Events Calendar 2008
Gradings (red) , Courses/Competitions (blue), Social (green)
Click on month for more detailed information.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Lesson
Reminder!
Nov
Lesson
Reminder!
Dec
Lesson
Reminder!
News
News in Detail
DAN GRADING SEPTEMBER 2008
Sensei Michael, Christopher, Gary, David, Sean, Laurence, Sensei Sharkey.
On Wednesday 23rd September 2008 five anxious karate students gathered in the Stansted Mountfichet training hall (Dojo) to test for their black belts before senior examiners; Sensei Michael Ring (4th Dan), SKR Chief Instructor, and Sensei Dave Sharkey (7th Dan), English Karate Organisation Chief Instructor and Chairman of the European Karate Organisation Governing Body.
In a rigorous examination the students were first tested on their basic techniques, Kihon, performing repeated combinations of techniques called out in Japanese at full speed and power. Crossing back and forth across the Dojo repeatedly for over 20 minutes of Kihon is also a test of fitness and stamina as well as technique and power.
In the second stage of the examination the students were called out individually to perform their chosen formal exercise (Kata), and having performed their chosen Kata they were then asked to perform 3 more Kata of the examiners choice. For 1st Dan this was 3 Kata from a list of 11, and for Bishops Stortford Karate-ka Laurence Wilson (12) who was attempting his 2nd Dan this was 3 Kata from a list of 17.
The third stage of the examination focused on sparring drills where the students had to demonstrate their ability to defend and counter attack against full power hand attacks to the head & body, and from front kicks, side kicks, round house kicks and the turning kicks.
The final stage of the examination was a test of Shiai Kumite, free sparring, where each student attempting their black belt must fight 3 opponents, demonstrating both the explosive power of their techniques, but also their ability to attack and defend in a vigorous, yet controlled manner.
After an exhausting examination Bishops Stortford Karate-ka Laurence Wilson (12) was awarded 2nd Dan, fellow Bishops Stortford Karate-ka Christopher Brown (9), Gary Mansfield (26) and David Howes (32) were awarded their 1st Dan black belts. Stansted Mountfitchet Karate-ka Sean Geraghty (14) was awarded his 1st Dan black belt.
Sensei Sharkey commented: “The standard of Karate from the Shotokan Karate Ryu students is always very high and I was not disappointed at this grading. I enjoy visiting the SKR clubs for Dan grading’s to see the excellent standards that Sensei Michael maintains.”
September Grading 2008:
Congratulations to all our students who successfully graded on 14th September 2008.
Sensei Michael would like to thank the following Karate-ka who assisted at the Grading: Sensei’s Paul Wilson & Donna Ring, Sempai’s Andy & Melissa Brown, John Neil Park, Graham Foxall, Laurence Wilson and Sonny Sturgess. Sensei would also like to thank Dawn Sturgess, Michelle Dolan and Trevor Carr for excellent work on the Registration and Information Desks.
SKR Annual Picnic
On
Saturday 12th July 2008 over 50 students and their families
from Bishops Stortford, Elsenham, Henham and Stansted Mountfitchet met in
Hatfield Forest for the annual SKR family picnic. Notably the Green family
cycled from Stansted using bridle paths, while the Mallinson family
traveled from Colchester and Kent to attend.
As
is now a firm tradition a friendly and competitive football match ensued
between the heavily outnumbered adults and the juniors, with some
excellent goal keeping from Alex Mollison (9), an excellent goal form
Harry Bennett (6) and some impressive sliding tackles from Riku (7) and
Kentaro (10) Green.
Despite
a torrential downpour between 1:30 and 2pm, which eventually caused a
pause in the football, the late morning and early afternoon sun helped
make the picnic a resounding success.
Dan Grading 19th September 2007
On Wednesday 19th September 2007 four karate-ka (students) from Bishops Stortford attended an English Karate Organisation (EKO) Black belt Grading chaired be EKO Chief Instructor Sensei Dave Sharkey (7th Dan).
The Grading consisted of three elements; Kihon, 15 sets of combination techniques given in Japanese repeated five times each; Kata, the performance of a formal exercise of the students choice plus the examiners choice of 11 kata's for 1st Dan, 16 Kata's for 2nd Dan and 21 Kata's for 3rd Dan; and Kumite, sparring drills against attacks to the face body and legs and finishing with free sparring.
Paul Wilson (47) and Donna Ring (31) from the Havers based club were attempting 3rd Dan and 2nd Dan respectively. The additional requirements for these grades included extra Kata and terminology examinations. Husband and wife team Andrew (40) and Melissa Brown (34) from the Thorley based Bishops Stortford Karate Club were attempting 1st Dan.
In a gruelling examination that tested the karate-ka both mentally and physically all four students emerged with passes above the standard for their attempted Grade. Paul Wilson was singled out for his improvement since his 2nd Dan three years earlier and Melissa Brown was singled out for her technical standard, which Sensei Sharkey noted was the highest he had seen for someone attempting 1st Dan.
Bishops Stortford club instructor Sensei Michael Ring (4th Dan) commented: "Sensei Sharkey's Gradings are always very tough, but this was the hardest I have seen. The standard was so high Sensei kept pushing to see how good the students were - the atmosphere was electrifying. I was very proud at how well everyone coped with the pressure and was very pleased when the results were announced."
Sensei Paul Wilson, Sensei Donna Ring, Shihon Dave Sharkey, Sempai Melissa Brown, Sempai Andrew Brown
Calendar in Detail
January
Lessons recommence on Sunday 6th January 2008.
February
SKR Kata Course
Sunday 24th February 2008
Thorley Community Centre 5-7pm
Advanced level Kata course for adults and juniors.
For information and entry forms speak to your club Sensei.
NB This course replaces the usual Kata Lesson held at the Mountfitchet Romeera Leisure Centre.
March
Lesson Reminder:
| There is no training on the following date(s) | Lessons Affected | SKR Clubs |
| Sunday 23rd (Easter Sunday) | ALL | ALL |
| Monday 24th | 7.30-8.30pm | Havers, Bishops Stortford |
Grading Date 9th March 2008
Mountfitchet Romeera Leisure Centre
Tiger Tots 11am
Adults & Juniors ALL GRADES 12 noon start.
Requirements for grading:
A valid EKO licence. Permission from your club instructor (Sensei).
Only students that have been training on a regular basis will be allowed to grade.
Grading forms must be returned by 28/2/08.
EKO Championships 2008 (Birmingham)
Saturday 8th March 2008
Kata and Kumite competion for adults and juniors.
Spectators welcome
For information and entry forms speak to your club Sensei.
Sempai Class 10th March
(every 2nd Monday of the month)
Havers Community Centre, 7.30-9pm
Brown Belt and above only.
April
Sempai Class 14th April
(every 2nd Monday of the month)
Havers Community Centre, 7.30-9pm
Brown Belt and above only.
May
Lesson Reminder:
| There is no training on the following date(s) | Lessons Affected | SKR Clubs |
| Sun 4th | All | Bishops Stortford |
| Mon 5th | All | Bishops Stortford/Stansted |
| Sun 25th | All | Bishops Stortford/Stansted |
| Mon 26th | All | Bishops Stortford |
Dinner at Peking Palace, Sawbridgeworth.
Friday 16th May 2008. Please register your interest ASAP.
For more information, contact Donna Ring at donnaring@skr.org.uk
Sempai Class 12th May
(every 2nd Monday of the month)
Havers Community Centre, 7.30-9pm
Brown Belt and above only.
June
Grading Date Sunday 8th June 2008
Mountfitchet Romeera Leisure Centre
Tiger Tots 11am
Adults & Juniors ALL GRADES 12 noon start.
Requirements for grading:
A valid EKO licence. Permission from your club instructor (Sensei).
Only students that have been training on a regular basis will be allowed to grade.
Grading forms must be returned by 29/5/08.
Sempai Class 9th June
(every 2nd Monday of the month)
Havers Community Centre, 7.30-9pm
Brown Belt and above only.
SKR Kumite Course
Sunday 22nd June 2008
Kumite course for adults and juniors.
For information and entry forms speak to your club Sensei.
July
SKR Summer Championships 2007
Saturday 5th July 12noon-3pm
Mountfitchet Romeera Leisure Centre
Kata and Kumite competition for Adults, Juniors and Tiger Tots.
For information and entry forms speak to your club Sensei.
Summer Family Picnic - Saturday 12th July 2008
Come and enjoy a fun-packed family social event in Hatfield Forest. Club members and their family and friends are more than welcome. The event will be held in Hatfield Forest on Saturday 12th July, from 11am onwards.
Bring your own food and drink, outdoor games provided - including a Treasure Hunt for the more adventurous!
We meet in the second car park (signposted "Elgins" car park - left after the third cattle grid)
(Please note there is a £4.20 entrance fee to Hatfield Forest)
For more information, contact Donna Ring at donnaring@skr.org.uk
Sempai Class 14th July
(every 2nd Monday of the month)
Havers Community Centre, 7.30-9pm
Brown Belt and above only.
August
Lesson Reminder:
| There is no training on the following date(s) | Lessons Affected | SKR Clubs |
| Please click here for lesson cancellations in August | ||
Sempai Class 11th August
(every 2nd Monday of the month)
Havers Community Centre, 7.30-9pm
Brown Belt and above only.
September
Sempai Class 8th September
(every 2nd Monday of the month)
Havers Community Centre, 7.30-9pm
Brown Belt and above only.
Grading Date Sunday 14th September 2008
Mountfitchet Romeera Leisure Centre
Adults & Juniors ALL GRADES 12 noon start.
Requirements for grading:
A valid EKO licence. Permission from your club instructor (Sensei).
Only students that have been training on a regular basis will be allowed to grade.
Grading forms must be returned by 4/9/08.
SKR Kata Course
Sunday 28th September 2008
Thorley Community Centre 5-7pm
Advanced level Kata course for adults and juniors.
For information and entry forms speak to your club Sensei.
NB This course replaces the usual Kata Lesson held at the Mountfitchet Romeera Leisure Centre.
October
Sempai Class 13th October
(every 2nd Monday of the month)
Havers Community Centre, 7.30-9pm
Brown Belt and above only.
Halloween Party Saturday 25th October 2008
4-6pm
St John's Church Hall, Stansted
SKR
is celebrating Halloween this year with a club party.
Fancy
dress – prizes for the best outfits!
Witches
brew and Monster Snacks will be available. Music and party games not for
the faint hearted.
Club
members and family are welcome. Tickets are £6.00 each and are available
from Donna Ring.
November
Kumite Course 9th November
Mountfitchet Romeera Leisure Centre, 5.15-6.45pm
An excellent opportunity to learn and practice advanced level Kumite techniques.
Open to Adult 6th Kyu (green belt) and Junior 5th Kyu (purple belt) and above.
Limited Places.
Sempai Class 10th November
(every 2nd Monday of the month)
Havers Community Centre, 7.30-9pm
Brown Belt and above only.
No Lessons:
Wednesday 5th November
Sunday 9th November St John's Church Hall 11.15-12.15 (Thorley Class as normal)
December
Lesson Reminder:
| There is no training on the following date(s) | Lessons Affected | SKR Clubs |
|
Sunday 7th December (Grading Date) |
All | All |
|
Sunday 14th December (SKR Christmas Party and Awards Ceremony) |
Kata Lesson (6-7pm) | Stansted MRLC |
|
Last Lessons of 2008 are on Thursday 18th December 2008 Lessons commence again in the New Year on Sunday 4th January 2009 |
||
Grading Date Sunday 7th December 2008
Mountfitchet Romeera Leisure Centre
Tiger Tots 11am
Adults & Juniors ALL GRADES 12 noon start.
Requirements for grading:
A valid EKO licence. Permission from your club instructor (Sensei).
Only students that have been training on a regular basis will be allowed to grade.
Grading forms must be returned by 27/11/08
Sempai Class 8th December
(every 2nd Monday of the month)
Havers Community Centre, 7.30-9pm
Brown Belt and above only.
SKR Family Christmas Party & Awards Ceremony
Sunday 14th December 2008, 4pm - 8pm
Thorley Community Centre
Disco, buffet and bar
Tickets £7 Junior / £9 Adult (under 5's free)
Events at a glance
| Gradings | ||||
|
Date |
Deadline for Grading Forms | |||
| March | Sunday 9th March | 28/2/08 | ||
| June | Sunday 8th June | 29/5/08 | ||
| September | Sunday 14th September |
4/09/08 |
||
| December | Sunday 7th December | 27/11/08 | ||
| Courses / Competitions | ||||
| Event | Date | Time | For | Deadline for application forms |
| SKR Kata Course | Sun 24th Feb | 5-7pm |
Adults & Juniors |
17th Feb 08 |
| EKO Championships 2007 (Birmingham) | Sat 8th Mar | All Day |
Adults & Juniors |
16th Feb 08 |
| SKR Kumite Course | Sun 22nd Jun | 5-7pm |
Adults & Juniors |
Sunday 15th June |
| SKR Summer Championships 2007 | Sat 5th Jul |
12-3pm |
All |
Sunday 22nd Jun |
| SKR Kata Course | Sun 28th Sep |
Adults & Juniors |
Sunday 21st Sept | |
| Sempai Class | Every 2nd Monday of the month | 7.30-9pm | Brown belt (3rd Kyu) and above | - |
| Social | ||||
| Event | Date | Time | For | Deadline for tickets |
| Peking Palace | Friday 16th May | 7.45 for 8pm | Adults | £10 Deposit ASAP |
| Summer Family Picnic | Saturday 12th July | from 11am | All | N/A |
| Halloween Party | Saturday 25th October | Juniors | ||
| SKR Family Christmas Party | Sunday 14th December | 4-8pm | All | 30/11/08 |