through some difficult combinations in the opening section. This was physically demanding on the karateka
despite there was still kumite to come. Squad coach, Gary Stewart, Assistant squad coach, Jodie Pidcock,
and Sensei Tom Peebles were on hand to assist Sensei Ohta in the course.
After a short break, the students were asked to pick which group they would like to be in for some
in depth kata training. The choices being: Jion; Empi; Kanku Dai in preparation of the upcoming DAN Grading in
February. Squad members were then partnered up with other karateka and all were put under pressure
to perform. Individually there were some really fantastic moments!
Finally, the group were divided into Competition categories so that referees and Judges could gain
valuable experience in all aspects of kumite and kata. To finish off, Sensei Ohta went through all of the Heian
Kata and Tekki Shodan.
The last day of training also included an ESP grading at Honbu. This is a club grading where White belts who either joined after our last grading or joined before and were not eligible or ready to attend the grading in October, can attend a club grading and gain valuable experience of performing in test conditions. The good thing is, the Examiner is somebody they know so they will feel at ease and prepare themselves for the next stage, when an external examiner attends and performs the grading. However, in my opinion, put in their shoes, I would rather have an unknown examiner at the outset than have to perform my first grading in front of Sensei Wellington!
Seventeen (17) White belts participated in the club pre-grading course and grading which followed, of which three students performed exceptionally well receiving a GOLD Level pass whilst the others confidently passed their grading with either SILVER or BRONZE Level passes.
Congratulations to all of you. Next grading is scheduled for Sunday 26th February 2012.
Oss!
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I just cannot believe tonight. Had such a great time with some fantastic friends and students at the TSKC Xmas Curry. I think I can speak for all that attended when I say that the food was out of this world! And so much of it too, even for me. The evening didn't start too well with weather warnings of hurricane winds reaching up to 100mph expected across the country. Well it had started raining by the time we arrived at the restaurant and it hadn't stopped by the time I got home either!
I would like to thank everyone who came to the event and made the night a great success. I hope you all enjoyed yourselves as much as I did.
Merry Christmas!
Oss!
Click the pic for more
As of 1st January 2010, the new grading fees for DAN grades comes into effect together with changes associated with the grading.
SPECIAL INTERNATIONAL COURSE:
SHO-DAN Full £30
Second attempt* £25
NI-DAN Full £35
Second attempt* £30
SAN-DAN Full £45
Second attempt* £40
YON-DAN Full £60
Second attempt* £55
GO-DAN Full £60
Second attempt* £55
Black/Brown Belt NATIONAL COURSE:
SHO-DAN Full £40
Second attempt* £30
NI-DAN Full £45
Second attempt* £35
SAN-DAN Full £55
Second attempt* £45
* For those who take a Dan grading and achieve only a partial pass with permission to take either Kata or Kumite only next time, the new regulation requires that this condition of taking just kata or kumite will apply once only. Therefore if you do not succeed at the following grading, you will have to take the full grading again on the next occasion.
There are also DAN registration fees to be paid on the day should you be successful in passing your grading. These are in the region of £60.
Lester Wellington
Oss!
