So stay tuned!!!
my 8 year old daughter Phoebe wanted to come with me.
As kickboxing was a pretty rough and tumble activity, I selected a karate
club that provided good technical skills training, a pleasant environment
to be in and that demonstrated family values.
Both Phoebe and myself developed our karate skills and graded 9th kyu in
February 1991. Phoebe went on and performed in State Titles taking out 2nd
in Mixed Kata in 1991, 2nd in Junior Kata 1992 and 3rd in Junior
Synchronised Kata 1992. My wife Miriam and my other daughter Briohny also
joined the karate club, developing their karate skills, attending self
defence sessions and generally participating in karate club social
activities.
Phoebe and I continued on our journey with karate, undertaking various
gradings and further developing our karate skills. Phoebe has only given up
karate in the last few years to concentrate on her studies - Wine Making,
and her other sporting passion of hockey.
Back in the early days of my karate activities I was also in a position
through my employer at that time to offer Corporate Sponsorship at State
Titles for the acquisition of trophies for example. I thought this
important for the development of Junior Karate.
So you can see its been a family affair! I have gained a lot personally
from my karate - physical fitness, the ability to defend myself, meeting
people and the development of friendships, understanding of a traditional
cultural art/skill offering continuing learning, an ongoing challenge with
benchmarks along the way - a very much all encompassing recreational sport.
More importantly - my family was involved.
I am now a Brown Belt having graded 3rd kyu in July 2002 - Its been a long
journey - but I can almost taste ; a Black Belt. I am currently trying to
achieve Level 1 Karate Coaching Accreditation. I am assisting Sensei Mark
Smith in the coaching of juniors in the development of their karate skills
- like I said - karate is an ever evolving journey.
I have been associated with the Baulkham Hills Zanshin Shotokan Club for a
number of years now and can commend Sensei Mark Smith as your Shotokan
Karate Coach. Sensei Mark has the knowledge and experience along with the
ability to provide a technical understanding of Shotokan Karate skills. The
Club is a great Club and family orientated.
