NOVEMBER UPDATE.

1: THE RETURN OF COMPETITIONS!
2: LATE GRADING INFO

RETURN TO COMPETITIONS
For the first time in almost two years, we sent a squad to a competition!
On 21st November Neath Sports Centre was the venue for two competitions in one…

For ten years, The Welsh Karate League (WKL) has staged several competitions a year, tied together with a points ranking system.

At each tournament medals are won in each of almost sixty categories, with the points being accumulated, so that at the end of each season, each category has a Champion of Champions!

The finale of the 2019-20 season was scheduled for 15th March 2020… But as we now know; lockdown intervened and the trophies and medals were put into storage.

November 2021 was the first time it was safe to return to the tatami, but as all children had moved up an age bracket or two, the return had logistical obstacles to overcome.

It was decided therefore to have two events side by side, The Trophy race for those in the running for a Champion of Champions trophy and a stand-alone competition, the WKL Classic.

The Classic was a smaller affair than a regular WKL event, with 34 categories, but the training our students have done throughout Lockdown and back in the dojo in more recent months, paid off big-time as we won almost half the events on offer!!
As we’ve grown accustomed to over the last two decades (Yes, we’ve been by far the most successful club in Wales for twenty years!) we were once again top of the medal table with more than twice as many titles won (fifteen) as our nearest rivals.

for a look at the medallists at the WKL classic go to: http://result.karateleague.wales

At the Trophy Race, Vale karate were pipped by Akai Ryuu, to take second place in the ‘Club Championship’ decided by the WKL Medal table over the entire season.
Vale Karate won the Club Championship for seven straight seasons (since we joined the WKL in 2011) but have now been second for two seasons, let’s make sure we return to the top in 2022!!

The 2022 season will begin in February.

As well as a Club Championship, there’s an Individual Champion of Champions crowned every season, The 2019-20 award went to our own European Champion Jakob Bartush.

Go to our Gallery of ‘Trophy Race’ images at the bottom of the page.

The next competition is the ‘Karate Wales Closed’ Championships, in nearby Cogan Leisure Centre on Sunday 23rd January. I’lll be taking names for this when we return to training in January.
Let’s get a big squad there!

LATE GRADING FOR TIGERS AND CHILDREN OF RED STRIPE.
LATE CHILDREN’S GRADING
ADULT KYU GRADING,
ADVANCED GRADING.

For those who didn’t grade in October, and are ready to progress, and for Adults from Beginner-Purple Belt, all Brown Belts and Temporary Dan Grades, there will be a grading on Saturday December 11th.

All students who wish to attempt this grading need to apply to Sensei Rob via WhatsApp and book a 1:1 assessment asap. The 20 minute assessment will cost £12, If the assessment is passed, the fee should be transferred PLEASE DO NOT TRANSFER THE FEE UNTIL AFTER ASSESSMENT.

1:1 Assessments can be booked (subject to availability) before weekday classes, so from 3.40pm or on Sunday 5th December from 10am

PLEASE NOTE: Provisional Dan Grades do not need to book an assessment, but should register their intention to attempt the full Dan Grading.

GRADING FEES:
TIGERS (4-6 years) £21
CHILDREN & ADULTS UP TO AND INCLUDING PURPLE BELT 5th KYU: £26
BROWN BELTS £31
DAN GRADING £41
For those of Provisional Dan Grade, £10 (as Dan Grading fee was paid previously)

THE FINALE TO THE 2019-20 SEASON. THE TROPHY RACE. GALLERY OF WINNERS

REVISION TO THE TIMETABLE OF CLASSES

Many of my students will be aware of the large number of children who turned up for this Wednesday’s (10th November) Junior Fighting Fit class.

As we have lot of members, but a small dojo, I have to carefully manage classes, and I have to address the issue of the Wednesday Junior Fighting Fit class, which this week was too busy!

So; from Wednesday 17th November, there will be changes made to the timetable, which hopefully will not inconvenience anyone, but will benefit all children. see TIMETABLE AT BOTTOM OF PAGE

Wednesdays will be Fighting Fit evenings, with Junior Novices at 5pm, Junior Advanced at 6pm and Adults at 7pm.

For those not familiar with these classes, they’re classes which focus on agility, flexibility, general fitness and of course Sparring. Therefore all who attend should have a gum shield and a pair of Karate sparring mitts. (As we can’t share mitts these days) We have a limited number of mitts and Gumshields for sale.

Junior novice means Beginner-Purple Belt 4th Kyu, Advanced means Black & Brown Belts.

Sparring is an important aspect of Karate and I would encourage ALL CHILDREN from six, to have a go at these classes!

ALSO PLEASE NOTE: Club night will now be an evening of Basics, Kata and Fighting Fit! 

I again would encourage ALL members to attend Fridays Club Night, a class for everyone! And bring your Gumshield and mitts to class!

All Junior Black and Brown Belts should take their mitts and Gumshield to all classes (except Kata Classes) 

THE NEW TERM

As we embark on a new term, there are a few things for all members to be aware of.

TIMETABLE Our Winter timetable which commences on Monday November 1st can be viewed at https://www.valekarate.com/class-timetable Please make sure you’re aware of your class times!

CLASS DURATION AND COST Tigers and Beginner/Yellow Belt classes remain at 45mins, and £5 per class.
All other classes are of an hour’s duration and cost £6. New Red Belts should take note.

FEES All members should be aware that there is the option of paying for classes in advance with a Monthly fee.
This is available for all students of Red Belts and above (no saving for Tigers or Beginners/Yellow Belts) which can save you a lot of money if you regularly train twice or more a week, but comes with an obligation to pay the fee every month, including when there are less classes available. This should be considered before opting to pay monthly. 1:1s are not included in Monthly fees.

An individual pays £40 a month in the first week of each month. A family of two: £60, a family of three or more £70.

If a member is paying the monthly fee but circumstances change, so it is no longer a money-saver, reverting to pay-as-you-go is no problem. Once the scheme is left, it cannot be rejoined without discussion. Just contact Sensei Rob.

1:1 Sessions can be booked (if available) by messaging Sensei Rob. 1:1 sessions can be hugely beneficial and cost £12 per 20 minute slot.
A block booking of a 1:1 once a week every week for a month (or longer) costs £10 per session.

Fighting Fit Classes take place twice a week for children, once a week for adults. Mitts and Gum-shield are necessary, as sparring is involved as well as fitness, and agility training. Karate sparring is light and controlled, but the safety equipment mentioned is necessary, as contact can and often does take place.

Dan Grading Class will take place on Friday’s at 6pm. This is for 1st Kyu’s and temporary Dan Grades in preparation for the full Dan Grading. All are expected to train at every Dan Grading session in order to prepare for the Dan Grading.

Competitions As we return to normal, the option of attending competitions is once again possible.

Unless restrictions force a last minute change of plans… We will be attending the WKL Classic in Neath on November 21st.

There are less categories than usual, as the competition will not start until 12pm at the earliest as the morning will be devoted to the ‘Unfinished Business’ of the 2019-20 season. (only those who are in line for a trophy should attend the morning event) go to https://www.karateleague.wales to see the poster, and contact Sensei Rob to enter. The entry fee is £15 for individual Kata and Kumite, £12 for Jukuren.

We would encourage our newer younger members to consider having a go!