Membership Information 2011

GENERAL

Karate is a system of self defence and physical culture developed and refined in Okinawa and Japan. There are several fundamental styles of karate but use slightly different training methods and place varying degrees of emphasis on issues such as the speed, strength and range of techniques practiced. Shotokan emphasises a balanced development of all of these aspects, taught within a system which instils confidence and self control.

KARATE UNION OF GREAT BRITAIN

The KUGB is a democratic non-profit making organisation and is affiliated to the official European and World governing bodies. It has almost 12,000 members throughout the United Kingdom. The KUGB has clubs established in many sports centres, universities and schools and is recognised by Sport England.

SOUTH NOTTS SHOTOKAN KARATE CLUB

The South Notts Shotokan Karate Club was established in Keyworth in 1985. The SNSKC is affiliated to the Karate Union of Great Britain the original governing body for Shotokan Karate in this country.

OBJECTS OF THE CLUB

The objects of the SNSKC are to:

a) foster and develop the art, sport and practice of Shotokan Karate in Keyworth and South Nottinghamshire;

b) organise and regulate club training, special courses and gradings;

c) unite persons locally wishing to learn and practice Shotokan Karate;

d) provide the opportunity for members to compete in regional and national competitions;

e) provide the opportunity for members to be selected onto the Central Region Squad and the England Squad;

d) develop the following, in respect of each member of the club:

i) a high level of skill in Shotokan Karate;

ii) an ability to apply the techniques of Shotokan Karate in lawful self defence;

ii) overall good health, fitness and wellbeing;

iii) qualities of commitment and dedication;

iv) a strong, confident and determined character.

MEMBERSHIP OF THE SNSKC

1. There are three types of club membership:

a) individual junior (8 – 16 years);

b) individual senior (over 16 years);

c) family (spouses, parents/guardians & children, siblings).

2. Application for club membership is made through liaison with the club instructor.

3. Club membership is renewed annually on payment of the annual subscription. This becomes due on 1st January each year and must be paid no later than 31st January.

4. A pro rata subscription fee is payable by those joining the club during the course of the membership year.

5. The annual subscription fee is as follows:

a) individual junior – 3 x junior training session fee;

b) individual senior – 3 x senior training session fee;

c) family – 3 x senior training session fee.

6. Club membership may be refused or terminated at the discretion of the club instructor.

MEMBERSHIP OF THE KUGB

1. Each member of the SNSKC is required to hold a valid annual licence issued by the KUGB.

2. It is the responsibility of each member to apply to the KUGB for a licence, immediately following acceptance into membership of the SNSKC.

3. It is the responsibility of each club member to ensure that his/her licence is up to date by renewing it annually.

4. The KUGB licence enables the member to enjoy the benefits of KUGB and SNSKC activities.

5. A current KUGB licence affords the member insurance cover in respect of certain loss or damage occasioned during training.

6. The KUGB licence must be produced by the club member at every grading examination or KUGB training course attended.

THE CLUB INSTRUCTOR

The instructor at the SNSKC is Rob Manning 4th dan who is a qualified black belt karate coach. He was awarded his black belt 1st dan in 1983 at the age of 18 and established the club in 1985. His introduction to karate competition was in 1980 at the age of 15 when he won the Central Region junior kumite event as a purple belt. Later the same year he came third in this category at the Shotokan Cup, the national individual championship. Rob’s proudest competitive achievement came in 1987 when at the age of 22 he became the National Students’ Champion by winning the senior men’s kumite event and taking 3rd place in the kata. The following year in 1988 Rob spent a month training at the headquarters of the Japan Karate Association in Tokyo, Japan. During a training session under Sensei Mikio Yahara 8th dan, Rob fought Richard Amos 6th dan who is now resident in New York as the chief instructor of the World Traditional Karate Organisation. On his return from Japan, Rob was runner-up in the 1988 Central Region senior men’s kumite event fighting former World Kumite Champion Dean Hodgkin in the final.

For many years Rob was a member of the successful Trent SKC kumite team and along with team mates Graham Millward and John Dornan won numerous tournaments. Rob has also been a member of the Central Region Squad under the direct tutelage of Sensei Frank Brennan 7th dan for many years. In 1988 Rob was privileged to be selected by Sensei Brennan to join a representative kumite team which travelled to Gent, Belgium to fight the Belgian national team at their annual championships. Rob won both his fights with ippon using his favourite leg sweep/punch combination defeating a well known Belgian international fighter in the process. Around this time Rob was invited by Sensei Andy Sherry 8th dan to train with the British team which was at the height of its World dominance. During this era the British team was captained by Frank Brennan and included Ronnie Christopher, Elwyn Hall, and Dean Hodgkin amongst other notables. Rob trained with the national squad at the famous Liverpool Red Triangle Dojo and at Crystal Palace.

Rob continued to actively compete during the 1990s. In 1996 he was runner-up in the London Shotokan Open men’s kumite event, and in 1999 he placed 3rd in the Central Region men’s kumite. Rob retired from competitive karate in 2000 at the age of 35. Rob now devotes his time to developing the SNSKC and attends specialist courses in areas such as first aid and coaching. He still regularly trains on advanced karate courses with leading instructors in order to maintain a high standard of tuition at the club. He is enormously proud of the achievements of his club members many of whom have enjoyed success in competitions, achieved high dan grades, and been selected for the regional and national squads.

THE CLUB’S CURRENT BLACK BELTS

Stephan Pacel 3rd dan

Ian Lea 2nd dan

Josh Ludlow 2nd dan

Zoe Collard 2nd dan

Alan Lea 2nd dan

Myles Ponsonby 2nd dan

Ian Kelly 2nd dan

Teddie Henderson 2nd dan

Gobe Hobona 2nd dan

Helen Cain 2nd dan

Rory Cave 1st dan

Martyn Collard 1st dan

Caroline Todd 1st dan

Charlotte Bonardi 1st dan

Kerry Lee 1st dan

Audrius Mickalauskas 1st dan

Caroline Rees 1st dan

Ryan Skilton 1st dan

Steve Cassapi 1st dan

Dave Newbury 1st dan

Rachel Tyler 1st dan

Tom Ludlow 1st dan

Jack Robson 1st dan

Anthony Mills 1st dan

Sheri Newbury 1st dan

Oliver Wood 1st dan

Becky Cassapi 1st dan

TRAINING

1. The training at the SNSKC is structured into three main sections. Each section has a range of complexity to suit the different grades of students:

a) kihon (basic techniques);

b) kata (set combinations of techniques);

c) kumite (sparring).

2. To facilitate training, club members should obtain a karate gi (karate suit) within a reasonable time of joining the SNSKC.

3. The following equipment should be obtained and worn at all times when training:

a) groin guard (men and boys);

b) chest protector (women and girls).

4. The following equipment should be obtained and worn during kumite (free sparring) practise:

a) gum shield;

b) white mits (KUGB approved);

5. Club members should ensure that their karate gi is clean and that their fingernails and toenails are kept short.

6. Club members should attend training sessions on time. In the event of being late club members should kneel at the edge of the dojo to await an invitation from the instructor to join the class.

7. Club members who arrive at the dojo early may change into their karate gi and wait at the edge of the dojo for the arrival of the instructor. Club members should not commence training or engage in any other vigorous exercise, warm up or activity in the absence of the instructor. Once the instructor is present in the dojo, club members may begin to warm up and/or otherwise appropriately prepare themselves for the start of the session.

8. Club members should sit quietly at the edge of the dojo if the instructor requests that a club member or group of club members need not participate in a particular aspect of a training session.

9.Training fees are payable at the beginning of each training session.

GRADING

1. Club members will be invited to take periodic grading examinations.

2. Gradings are conducted by senior external examiners from the KUGB. There are nine grades below black belt with 9th kyu (orange belt) being the first.

3. Club members must have a minimum of two months’ training experience prior to the first kyu grading (novice – 9th kyu) and have trained on average at least twice per week.

4. Club members must have a minimum of three months’ training experience between each subsequent Kyu grading (9th kyu – 1st kyu) and have trained on average at least twice per week.

5. Club members must have a minimum of six months’ training experience between attaining full 1st kyu status and grading for 1st dan black belt and have trained at least twice per week.

6. Club members who have achieved the minimum training experience will be entitled to undertake the appropriate kyu/ dan grading examination only when invited to do so by the club instructor.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CLUB INSTRUCTOR

The instructor at the SNSKC undertakes to:

1. instruct in Shotokan Karate so as to ensure correct development of karate techniques, spirit, etiquette and standards;

2. to provide and maintain a safe training environment within the dojo so as to minimise the risk of injury to club members;

3. train regularly so as to continually improve his personal standard;

4. at all times set a good physical, mental and moral standard to students;

5. ensure that high standards of dojo etiquette are explained and maintained;

6. ensure that the KUGB’s instructor guidelines for teaching children are applied;

7. ensure that relevant coaching qualifications are up to date;

8. ensure compliance with the legislation regarding CRB checks;

8. keep a record of the names and addresses of each club member including emergency contact details;

9. keep a record of attendance to be consulted in order to determine eligibility for grading examinations;

10. keep a record of all grading results;

11. encourage all club members to be as fully involved as possible in SNSKC and KUGB activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF CLUB MEMBERS

Club members undertake to:

1. abide by the rules of the SNSKC and the KUGB;

2. foster and develop his/her personal interest in Shotokan Karate;

3. endeavour to develop and maintain a high standard of technical ability in Shotokan Karate technique, spirit and etiquette;

4. train regularly and with enthusiasm so as to improve their personal standard;

5. observe high standards of dojo etiquette;

6. ensure that all techniques are controlled when practicing with a training partner or partners;

7. involve themselves as far as possible in courses and activities organised by the SNSKC and/or the KUGB;

8. conduct themselves in a manner appropriate to membership of the SNSKC and in accordance with the rules of the SNSKC and the KUGB;

9. uphold the true spirit of karate by refraining from aggressive and violent behaviour;

10. to use the skills developed through membership of the SNSKC outside the dojo only in lawful self defence, the defence of another or the prevention of crime.