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Black & Brown Belt Course

Portchester Hants

Sunday 5th October Portchester, Hampshire

Immediately following the SEKU AGM a Black & Brown Belt Course and Dan Grading was held.  The venue for this event was the Portchester Dojo and was very well attended  The first class was split into two sections with the Black Belt class led by Sensie Mick Dewey and the Brown Belts by Sensei Mervyn O'Donnell. 

Both Classes were given over to various stages of kumite.  Brown belts were taken through the aspects of Jiyu Ippon-Sho in an intense study.  Jiyu Ippon-Sho is used in grading examinations from 2nd Kyu through to 1st Dan and students training in this class should by now be well versed with the procedures.

In the Black Belt class meanwhile, class members were driven on by Mick Dewey, ably demonstrated by Stacey Crowe and Dave Galloway on all stages of Kumite from Jiyu Ippon-Ni, Kaeshi Ippon and Randori Kumite.  A taster of SEKU Team Squad training tactics was also given by Steve Hollister the SEKU Team Squad Kumite Coach.

Both classes were well constructed and given over to all aspects of kumite, a culmination of course contents that have been persued  throughout the year in Black & Brown Belt Courses and SEKU Instructor Classes.  If you weren't there then you and your memebers are truly missing out.

During the class memers were introduced to the new structure of the SEKU Team Squad coaches by Sensei Dewey. They are Steve Hollister - Kumite Coach, Stacey Crowe - Kata Coach, Paul Uren and Keith Williams Assistant Coaches.  These coaches are overseen by Terry Oliver who will be acting as Team Manager.

Terry thanked Keith and Paul for their great efforts in the past, giving an overview of the teams acheivements so far under the guidance of them.  He pointed out that the new structure was needed to guarantee the future of up and comming students who wish to get involved in tournament Karate and view of exciting things to come. 

Terry, Steve Hollister and Stacey Crowe travel to France on Thursday for the Shotokan Karate-Do of United Nations European Championships (SKDUN) due to be held next week end.  They will act as referees at the championships and report back their findings with the idea of entering a SEKU Team next year.

At the end of the first session both classes were drawn together into the main Dojo where, Sensei Dewey and O'Donnell presented some members with SEKU Instructors Qualifiction Certificates, this was the first batch of such presentations and more will follow.  Incidentley, these qualifications are not given lightly and if you are an instructor and want to qualify for certification, you need to regularly attend Instructor classes and B&B Courses.

It was a busy day and whilst Senseis Dewey, O'Donnell and Smith got on with the job of conducting the many Dan Grade examinees, the second class got under way.  This class gave members an introduction to the new SEKU Kata Coach Stacey Crowe.  Theme for the class was Gojushiho-Dai - Straight in at the deep end for some.  The class was well constructed, informative and well received by all.

Successful Dan Grade Candidates were:

If you are interested in getting involved in Team Squad activities - Terry Oliver can be contacted on:

• 02392 362278 (H)
• 07825 807671 (M)
• terry.oliver@stephenson-scc.co.uk

Black & Brown Belt Course

Plymouth, Devon

Sunday 8th June 2008 Woolwell, Plymouth, Devon. 

Given the sweltering heat it was pleasing for the course instructors to see so many members turn out for this course.  The venue was very good but is also very well hidden, so there was a second reason to be pleased with the good attendance.

SEKU Chief Instructor Mick Dewey introduced the class to Stuart Hick, Chief Instructor to the  Plympton Shotokan Karate Club and several of his members who have recently affilliated to SEKU.

Also in attendance was ex- Portsmouth Karate Club member Mick Farndell who who has been living and training in Pheonix, Arisona, USA for the last five years. Whilst in America, Mick trains with Shojiro Koyama 7th Dan (JKA) and is a member of his association, he has been doing very well winning several awards at their recent national championships. 

Mick is in the UK for a short holiday break and was speaking to his old friends from the Pompey Club after training. Mick was quoted as saying that "having been away for so long, training again at the Portsmouth Club and at Sundays course I was reminded of the high standard of karate always displayed by SEKU members".  Incidentally, Mick's brother Chris is back training at Portsmouth and is enjoying his training once again.

Feedback from the course has been very positive so far and we would welcome the comments of members who were in attendance.

Successful Dan Grade Examinees on the day were:

• Ros Eglinton - Ni-Dan - Plymouth Karate-Do

• Scott Clements - Jnr. Ni-Dan - Plymouth Karate-Do

• Mick Bennetta - Sho-Dan - Portchester KC          

• Trematon McLuckie - Sho-Dan - Lyskerrys KC

• Rebecca Everest-Jury - Helston KC - Sho-Dan

• James Ronson - Jnr. Sho-Dan - Plymouth Karate-Do

Congratulations to those named above and we hope to se you at future SEKU events. 

Remember - Karate training is for life!

Black & Brown belt Course

Newport, IOW

The first event of the New Year took place at the Medina Centre Newport on the Isle of Wight Sunday 3rd February 2008.   The course content was as usual very good and intuitive with Mervyn O'Donnell taking course members through Kata Bassai Sho.  The second class was devoted to Shobu Ippon-Sho and Shobu Ippon-Ni.

For the first event of the year the course was surprisingly not well attended with prominent members very noticeable by their absence, but this was put down to bad weather and the cancellation of the Hovercraft into Ryde.

Successful Dan Grade Examinees on the day were:

• Julie Brightman - Ni-Dan - Crofton School of Shotokan Karate

• Susan Ewart - Sho-Dan - Newport Fitness Factory KC

• Jordan Prior - Sho-Dan - Newport Fitness Factory KC

• Serena Newton - Sho-Dan - Newport Fitness Factory KC

• Jack Callaghan - Junior Sho-Dan - Bromley Shotokan KC

Congratulations to those above who were successful and to those who weren't - make sure you correct those minor shortcomings, come back next time with vengeance and prove the examiners wrong!

Next Black & Brown Belt Course: Sunday 6th June - Plymouth, Devon. 

Black & brown Belt Class in Portchester

A well attended Black & Brown Belt class took place Sunday 16th September 2007 following the AGM.  The classes were split into two groups one of Black Belts led by Sensei Brian Smith and the Brown Belt group by Sensei Mervyn O'Donnell, each group practicing a relevant Kata for their particular level.  For the second class everyone pitched into one class led by Sensei Mick Dewey for a lesson of revision in Kihon Ippon Kumite.  Sensei Mick's reasoning was that Kihon is our foundation and it does not hurt to return to it as often as possible.  The lesson was well received as were the two previous Kata classes. The classes were followed by the usual Black Belt examination which was unusually small.

Successful candidates for Dan Grading:

• Sam Choudhury               Sho-Dan             Portchester KC

• Dominic McInerney          Sho-Dan             Avon KC

• Kate Hitching                   Sho-Dan             Andover KC

• Ben Maher                       Ni-Dan               Newport Fitness Factory - IOW

• Ken Wheeler                     Ni-Dan               Andover KC

BLACK & BROWN BELT COURSE PLYMOUTH - 10 JUNE 2007

A successful course held at the Marjon College Plymouth on a very hot and humid day.  Subjects covered were revision of the Heian Kata and Jiyu Ippon Kumite and was well received by all those in attendance.

Successful Black Belt Examinees on the day were as follows:

• Francesca Hardy-Phillips           Junior Shodan              Frome Torii Karate Club

• Coirle Macnulty                        Junior Shodan               Plymouth Karate-Do

• Stuart Tostdevine                        Junior Shodan               Helston Karate Club

• Andrew Martin                              Shodan                    Crookhorn Karate Club

• David Ronson                                Shodan                    Plymouth Karate-Do

• Matthew Eglinton                           Shodan                    Plymouth Karate-Do

• Clive Thornton                                Shodan                    Lovedean Karate Club

The standard was very high and a very rare pass rate of 100% was achieved - congratulations to all

Black & Brown Belt Course in Portishead, Avon

Novembers Black & Brown Belt Course was staged in Portishead Avon Sunday 26th November 2006.  Not so well attended this time but never the less the class content was constructive and enjoyable for the members in attendance.   The class, was conducted by Sensei's Mick Dewey and Brian Smith,  and students were put through their paces with revision in Kihon Kumite followed by the same techniques put together in freeflow mode.  Kata 'Jion' was covered and some bunkia was applied by the innovative Brian Smith. Sensei Mervyn O'Donnell had other Karate business to take care of and was unable to attend.

It was a good course although a fairly small amount of members entered the Dan Grading examination, those who succeeded are listed below.

Black & Brown Belt Course at Portchester

A well attended course took place at Portchester Community School immediately following the Annual General Meeting.  The course was well attended and it contained good content, with Sensei's Mervyn O'Donnell and Brian Smith led the training ably assisted by Fitness Factory Instructor Mark Elliott who dealt with the Brown Belt class. Sensei Mick Dewey oversaw the training and was also wearing a Gi for the first time since 5th March when he underwent major surgery to his leg

The class began with a traditional warm up led Mark Elliott but before training began in earnest, some important announcements were made by Sensei Mick Dewey.

The first announcement was that, as of that day, Sensei Mervyn O'Donnell would be promoted to 7th Dan, the promotion was well received by the seventy black and brown belts in attendance and deservedly so.  Other announcements were made, they were for promotion to 5th Dan for Crofton KC, Sensei Alan Lewis - Bromley KC, Paul Moreby - and Lovedean KC member Terry Oliver. These promotions were all very fitting as next year will be the 25th anniversary of  SEKU and each of these members have run clubs during that time and beyond.  Congratulations to all concerned!

Black Belt Gradings were held at the end of the day with twenty eight members attempting Dan Grade Examinations of which eighteen were successful.   A list of successes are given below.

Congratulations to the Following Successful Dan Grade Examinees

Black & Brown Belt Course Plymouth

Mick Dewey joined Sensei Mervyn O'Donnell the following day (Sunday 4th June) at the Dojo of Paul Uren, Plymouth Karate-Do for the West Country Black & Brown Belt Course and Dan Grading.  Again Sensei Dewey sat out the proceedings but oversaw the instruction which was conducted by Sensei O'Donnell who was ably assisted by Stacey Crowe. 

Keith Williams had eaten a 'dodgy curry' the night before and was left bedridden back at base.  It was therefore left to Paul Uren and Steve Hollister to conduct the Squad Training sessions.

Well done to the following members who were all successful in their respective Dan Grading Examinations, this included Paul Urens new wife Laura:     

BLACK/BROWN BELT COURSE & DAN GRADING on the ISLE of WIGHT

A well attended Black and Brown Belt Course took place at Medina High School, Newport IOW on Sunday 26th February 2006.  Students studied aspects of Jiyu Ippon during the morning class.  Various Kata and  Bunkai was practiced during the afternoon class, this would be needed for some students who were attempting   their Dan grading later on in the day.

A high pass rate was achieved although, there were some disappointments, but to reassure those who were disappointed on the day, determination and adjustments in your approach to training will put matters right for the next attempt at grading. Successful Dan Grade candidates on the day are listed below

Some members had traveled from Devon and Cornwall to attended and we have received some very positive feedback from this course along with the Instructor Class held in Andover 12th February.  The next Dan Grading opportunity will take place on Sunday 4th June in Plymouth, Devon - Pleas note - This date has been re-scheduled from Sunday 11th June. 

It is planned to schedule another Instructor Class as soon as an appropriate date becomes available - keep your eyes on the 'Events' page on the SEKU website.

AVON REGION COURSE & GRADING

The Avon region Kyu grading was held at the University of the West of England Sunday 29th January.  Although it was a small grading the standard was good and most candidates  went home successful.  Thanks to John Shyne for allowing us to use his Dojo

SOUTH WEST COURSE & GRADING

Second of the 2006 training courses for Kyu grades happened in Plymouth Devon Sunday 22nd January and proved to be as successful as the previous weekend held in Portsmouth.  Hosted by Paul Uren's Plymouth Karate-Do Club in the Lipson Community College it was as usual, well attended.

Brenda Gibert brought her club members along from Liskerrys Karate-Do (Liskeard) for training and the grading examination.  All members who entered the grading exam were successful in attaining their next rank.

Those in attendance enjoyed the rest of  the day with instruction given by Mick Dewey and Paul Uren respectively.

HAMPSHIRE COURSE & GRADING

2006 kicked off with a successful course and grading for Kyu grades at the Honbu Dojo Portsmouth on the weekend of 14/15 January.  Three Dojo's were in use as usual, thanks for support from various instructors and administration who helped the day run smoothly.  One pleasing outcome was the attendance of members for training only and there just for grading purposes.

SOUTH WEST BLACK & BROWN BELT COURSE

The course was held at the Dojo of Paul Uren the Plymouth Karate-Do with members attending from Clevedon, Avon, Liskeard, Saltash, Portsmouth and Plymouth.

The classes began with a short warm-up with Sensei Dewey and continued with Sensei O'Donnell who spent an hour and a half on the finer points of  Kata Chinte.  The second class conducted by Sensei Mick Dewey, was given over to Jiyu Ippon Sho, followed by half an hour of Randori. 

It was a special day for Paul's dad Chris Uren, who used this course to launch  his charity push to raise money for 'Damons Health Angel Fund'. 

The next time any of you decide not to go training because are too tired, check out the ages of these amazing members in the picture below and take some encouragement from them! The picture was taken after Black and Brown Belt training at the Plymouth Dojo.

The Golden Oldies

Left to right, John Frape, Avon KC 71 years - Brenda Gibert, Lykerrys KC 57 years - Derek Hyde, Plymouth Karate-Do 67 years - Tony Harvie, Plymouth Karate-Do 67 years and the baby of them all - Chris Uren, not quite 60 years embarking onto the first day of his six-day karate marathon.

Successful Dan Grade candidates on the day were:

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