To encourage the junior members a monthly medal award will be presented
to an individual that has notably preformed well during the period. This
will be based on their discipline, effort, technique development,
competition and grading success.
Possible New Training Times
I have applied to the Leisure centre to increase the hall hire times so
that the lessons can be split into two sessions potentially from 1st
April. The proposed format will be:
6.30 to 7.15pm Juniors - This would predominantly cater for children
of approximately 12 years of age and under. Other grades (accompanying
adults, or those just wanting to train etc) would still be welcome to
join in.
From 7pm a proportion of the Dojo will be allocated to those attending
the Adult session only to use in order to warm up for their lesson.
7.20 to 8.30pm Teenagers & adults -This session would follow on
from the Junior lesson with less focus on a formal warm up.
I would appreciate your views on these proposed changes and any logistic
issues. I anticipate the Leisure centre agreeing to change the Sunday
evening but due to hall availability it may be more problematic on
Thursdays.
Costs
Here is a breakdown of training costs.
Student fees: £5 per lesson or £35 per month.
Family rate (2 or more): £10 per lesson or £60 per month
Assistant Instructor fees: £4 per lesson or £25 per month
An annual karate license is required for insurance. Approx £17
A gi (the white suit we wear while training) costs from about £10
Gradings are held 2-3 times per year and cost approx £12 (along with a fee for the special course, costs depend on who teaches)
New Badges
Sponsorship from the United Kindom Atomic Energy Authority has enabled Wantage
Shotokan Karate Club to design and buy cloth embroidered badges featuring the
Club's motif. Permission was granted by The Vale of the White Horse Council
for an emblem of King Alfred to be used in the design. King Alfred was born
in Wantage in 849 AD at a time when the area was a thriving Saxon centre. The
badge depicts the statue that stands in the town centre that commemorates his
life and work.
The design also includes an accompanying Japanese kanji inscription 'Hado Ryu'.
This refers to Wantage and means 'the place of the undulating stream'. Interestingly,
as the reader may know Ryu also has the meaning of school or style, and is often
associated with the martial arts. In the accompanying picture Sensei Paul Edwards
is pictured receiving a cheque at a recent training session.
