www.bwku.co.uk

BWKU courses are open to all grades. The aim of these sessions is to give students something they not otherwise get, due to the demands on time during normal weekly training sessions.

During Sunday sessions more time is available to specialise and examine key areas. Sessions are usually given over to one specific area, so key points can be covered in more detail.

Valueable pointers are also given as to such things as Dan Grade exams. The Dan Grade panel has noticed over the years that people who fail usually do so on areas that have been covered on Sunday sessions. When we check the records, the ones who fail, have usually missed a large number of specialised Sunday courses.

While we appreciate that people have busy lives and other priorities so they cannot make all the sessions, the Dan Grade panel do not expect to be verbally abused for making decisions based on information given at a specific session.

Those who enter competitions realise the commitment and training required, and for those who are preparing for a Dan Grade, this has to be a priority in your life for at least the 6 month period before the exam.

24th JAN 10, BWKU TRAINING -ADWICK, 10.00 – 12.00

21st FEB 10, BWKU TRAINING, ADWICK SPORTS CENT, 10.00 - 12

28th FEB 10, AMA CHAMPIONSHIPS, SELECTED SQUAD

7th MARCH 10, KATA , ADWICK SPORTS CENT, 10.00am - 12

9th MAY 10, ONE-DAY GASSHUKU, ADWICK, 4 HOUR

16th MAY 10,DAN GRADINGS, ADWICK, 10.00 START

6th JUNE 10, JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS, GOOLE.

27th JUNE, BWKU TRAINING, ADWICK, 10.OOam - 12

11th JULY, KATA COURSE, ADWICK, 10.00am - 12

18th JULY, WILLIE THOMAS, ADWICK, 1pm - 4.00pm

8th AUG, 1 DAY GASSHUKU. 4 HOURS, ADWICK, 10.00 - 3.00pm

12th SEPT, BWKU TRAINING, ADWICK, 10.00am - 12.00

17th OCT, BWKU KATA COURSE, ADWICK, 10.00am - 12.00

14th NOV 10, DAN GRADINGS- DONCASTER

12th DEC 10, WINTER 1-DAY GASSHUKU - T.B.C.

ALL BWKU COURSES ARE OPEN TO ALL GRADES

Every effort has been made to ensure these dates are, and will remain accurate, if due to unforeseen circumstances any dates or venues need to change we will give as much notice as possible.

The BWKU look forward to seeing you at these events throughout the year

Please Note. The views and comments from Mugger are not those of the BWKU, merely an individual aimed at provoking thought and discussion.

"THE TOUGHEST OPPONENT IS YOURSELF"

Hi again, Mugger here.

Here I am again, with my next offering. Some of you may not agree with this article, however, it is my opinion only, and not that of the BWKU or it's officials.

I telephoned Sensei Andrew Genery and asked if he fancied a coffee as I needed to pick his brain. "Sorry Mugger, I have a class this afternoon, but I will be back about 4pm. come round then", replied Sensei.

"TEACHING ?" I replied, "It's the weekend"

Anyway, 4pm I turned up at Sensei's. Where have you been teaching? I asked . "Barnsley".

"Are you still going all over the place?" I asked Sensei. "Yeah".

"Why the hell do you do that?" I asked Sensei. Before he could answer, I told him what I thought.

"You are the Chief Instructor, they should come to you, not you go to them. That is what a Chief Instructor does, you are not a club Coach, you are Head Coach. A session with the Chief should be something special, NOT an everyday happening."

Wow, no reply from Sensei.

As I was on a role, I continued.

"How many senior grades have you got, 3rd Dan and above in your clubs?" I asked.

"About a dozen"

"OK Sensei, and how many have opened clubs?." answer, None.

Yes, I know not everyone can open a club for a number of reasons, but let me continue with my argument.

"NONE?", "Why?" I asked.

"Don't know" replied Sensei, "ask them"

"Because you do all the work, they are comfortable in their role, and in the belief that the club will always be there for them."

Now, how it should work, and in the true traditions of Karate.

The seniors MUST open a class. So that makes 12 clubs. The seniors and their students go to train with the Chief Coach at the Honbu, the main dojo. The Chief Sensei is also invited to visit these clubs, thus a session with the Sensei is special, something to be relished, NOT the norm. There should also be Black belt only sessions, where the Dan Grades get worked and pulled to pieces, without their student seeing. That makes them angry, so they go and give their students a hard time. That builds respect. That builds a strong group.

"OK Sensei, do you want to teach every session?", "NO"

"Do you enjoy every session?", "NO"

"How much longer can your body, and indeed your mind carry on donig what you are," "Don't know"

FACT. Everyone at some point has to do less to do it longer. YOUR BODY TELLS YOU THAT.

It is a biological fact that as you age you need shorter, higher intensity sessions. I hour, fast and furious sessions are ideal.

No matter who you are, doing the same thing day in day out becomes a chore. Karate twice a week keeps it fresh, and a couple of complementary sessions, eg, weights, swim is the overall package.

I told Sensei he is no different. He is only human. He will need to change.

(Sensei will hate me for this, but he did admit session do take longer to recover from, as there is no day off).

To all of you. I know many longer time, high grades Sensei. None of them teach full time.

Food for thought.

Mugger