2012 news archive

Backwell Karate Bushido Warriors complete course

8 December

Our new Bushido Warriors with the rest of the club. Congratulations to those that successfully completed the Winter 2012 Backwell Karate Bushido Warriors programme last night. Everyone did brilliantly in the final session, where we reviewed everything that the Warriors learnt over the 8 weeks.

Backwell Karate are currently accepting new members at all age levels, including for their latest Bushido Warriors special course for children aged 5 to 8.

The Bushido Warriors beginners’ course (which starts up again on Friday 25th January) is designed especially for Primary School aged children and is a great way to have fun and learn something new in an environment that’s especially for your child’s age. Over the eight weeks of the course, your child will learn the basics of Karate-Do, from bowing, to kicking, punching and also basic partner work.

Through regular training, students will improve their balance, posture, self awareness, self confidence and self esteem. Parents and teachers continually report on the improvement in the behaviour of children who train regularly.

If your child is keen to give Karate a try then get in touch by emailing info@backwellkarate.org for more information or to enrol.

Press release: Sensei Matt Price coaches in North Somerset

2 November

Sensei Price explaining one of many drills at Scotch Horn Leisure Centre, Nailsea Nailsea & Backwell Karate practitioners were buzzing this weekend after a visit from European Shotokan Karate Champion Sensei Matt Price.

After a surprise appearance at the Backwell Karate dojo on Friday night, Price taught two seminars at Scotch Horn Leisure Centre in Nailsea where he shared both competition and traditional Karate techniques and drills that have not only taken him to a European title but have also seen him coach a new generation of champions to their own Euro titles in Italy earlier this year.

Saturday's lessons saw Nailsea & Backwell Karate members put through their paces with drills to improve punches, kicks, sweeps and submission techniques over the course of three hours.

Chief Instructor at both Nailsea & Backwell Karate, Tim Griffiths, said, "We are delighted to host guest instructors of the calibre of Sensei Price here in Nailsea as part of our strategy and ethos for continuous improvement for the area. The progress we've made as a club this year has been fantastic, having won medals at regional and national competitions and also having seen numerous outstanding performances at belt examinations.

"The instruction at special courses like this – along with the hard work and dedication from club members week in, week out – help us to keep improving. I’m really proud to be part of something that feels so special right now."

Karate is an excellent way to get fit at the same time as learning a skill that improves concentration and discipline. Nailsea & Backwell Karate are currently accepting new members.

Latest Kyu grading

17 June

Today's grading saw over 60 people decend on Sir Bernard Lovell Sports Centre in Bristol for a training session with Sensei Bob Poynton followed by a coloured belt grading.

This is the first grading since Nailsea Karate opened its doors so it was good to see the first of Nailsea's students join those from Backwell to make up a third of the attendees. The training session was a fun mix of basics for gradings and combinations to keep us on our toes!

Congratulations to all those who passed, especially for those that managed to double grade - an excellent standard and spirit from both Nailsea Karate and Backwell Karate members (full list in the Summer newsletter, due out shortly).

Easter training schedule

1 April

Please note that Easter Sunday is the only day we will not be training over the Easter school holidays. We will be training as normal on Good Friday and we have our special course with Sensei John Bruce and Sensei Holly Sterling on Saturday 7th (for details see news article below). We will be back to training as usual the following week.

PRESS RELEASE: Backwell Karate celebrate three dan grade passes

24 March

Left to right, Sensei Andy Sherry, Ian Connell, Devon Troskie, Steven Connell and Sensei Bob Poynton

Three local Karate practitioners reaped the rewards from putting in the hard yards as they all passed black belt 'dan grade' tests this weekend in Surrey.

Backwell resident Ian Connell was delighted to pass his black belt after years of hard training while Ian's son Steven and also Devon Troskie both passed the advanced 2nd Dan black belt examination.

The trio were put through their paces by Karate Union of Great Britain Chief Instructor Sensei Andy Sherry in exams which covered advanced combinations, kata (or forms) and free sparring before they were awarded their coveted grades in front of around 100 other Karate practitioners from across the southern region.

All three train at Backwell Karate where the team of instructors were all delighted at the outcome. National squad member and club instructor, Tim Griffiths, said, "What a day! Dan gradings are always very hard, so for three out of three club members to pass at the same time is especially pleasing! We're all really proud of Ian, Devon and Steven's achievements which are the result of their continued hard work and dedication."

The instructors from the club are launching the new Nailsea Karate dojo from Wednesday 11th April, where new members will be encouraged to follow in the footsteps of the Backwell trio. Classes are open to children and adults from 7 years upwards.

Next coloured belt grading date announced

16 February

The next Kyu grading is scheduled for Sunday 4th March at Sir Bernard Lovell School, Oldland Common, Bristol, BS30 8TS.

Prior to the grading, Sensei Bob Poynton (7th Dan, KUGB) will be taking an all-grades training session, which starts an hour later than normal at 12 noon. There will be no training in Backwell that morning. After training finishes at 1.30pm there will be a short break before the grading commences.

If you're not sure whether you'll be eligible to grade, please ask at your next training session.

England Kata Squad selections

4 February

KUGB Kata squad

On Saturday 4th February, the KUGB's England Kata squad selections took place at the famous Liverpool Red Triangle Karate Club, under the watchful eye of Chief Instructor Sensei Andy Sherry.

Sensei Tim Griffiths was once again selected for the England Squad. He was in good company - of the 23 selected there were at least four competitors who have previously won the KUGB National Championships and also placed at European and World Championships.

Tim is not only proud to be representing Backwell Karate but pleased that he can continue to train at the very highest level so he's able to pass on his knowledge to members of the club.

We look forward to this being the first of many highlights for the club in 2012!