12th Newsletter
Hi everyone
2008 is nearly over and what a great year we have had. I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching you this year and hope 2009 will be the same.
Some of the highlights were:
The NAS Tournament team did really well this year with everyone winning a trophy and some even a state tittle. The launch of inhouse kata games, the September Serpent awards (Alex P, Briony H, Dan P, Braden W, Declan O, Thomas H, Simon H, Jasmine P, Trent O, Hudson P, Mitchel W, Alysha N) and the Chloe Kicking Championship ( well done Cass). The gradings in April, August and December were a great success with all club members acheiving their next belt. Well done to Dan, Sam, Gilly, Cass, Simon and Ben for winning the Toushido Award, (highest karate spirit at a grading), this year. Beach training at Seacliff was a lot of fun especially because it was 40 degrees. There was also the training days hosted by the IBF, JKA and Kihon Aikido. The experience and techniques we learn on these days is very useful. I hope Craigburn Primary School enjoyed our all day training session we hosted, thanks Cass, Chloe, Andy, Bernie and Sandy for their help (hope lunch was ok). Finally, the wet Toushido camp in the forest, I've booked a dry day next time.
Some of the students are now at the end of their training, with a black belt not to far away. However, to progress is not just about the amount of lessons you have trained since the last grading. There is also attitude, enthusiasm, consistency, skill, dedication, focus, strength and sharpness of techniques to consider. In 2009 I will be focussing on these aspects, so if you wish to grade ensure your kata, stances, techniques and strength are of a high standard. Remember, karate is a personal journey of acheivement with highs and lows, a grading should be one of the highs. Try your hardest and a little bit more.
2009 should be packed with some great events. These include:
2 beach training (weather permitting), NAS events (2 qualifying rounds, 1 state tittles, 1 national tittles (Melb), 1 world tittles), 2 kata games (including knife sparring event), 3 gradings, IBF training days, Toushido camp, training day with Kym Reids club, September's Spirit of the Serpent and finally my Yondan grading.
Please note that membership is due when you start training in the new year 12/1/2009.
Thanks go out to all members of Toushido Karate. Without the dedication and commitment of the students both senior and junior this club would not be as strong and friendly as it is. Thank you very much. Special thanks go out to Shihan Kym Reid for the help and advise throughout the year, major sponsors National Foods, tournament team, grading and class assistance and finally the senior brown belts.
I wish you all the best in the new year and have a safe and happy Xmas.
Grading News.
The December grading was excellent and a little warmer than the August one. Well done to all that passed their next level. There was a few sore bodies the next day, but it was all worth it I hope. It's good to see the brown belts made it to 1st Kyu, 1 grading to go boys. The day started a bit slow but once the karate spirit started to flow the pace picked up. Well done to C.Parry and B.Sharman for the Toushido Award, B.Hunt for the most improved, C.Parry received silver high acheivement and the bronze high acheivement went to B.Fry and S.Hurley. Well done to all. Thanks to Bernie, Sandy and Steve. The next grading is 5/4/2009.
Kata Games III.
These games are a great experience for some and a learning curve for others. There are three divisions, under 10's, under 18's, and the seniors. There will be an extra event this year, knife sparring (rubber ones) They are a lot of fun and hope to see most of you there in 2009. .
NAS State Titles
Well done to all that competed. Kevin Parry won his kata event and 2nd in sparring. Jack Murphy received a 3rd in sparring with some great head level kicks. Chloe Nunn was awesome, coming away with 3 trophies, 1 silver and 2 bronze.
Toushido Camp
To be advised. I am thinking May.
The next grading is on 5th April and will be at Seaview High School. If you would like to attend this grading try doing all your katas with your eyes closed, it's a good indication if you are ready. I have a pretty good idea who will be grading. Remember progression comes with consistent training
*Over 35 degree training uniform. If the forecast in the morning over 35 and you want to train, you can wear a plain white T-shirt instead of your Gi top.
The 2009 NAS tournaments dates are round 1. TBA, round 2. TBA, state titles TBA and the national titles are in Melbourne TBA.
*2008 NAS RESULTS
B Woodroffe--1 Bronze
C Parry--1 Bronze
K Parry--1 Gold 2 Silver
J Murphy--2 Silver 3 Bronze
C Nunn--2 Gold 3 Silver 3 Bronze
T O'Driscoll--2 Silver 1 Bronze
D Paterson-- 3 Silver
*Events coming up
12/1/2009 First training for 2009
18/1/2009 Beach training at Seacliff
15/2/2009 Beach training at Seacliff
15/3/2009 Kata Games
5/4/2009 and 2/8/2009 Grading
*Student of the month---Nick W and Andy H---It's been a tough year but still your commitment is awesome. Sorry for your loss
*Quote of the month---AWESOMATED
*Food for thought
Mitch...Your enthusimated use of randomated and awesomated needs to be terminated or you might get urakanated!!
*Monthly Proverb
The mantis seizes the locust but does not see the yellow bird behind him.