2011 news archive

Press release: European Champion visits Backwell

19 December

Karate practitioners from across the region got an early Christmas present on Sunday when former European Karate Champion, Sensei Matthew Price, visited Backwell for a special training course. Sensei Price shared some of the techniques and training methods that helped him build an international reputation both as a competitor and instructor – including some of the latest thinking being taught at both his successful home club, Leeds Karate Academy, and to international competitors on the all-styles English team.

On top of this, the class was put through their paces with some groundwork and grappling techniques that Price has incorporated into his own training regime.

National squad member and club instructor, Tim Griffiths, said, "Over the last couple of years in particular, we've really developed the club so that Karate here is not only fun, but that our members get constantly inspired to do better. Having guest instructors like Sensei Price helps us do just that."

Backwell Karate have recently announced the extension of their beginners' classes – held at Backwell Parish Hall - into 2012. Classes are open to children and adults from 7 years upwards.

For more details, visit www.backwellkarate.org

Press release: Backwell youngsters in the medals

28 November

Under 16s from Backwell Karate club had a reason to celebrate last weekend as they brought home the medals from a youth Karate competition in Bath.

Club members Aaron, Fergus and Jake took home all the coloured belt first and second place trophies between them at the Bill Winfield Memorial competition, which saw children from clubs from across the Avon area take part.

Both Aaron and Fergus were awarded as ‘best overall junior competitors’, winning a place each at a week-long special training course next year.

National squad member and club instructor, Tim Griffiths, said, “The success of all members is testament to the hard work they've put in since we introduced our beginners classes at the start of the year, so it's great to see everyone perform well in both the competition and the coloured belt grading earlier that day.”

Backwell Karate have recently announced the extension of their beginners’ classes – held at Backwell Parish Hall - into 2012. Classes are open to children and adults from 7 years upwards.

Change of venue on Friday 16 September

13 September

On Friday 16th September the Parish Hall will be unavailable, so training is moving to the Backwell Budokan Hall at our usual training times of 6.30-7.30pm for below brown belts and 7.30-8.30pm for brown and black belts. To get there, use the Rodney Road entrance to Backwell Recreation Ground. The Budokan is immediately behind the Scout and Guide Hut. Take a look at the map to see where it is in relation to our usual dojo.

No other training times are affected.

Date announced for next coloured belt grading

13 September

We're pleased to let you know that the final coloured belt grading of the year will be on Sunday 20 November, again hosted by Bath Shotokan Karate Club. The venue and times will be confirmed nearer to the time.

At the last grading of each year, a small, friendly Karate competition - the Bill Winfield Memorial - is held for junior club members. We'd encourage all our students to take part, so if you're interested, please speak to one of the senseis before or after one of our training sessions.

Backwell Karate club members train with the champions

8 August

Last week, club members Toby Ballard, Jim Mateer, Aaron Mateer and club instructor Tim Griffiths took part in an annual Karate Summer School, held at Lancaster University. The course saw Karate students from around the country train with English Karate pioneers, Senseis Sherry, O'Neill, Poynton, Rhodes, Higgins and Brennan.

The course was a week long, consisting of nine Karate sessions, two 'bo' weapons classes and a brace of lectures on the physical aspect of Karate and also its history.

Club members threw themselves into the week, with Jim Mateer and Tim Griffiths also taking part in an extra grappling session, kindly given by former European Karate Champion, Sensei Matt Price.

We would like to thank all the instructors for a week of enjoyable classes, and also to congratulate Toby Ballard for passing his red belt at the end of the course.

Those people wishing to 'train with the champions' closer to home will be interested to know that we expect to host Sensei Price at a session in Backwell later in the year. More details as soon as the training session is confirmed.

Next coloured belt grading

4 June

The next coloured belt grading will be held on Sunday 17 July, hosted by Bath Shotokan Karate Club. As there is an all-grade training session before the grading, we will not be training at Backwell Parish Hall on this day. Training will start at 12 noon, with the grading following after this.

Please note that although the grading will be held at Bath University, as usual, we will be using the Founders Hall, not in the main sports village.

To be able to grade you will need to have completed a minimum number of training sessions and be at the required standard. If you're hoping to grade, please speak to one of the instructors in the next few weeks.

45th KUGB National Championships

14 May

On Saturday 14 May, the KUGB's showcase event, the 45th KUGB National Championships took place at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham. Clubs from across Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland took part in this major event which has to run simultaneously across 12 'tatamis', or mats, to keep this event to just one day.

Three Backwell Karate club members took part, with Tim Griffiths competing in Kata and both Ian Connell and Devon Troskie taking part in both Kata and Kumite disciplines. The standard of the tournament was high, meaning that placing in the event was always going to be challenging. Both Ian and Devon put in guttsy performances in both their events. Tim was eventually put out of the competition by former Welsh champion, Christian Whale.

Backwell Karate would like to congratulate the following winners of this year's KUGB Nationals:

Jon Bruce (Sendai Kushiro, Sunderland) - Senior Male Kumite

Hisham Saif, (Al Gazahli) - Senior Male Kata

Ashley Scott (Leeds Karate Academy) - Senior Female Kumite

Holly Sterling (Sendai Kushiro, Sunderland) - Senior Female Kata

Excellent effort at grading by Backwell Karate members

3 April

At today's coloured belt grading, Backwell Karate members put in a solid performance as they represented the club and took their next step towards black belt. Instructors Tim Griffiths, Chris Denny and Bryan Gideon would like to congratulate all those that passed, with special mentions to both Aaron Mateer and Jake Devereux for grading straight to red belt.

Well done to the following members;

Toby Ballard - 9th Kyu

Aaron Mateer - 8th Kyu

Jake Devereux - 8th Kyu

Fergus Puddy - 8th Kyu

Jim Mateer - 7th Kyu

Mark Trotman - 2nd Kyu

No training this Friday - club curry night

12 March

There will be no training on Friday 18th March, due to the drama club taking our usual booking slot. Instead, we'll be holding a club curry night at Britannia Spice on Backwell crossroads, diagonally opposite from the club.

All club members are welcome. We'll be sitting down at our usual training time of 7.30pm. If you can email us beforehand we'll be able to make sure there's space for everyone who'd like to come.