Vale Karate News
Vale Karate captured six Karate Wales ‘Closed’ titles on Sunday April 10th.
Well done to all medallists and those who were unsuccessful this time.
Also a Big Thank you to our officials who helped make the day run very, very smoothly!
Cathy, Doru, Kee, Jenny & Mei and our Coaches; Leah, Helen, Mark & Ella.
Well Done Everyone!
As the Welsh Government eases Covid restrictions, from Monday January 31st, Once again we can offer our members optimum training opportunities, with classes six days a week, offering our Tigers (4-6 years-olds) two classes a week, Junior Beginners three classes and everyone else at least four classes!!
Younger teenagers can again train in the Junior classes and Adults can train without pre-booking and with no cap on numbers!
AT LAST!!!
Due to the new omicron variant of Covid-19, once again we are under restrictions as we start 2022.
Below are the measures being taken by us at Vale Karate, in compliance with Welsh Government and Karate Wales guidelines, to see us safely through these times.
As all classes will take place in the dojo, which as you know is small, we need to be very disciplined in our approach.
Adults; please take a lateral flow test before coming to classes. This is in compliance of Welsh Government advice; Flow-before-you-go.
No one, adult or Junior, should attend classes if they have symptoms of a cold or flu.
Even if due to a mild cold, coughing or sneezing in the dojo would make everyone nervous! So if you/ your child is coughing or sneezing; Stay at home until symptoms ease.
There are no restrictions on children of Eleven Years and below, so all children’s classes will go ahead without restrictions
However we can have No Spectators until social distancing eases.
All children of twelve years and above will need to train in the adult classes and all adults and children of twelve plus will need to book a slot in the classes in advance as I will be limiting ‘adult’ classes to six.
You will see from the new January timetable that I’ve added classes to cope with these restrictions.
Kumite will continue for children of Eleven years and below, but no Kumite for 12 years plus, and no sharing of equipment means our adult fighting fit classes will be suspended until further notice.
I will sanitise all equipment that children may share, between classes.
Everyone, of all ages will sanitise their hands before entering the dojo.
For the parents of our younger members; please ensure your child’s toileting needs are met before class!!
For the peace of mind of the parents of our younger members, I’m considering filming the Tigers and Beginner/Yellow Belt classes and posting via Facebook Live.
If any parent of these children object, please let me know asap.
I’ll still be taking Beginners, in 1:1 sessions, I asked all members to share the promotional video I posted on Facebook and YouTube, I’ve had 32 shares on Facebook to date, which I really appreciate… but a few more ‘shares’ would be great!
As soon as these restrictions are eased, I’ll be contacting you (and maybe throw a party…!)
To say it’s been another strange year is an understatement!
However In recent months a sense of normality returned, as we returned to the dojo without restrictions, and even managed to conduct a full Dan Grading with Kumite included!
We combined the Advanced Grading in December with a late grading for those not ready in the Summer and congratulations go to Amie who graded to Shodan, Greg who after 12 years training, since was a very small boy, awarded his adult shodan, and also two junior Shodan’s Mayzi and Emerson.
With the prospect of restrictions once again looming, we decided against a presentation evening, as this would bring a large number of people into the Leisure Centre at the same time, so we presented the new belts at a staggered photoshoot in the dojo instead.
Fingers crossed that we can return to the dojo early in the New year…
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
