Ishinryu News (2011)
December 2011 - Jonathan Mottram upgraded to 5th Dan
CONGRATULATIONS to sensei Jonathan Mottram after being upgraded to 5th Dan by sensei Ticky Donovan 9th Dan OBE. Sensei Mottram was given the accolade in front of instructors and students at the Ishinryu one-day pre-grading course at Barking Abbey. It followed huge success in his coaching for both Ishinryu and now as England kata coach.
Also upgraded was sensei Steve Baxter from East Durham Ishinryu who was awarded his 3rd Dan after a hugely successful trip to Australia in October and was praised by sensei Donovan for his sterling work in promoting the Ishinryu name and making his association proud.
Sensei Mottram's student, Emma Lucraft, was also upgraded to 2nd Dan after becoming the only English athlete to get a kata medal at a world championships - picking up a bronze in Malaysia in October.
Well done to all.
Ishinryu just keeps on getting stronger!
October 2011 - Steve Baxter visits Australia
Thanks to Sensei Bruce Hyland for these photos from Steve Baxter's recent visit down-under and his report back to Sensei Ticky Donovan below...
"Steve is not your normal average 2nd Dan. He possesses many attributes most 3-4th Dans have. Steve and his partner at the East Durham Dojo Gavin Foster must be real assets to Ishinryu England.
Steve is a true gentleman, his manner, his teaching ability, his technical ability, his knowledge of basic/kihon and bunkai of kata was excellent. We have at the dojos led by me been very lucky to have Greg, Lee and Steve make the journey to AUSTRALIA. We look forward to having them and of course yourself visit again soon."
13 May 2011 - Ticky Donovan OBE appointed to the European Karate Federation technical Commission
It has just been announced that Ticky Donovan OBE has been appointed to the European Karate Federation Technical Commission.
The new Chairman of the Commission, Mike Billman, appointed Ticky Donovan after a lengthy discussion with the WKF and EKF President, Snr Antonio Espinos.
Mike said that he was tasked to form a commission that could deal with Technical matters at the highest level and that, bearing in mind the way the WKF and EKF (Europe) are moving forward, his choices were simple to make.
"I decided to get the best technically-minded people in the world to work with me on the commission. The President listened to my suggestions, asked me a few questions (understatement) and finally agreed to accept my choices."
"I chose Ticky because he is one of the most knowledgeable karate practitioners on the planet and has gained respect at the highest level. My biggest problem was that, having two people from the same country on the board, had never happened before so I had to convince the President that this would work. Fortunately Snr Espinos is very far-seeing and understood the reasoning behind my choices."
"Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to personally welcome them on to the Commission, and to say that I look forward to us working together."
Good news indeed for English and British Karate!
2011 - Student Profile - Dean 'Tank' Hollowood
Thanks to sensei Bruce Hyland for the following report...
When Dean 'TANK' Hollowood walked into my Dojo in the autumn of 1999 as a 4 year old, I wasn't to know that he was going to become my most complete athlete and there is still a way to go.
There are athletes in the World that I can compere Dean to and one pops to my mind immediately and that is Roger Federer the tennis great. I'm told by TV commentators that he has the complete game.
Dean has an ingredient that one cannot buy and that is 'will' to be the best. His capacity over many years to improve his fitness and conditioning make him able to make decisions at crucial time during a match. His nickname 'TANK' comes from that ability to keep going when others falter.
His capacity, during training either at the Dojo or state and national training, to absorb information (technical and tactical scenarios) and retain that information and again use it during a match is extraordinary.
The Karate athlete is unique having to be able to burst off the starting line when the referee announces 'Hajime' (start) and make the decision that he-she will score immediately or make it into a cat and mouse tactical match.
The Karate athlete has to have the capacity to deliver a punch-strike or kick to an opponent at full force and at skin touch retract that attack and resume a guard waiting for the next attack from an opponent or attack again.
The karate athlete has many areas to contend with:
- what type of personality their opponent has (every athlete differs)
- what type of fighter their opponent is (attacking-counter attacking just to name two)
- what tactics to use against athletes from different regions of the world
- what tactics they're going to use from round 1 to the semi to the final
Dean 'TANK' Hollowood is a delight to coach as very few words are needed to inspire him. I believe he is inspired by his own performance always trying to better each match and what he does during that match. Winning is important but it's how you win that's most important. I always see a twinkle in his eye when he knows he performed at the very best level, that is why he is the complete athlete.
"Dean Hollowood will be Victoria's first WKF World Karate Champion"
1st International Rumi Children's Games
20-23rd April 2011
Ishinryu's Aimee Sell and Chris Karwacinski, members of the English Karate Federation Cadet 'A' squad were selected by National Coach Wayne Otto OBE to compete in the 1st International Rumi Children's Sport Tournament in Konya, Turkey which was held on the 20-23rd April 2011. They formed part of a nine-man squad with both Aimee and Chris selected for the Kata categories.
Within the General Directorate of Youth and Sports, the 1st International Rumi Children's Sports Games was organized by the Konya Provincial Directorate of Youth and Sports of Turkey. The Directorate in conjunction with the Turkish Karate Federation had arranged to cover the costs of accommodation and travel for the competitors at this tournament.
There were a number of sports being represented at these games including Athletics, Cycling, Gymnastics, Weightlifting, Karate, Chess and Taekwondo. The EKF Cadet squad will be the Karate representatives from England for the Karate discipline.
Opening Ceremony Wednesday the squad were taken to the venue for the opening ceremony for the International Rumi Children's Games. All of the competing squads were paraded in the packed stadium greeted by applause from the eager crowd.
There were a few speeches from the Directorate of Sport followed by music, a Gymnastics display and children in national dress performing a traditional Turkish dance. With all the other sports taking part in the opening ceremony it resembled a mini Olympics.
Once the ceremony had completed, the squad headed back to the hotel to find lunch had been prepared for everyone.
The evening saw the squad go to the sports stadium being used for the Karate tournament for some light training before returning for their evening meal.
Wednesday saw the first day of competition for Karate with the Female Karate athletes in action.
The tournament started off with the Kata event. Representing England was Aimee Sell. Aimee only had to perform in three rounds and she started well winning her opening round as her Annan Kata beat her Greek opponents Gojushiho 4 flags to 1. The semi-final saw Aimee win with a 4-1 victory as her Chatanyara Kushanku Kata beat her Spanish rivals Annan Kata. The finals for the Kata were held later during the day with Aimee facing her second Greek opponent. Aimee performed Unshu and yet another 4-1 win saw her beat her opponent's Suparinpei Kata to claim Gold for the squad.
Thursday saw the remaining members of the squad compete, the Male Karate athletes in action to complete the tournament.
First up was Chris Karwacinski competing in the Kata events. Chris made a blistering start to his campaign as he faced his Turkish opponent in the opening round. Chris performed Empi with his opponent performing Jion and Chris took a decisive win 5 flags to 0. The next round semi-final saw Chris go head-to-head with an Azerbaijan opponent. Chris once again won the round 5-0 with his Gojushiho-Sho Kata out performed his opponents Jion Kata. Chris is now in the final faced a Turkish opponent. Chris performed Kanku-Sho but his opponent's Chatanyara Kushanku proved too strong leaving Chris to collect a well deserved silver.
Closing Ceremony On Saturday morning the squad went to yet another stadium where an Olympic style opening ceremony was held. The athletes waited in the centre of the stadium while each delegation received a commemorative plaque. The athletes and delegations were then paraded around the stadium following flag bearers. There was a big cheer when England walked around and an announcement was made that our National Coach, Wayne Otto OBE was in attendance at the games which demonstrated the high regard he his held in other countries.
The teams were then escorted to their seats to watch the children in traditional costumes dance to traditional music and watch some children's sporting displays.
All the athletes and teams from all of the participating sports were then taken to the Governor of Konya's house for a BBQ and garden party. There they met the Governor himself and other dignitaries. Entertainment and dancing followed before eventually heading back to the hotel to recuperate. What a day to remember.
Both Aimee and Chris had a brilliant time being treated exceptionally well by their Turkish hosts. Both performed well collecting a gold and silver between them justifying the belief shown in them by National Coach Wayne Otto OBE. One of the best tournaments they've ever attended.
For full competition reports, results and additional photos, please visit: www.englishkaratefederation.com/squad
Scottish International Open Championships
23-24th April 2011
Barking Abbey Ishinryu had three competitors travel to Edinburgh competing in the Scottish International Championships, Connor Chatfield, Kira Munns-Charlton and Toni Shearing.
Toni Shearing competed in the 10-11yrs Kata event and started well winning 3 flags to 0 with her excellent performance of Bassai-Dai. The 2nd round saw Toni perform Seienchin and once again won the round convincingly with a 3-0 win. The 3rd round saw Toni perform Gojushiho where another 3-0 win saw her safely through to semi-final. Toni performed Seienchin once again in the 4th round as repeats were allowed and now with 5 judges to impress she did great winning 4 flags to 1 to make the final. Now in the final she faced a tough opponent but Toni's performance of Gojushiho was good enough to seal a 3-2 win and secure an amazing gold medal, amazing all the more as she had just gone up into the new age category with this competition being her first in the 10-11yrs events. What an excellent start and what a bright future.
Toni, not content with a Kata gold, also entered the Girls 10-11yrs Kumite event. Toni won her opening round fight 4-1 but unfortunately lost out in the next round. However, she had done well enough to earn herself a Bronze medal to add to her earlier gold. Well done.
Another rising star with a bright future is Kira Munns-Charlton who secured a Silver in the Girls 12-13yrs Kata event. Kira started well securing a 3 flags to 0 win with her opening round Kat of Annan. The 2nd round saw Kira perform Seipai to good effect as she once again secured a 3-0 win. Now in the semi-finals and facing 5 judges, Kira performed a strong Bassai-Dai Kata where she stormed to victory with a 5-0 win. The final saw Kira facing an adversary from Sweden, a Swedish girls Kira had beaten in Sweden 5-0 a few weeks earlier. However, it was revenge as the tables were turned this time round. Kira's Annan wasn't able to beat her opponent's excellent Nipaipo Kata and Kira was the one to suffer a 5-0 defeat this time. None-the-less, the Katas Kira performed were some of the best she's performed so far so a Silver medal was an excellent result.
Competing in the Male 14-15yrs Kata category was Connor Chatfield. Connor did exceptionally well in his tough field as he made the final to face an Egyptian opponent. On the day the Egyptian proved too strong and Connor had to settle for Silver. The Egyptian competitors were all very strong and Connor too many lessons watching their performances. Hence, win or loose, if you can take something away from each and every competition to improve yourself, then the results can become irrelevant as you'll keep improving and getting better and better.
Well done to the squad who took part.
ISHINRYU score fab five in Euro call-up
IT'S a fantastic five for Ishinryu!
Five athletes from the association have been selected to represent England at the forthcoming European Senior Karate Championships in Switzerland.
Sensei Jonathan Mottram is aiming for Euro glory in the male Kata, while his Barking Abbey student Emma Lucraft will head off in the female Kata.
In another coup for Ishinryu, sensei Mottram will be joined by Barking Abbey students Steve Karwacinski and John Gardiner who will represent England after their first senior call-up in the male team Kata.
And keeping up Ishinryu's fighting traditions at top level is East Durham's Aaron Swales who will be part of the men's team.
The five are now training hard ahead of the championships in Zurich starting on May 6.
Ishinryu chief instructor, Sensei Donovan 9th Dan O.B.E. said: "After eight Ishinryu members were selected for the junior Europeans, this another amazing achievement for our athletes. "The juniors had some amazing medal success, so hopefully the seniors can match them. Well done to all."
Sensei Donovan will also represent England as the nation's Head of Delegation for the tournament - so our athletes need to work even harder with our sensei looking on.
Good luck to all and also best wished to our athletes at the forthcoming EKF national championships in Sheffield on April 16 and 17.
November 2010 - Eight Ishinryu Students selected for the Junior European Championships
ISHINRYU has scored a super eight England call ups for the Junior European Championships.
Ishinryu's female Kata team of Aimee Sell, Rebecca Birch and Kate Karwacinski will also fly the flag of their nation at championships in Serbia in February in the junior category. The trio came through a final test in front of England selectors at the weekend - which also saw Kate selected for 16-17yrs Kumite.
And it was a one, two, three for the Karwacinskis as Kate's twin Steve also picked up a selection in the individual 14-17yrs Kata and the male 14-17yrs team Kata alongside younger brother Chris and Connor Chatfield. Chris will also carry the nation's hopes in the individual cadet Kata.
Fresh from the senior world championships, it will be a return to Serbia for Emma Lucraft, who will fly the flag in the female U-21 Kata. And also keeping up the family name was Aimee Sell's brother, Alex who snatched his place on the plane for the male U-21 Kumite U-78kg.
All eight train at Barking Abbey Ishinryu under the watchful eye of sensei Jonathan Mottram. Sensei Donovan said: "This is a fantastic achievement for Ishinryu and testament to all the hard work put in by instructors and students alike." We wish them all could luck in Serbia and will follow their progress closely. There's no stopping us now!
October 2010 - Richmondshire Ishinryu
IT'S A BIG welcome back on board as Richmondshire Ishinryu opens its doors.
The club, once based in Richmond, North Yorkshire, has re-launched in a new venue at Catterick and students are rushing to join.
Instructors Yvonne Lombard and Andrew Swainston are long-standing Ishinryu members. But the club has now had a re-birth, and with the help of sensei Steve Baxter, from East Durham Ishinryu, it is hoping to go from strength to strength.
Yvonne said: "It's great to back as part of the Ishinryu family once more and we hope the club grows and grows". I would just like to thanks senseis Gavin Foster and Steve Baxter for their help and support and of course sensei Donovan for his continued support."
Richmondshire Ishinryu,
Catterick Leisure Centre,
Gough Road,
Richmondshire,
North Yorkshire,
Wednesday, 7 - 8pm
Friday, 6 -7 pm
Telephone Yvonne on: 07812603386
23 October 2010 - Ishinryu Open One Day Course
Training was taken by Sensei Ticky Donovan O.B.E. 9th Dan and top Ishinryu Instructors.
Time: 11.00 am Check in. First session 11.30 to 1.00 pm. Second session 2.00 pm until 3.30 pm.
Location: Barking Abbey School, Woodbridge Road, IG11 9ET.
See our Photo Gallery for more images from the day
October 2010 - Report on Gasshuku #22
from Sensei Bruce Hyland
Gasshuku #22 has just passed and again another sensational year with 86 participants. Plus some great instruction from Sensei Edji-Mark and Chris and they will be ALL back for 2011..... in 2011 we will have four YES four..international guest instructors from Ishinryu England. Sensei Lee Smith 5th Dan-Sensei Gavin Foster 3rd Dan-Sensei Tony Spinks 3rd Dan-Sensei Steve Baxter 2nd Dan. WOW what a lineup of Instructors, put these dates into your calendar NOW for 2011........
Congratulations to all the successful students who attempted DAN grades well done.. Sensei Peter and Tony after many hard years of work have produced their first BLACK BELTS... to those who missed out we will see you at the FIRST Ishinryu One Day Course in March 2011...... we hope to have a very SPECIAL GUEST INSTRUCTOR for that Ishinryu event.....
Congratulations to Sensei Tony Hester 3rd Dan "Ishinryu Rosebud"...
On a SAD note - the Mt. Evelyn Recreation Camp LOST one of their SNAKES from their wide life display.. we only HOPE that they find it be the guys from England arrive....?
Special Thanks to Danni from Mt Evelyn....
October 2010
Train Operator East Coast to assist Ishinryu students
EAST Durham Ishinryu is kicking so high it efforts have reached the corridors of power in Whitehall.
Train operator East Coast tracked their progress all the way to the House of Commons from the North-East
Earlier this year the club secured a Cash4Clubs grant to help fund its top competitors
Club members Aaron Swales, 23, and Liam Conroy, 16 have recorded some great success in the last 12 months. And East Coast stepped in to help them make the trip to the capital to attend a glittering ceremony at the House of Parliament with other grant winners and athletes.
East Coast spokesman Paul Williams said: "East Coast is proud to offer support to help these two rising sports stars from the North East attend the event in the House of Commons to celebrate their achievements."
"It is important for East Coast as a travel provider in region to offer help and assistance to members of the community which can make a difference."
The athletes attended the afternoon reception with club coaches Gavin Foster and Steve Baxter
Sensei Gavin said: "It was a fantastic boost for the club to be invited to the Commons reception, but all the athletes are self funded and meeting the costs is very difficult on top of training and competition fees."
"When East Coast agreed to help we were thrilled and hopefully they can track the progress of our athletes in the future."
The team got to spread the word of the club, Ishinryu and its successes to sporting professionals and politicians from across the UK.
October 2010 - Stuart Kaighin
Australia's first 5th Dan student
Stuart Kaighin is one of the nice guys in martial arts. He has done it all from the streets of St Kilda in Melbourne-Australia as a kid to the jungles of Vietnam as a 19 year old, to a Tae Kwon Do dojang then to a Karate Dojo, from Poomse/forms Champion to Kata/forms Champion to Victorian State Kata Coach and recently the highest graded student of Ishinryu Karate awarded to him by Ishinryu's founder Ticky Donovan O.B.E. 9th Dan.
Stuart began his martial arts journey in 1976 when he walked Master Yong Dai Cho 9th Dan Dojang; he rose through the ranks to 3rd Dan winning two state titles in Poomse/forms in 1984-85 and 1st place at the Australian titles in 1985. Stuart also ran a successful Dojo producing his own Tae Kwon Do champions.
In 1986 he wanted something different from his martial art so he made the transition from Tae Kwon Do to Ishinryu Karate under Sensei Bruce Hyland 6TH Dan. Changing Styles from one karate group to another is hard in itself as they are the 'same but different' but from the Tae Kwon Do to Karate a completely different language, terminology and philosophy.
Stuart's determination-dedication and desire in his new martial art is a testament to his character and personal perseverance to succeed, this is what Ishinryu karate is about personal development.
in 1991 Stuart went in his first Kata events it took this long for him to feel comfortable after learning Kata which he would be competitive and he was he went onto representing Victoria fifteen years in a row retiring in 2006, the journey does not end there, Stuart at the same time as he was competing he helped others achieve their goal by being part of the Victorian coaching panel from 1997 to 2006.
Stuart in his Tae Kwon Do days was a tournament director, at an administration level he also was AKF/Karate Victoria Secretary from 2004 to 2009.
Stuart has left no stone unturned in his pursuit of martial arts knowledge he is a Black Belt 1st Dan in Okinawan Kobudo Renmei (weapons).
Stuart assists at all Ishinryu Dojos and is a willing help to any student who needs assistance and guidance within Ishinryu or anybody who asks.
Stuart is what Ishinryu is all about "all of one heart".
14 October 2010
Parliment Reception for Ishinryu Club
EAST Durham Ishinryu is going from strength to strength - so much so the club has been recognised in the corridors of power in Whitehall!
After securing a Cash4Clubs grant earlier this year, the club has now been invited to a reception at the Houses of Parliament with other winners. Sensei Gavin Foster, sensei Steve Baxter, Aaron Swales and Liam Conroy will travel to the capital for the reception on October 14.
The event will celebrate winners and the success of the grant scheme. Members will be able to spread the word of the club and its successes to sporting professionals and politicians. Our young athletes and instructors will also get to mix with some famous names from sport!
It is yet another great achievement for the club, it's members and Ishinryu.
Well done to all.
August 2010
Sensei Ticky Donovan visit to Australian Dojos
Sensei Ticky Donovan 9th Dan conducted a series of training seminars in Australia for Senseis and Students of Ishinryu. Dates were 27, 28, and 29 August 2010.
Friday 27th (7 pm) Patterson Lakes Community Centre - Coloured Belts
Saturday 28th (2 pm) Mornington Dojo - Senseis and Sempais only
Sunday 29th (2 pm) Seaford Dojo - Black and Brown Belts only
June / July 2010 - Sensei Bruce Hyland UK Visit
Sensei Bruce Hyland (6th Dan) on a visit to the UK took the opportunity to attend the Open Summer Course this year. Bruce also took time to teach at the Woodlane Dojo as well as to support his student Dean 'Tank' Hollowood at competitions in Glasgow and Corfu.
Seen here with enjoying a restaurant before the end of his UK visit.
Photo #1 (left to right): Peter Hollowood, Dean Hollowood, Rhyse Linnet, Ticky Donovan, Bruce Hyland.
Photo #2 (left to right): Peter Hollowood, Lee Smith, Ticky Donovan, Bruce Hyland, Tony Spinks.
May 2010
EAST Durham's Aaron and Liam make TV debut
A BBC sport crew came to the club's Peterlee Dojo to film the pair after a string of recent successes. Aaron, 23, recently returned from the European Championships in Greece and Liam, 15, took the cadet U-57kg crown at the EKF English Championships.
They were interviewed, along with sensei Gavin Foster, about their victories and their hopes and dreams for the future. It was a huge boost for the club and Ishinryu - with the association name and badge repeatedly featured on the programme. Sensei Foster said: "It's rare that karate gets such TV coverage so it was priceless. It was a really good piece and fantastic for the association."
March 2010
East Durham Ishinryu awarded sports grant
CASH 4 CLUBS has awarded its latest grants to 14 sports clubs nationwide and East Durham Ishinryu is one of just two in the North to benefit. East Durham Ishinryu was awarded a grant of £250. The cash was awarded to help pay for the training and transport for the club's two star performers, Aaron Swales and Liam Conroy - both recently selected for the England squad.
The initiative, funded by Betfair, the UK's largest online betting company, and in partnership with SportsAid, seeks to provide much-needed money for grass roots clubs involved in any sport. The £10,000 handed out in this round of funding takes the total to £65,000 since its inception, with the judging panel, on this occasion made up of double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes, SportsAid CEO Tim Lawler, journalist Ben Clissitt and James Radford, Head of Growth at Sport England awarding funds on a quarterly basis.
Coach Gavin Foster said: "On behalf of all our students, a big thank you to Cash 4 Clubs. this cash injection will help our students achieve their goals and hopefully go on to achieve their dreams." Dame Kelly Holmes, a member of the Cash 4 Clubs awarding panel, said: "Judging these awards gives me the chance to see how many clubs there are right across the country, all the volunteers and parents involved, and all the clubs thinking creatively about how they can increase participation. I think we're getting such a good mix now that it's really positive for sport in this country. It is so nice to see this side of it because I always work on the elite-end but this is the side where it starts and is the only way it can continue. All I can say is keep up the great work."
Betfair CSR Manager Georgina Corbett added: "we are delighted so many clubs applied for grants and the level of interest shows how important the Cash 4 Clubs scheme is. Betfair is committed to supporting grass roots sport and we look forward to continuing the program in the years to come. Grants can be used to improve facilities, purchase new equipment and generally invest in the sustainability of their club. Awards of up to £1,000 are made on a quarterly basis, with applications judged by an independent committee. To apply clubs need to fill out an application available at www.cash-4-clubs.com.
8 March 2010
Sensei Ticky Donovan 9th Dan O.B.E. at Woodlane
Sensei Donovan took a one-off training session at the Woodlane Dojo on Monday 8th March. The lesson ran as usual from 8 p.m. through to 9:30 p.m and normal Woodlane Dojo fees applied on the night.
This session was open to all Ishinryu students and Woodlane were pleased to welcome many attendees from other Ishinryu clubs.
1 March 2010 - More East Durham Fund Raising
A "KNIGHTS of the home" repair service have driven to the rescue of East Durham Ishinryu's Aaron Swales to help him achieve his sporting dream.
Domestic service specialist 0800-REPAIR homed in on Aaron as a future star. And the firm, with the help of Ishinryu 2nd Dan Michael Day, has sponsored the 22-year-old £1,000 to help fund his hectic international competition programme.
Aaron said: "I'm just thrilled. This cash boost means everything and will go a long way to helping me achieve my dreams."
Aaron, a 2nd Dan, was recently selected for the England karate team to go to the European championships in Greece in May after impressing coaches with a string of competition successes and passing tough selections. His training regimes means he must attend monthly squad training sessions across the county and compete across Europe. But the costs can be staggering, and without funding he would be unable to achieve his goals.
Instructors and members of his club, based in Peterlee, are carrying out their own fund-raising drive. But Michael, a former England international himself, offered his help. He put in £250 from his own pocket, which was matched by other franchise holders and bosses. Micheal said: "Hopefully Aaron will now go on to great things."
Formerly JTM contracts, 0800 Repair is part of the Pacifica Group, based in Chester-le-Street, County Durham. It provides services to some of the UK's largest retailers, manufacturers and insurers of white goods, as well as household call-outs. The company, whose head office is based in Chester-le-Street, employs more than 100 staff at its call centres and has a network of 400 sub-contracted engineers across the UK. It is in the process of creating another 60 jobs for call centre workers over the next two years - 45 of them in Chester-le-Street - as it expands.
23 February 2010 - East Durham Fund Raising
EAST DURHAM Ishinryu had a pressing need to raise cash to help two students achieve their sporting dream and it has risen to the challenge.
Fighting fit students at East Durham Ishinryu took part in a 1,000 press-up challenge to fund England internationals Aaron Swales, 22, and Liam Conroy, 15, as they strive for excellence.
The pair, who train at the club at East Durham College, were recently selected for the England karate 'A' squad and have a hefty competition schedule over the next 12 months.
But their fellow students have given them a push in the right direction with a cash boost by completing the press-up challenge - which is set to bring in around £1,400 in sponsor money.
Instructor Gavin Foster, 3rd Dan, said: "These two lads have achieved so much already, but to achieve their dream they need vital funds to allow them to compete abroad to get the experience they need to excel on the international competition stage."
"The students at the club have done a fantastic job of getting behind them, raising cash and rising to the press-up challenge.
"I'm really proud of what they've done - but now we've got to get more."
February 2010 - Memories of Summer Course from Mark Elliott - 5th Dan Shotokan Karate
I first trained on the summer course in 1982 when when l was 18 and 2nd Kyu, 27 years down the road I have missed one year (1983) when my daughter was born.
Unfortunately now due to work commitments (and not being as fit as l used to be) over the last few years l have only been able to attend the first two or three days, but l am still in the line up on the same piece of grass!!
I could write a book about the Summer course over those years, but to keep it short, those early years were crazy, three times a day of punishment (or was it training!!!!) each of the class instructors wanting to do better and push us harder than the instructor from the previous class.
Then to loosen up, the obligatory evening disco and light refreshments being aware that if you missed the morning session you had the wake up call or knock from hell and if you were lucky a bucket of cold water or worse a gentle run to the beach for an early morning swim to sooth the hangover.
But that was then and times change (thankfully) over the years l have had some of the best karate training l have ever had on the course. I have met some great instructors that have even taught for me on the Isle of Wight, John Richards and Tyrone White to name a couple. I have lined up with people of all abilities and over the years that have become good friends, even though we only meet at the summer course.
Karate is founded on tradition developed over many years and this course is the same, course instructors have come and gone for many reasons but the training remains the same year on year good quality no matter what style of karate you are from. If the weathers good you go home with a tan, if not were inside working, thankfully those of us with aches and pains etc can work at their pace. If you have been on the course you will know what l am saying, if you have not give it a go at least once in your training career, you don't know what you're missing until you have tried it.
l feel I have contributed a little over the years to the course, including when Ticky asked my instructor Dave Hazard to teach on the course - Dave rang me!!!! to ask about it and what did l think of him being there, well whatever l said must have been a contributory factor because he is still there now and that must have been about 12 years ago.
For us older generation that have been around a little the course anthem in the disco was always McFadden and Whiteheads - "Ain't no stopping us now" how true that has been.
I feel honoured and privileged to have had the opportunity to train with, had support and friendship from Ticky over the years.
Ticky - all the best for this years and many other years of summer courses. Oss
Mark Elliott 5th Dan Shotokan Karate
1996 Summer Course student of the year and runner up to Eddie Gilespie in the men's Kumite!!!!
As a long standing course student l would also like to hear other senior's experiences, and l am sure the current generation of students and those thinking of coming along would also like to know what it was like way back then, so come on colleagues, friends training partners send Ticky a report its all part of our history lets record the fact and acknowledge what Ticky has done for us!!!!!!!!!!!!