News

July 2010

Hi Everyone,

We've had a busy time over the last couple of weeks and some fantastic results:

Canterbury Westlands.
18 Gold, 14 Silver, 7 Bronze from the 26 divisions entered. Waa hoo!

National championships – Porirua
5 Gold, 7 Silver, 7 Bronze from a team of 12. A fantastic effort from everyone! Congratulations especially to Sophie Savill, Adrianna Nicolaie, Caitlin Aldridge, Reid Edmond and Nadia Edmond who are national champions!

Detailed results of the competitions will be on the notice board this Tuesday and on the website at http://www.karatechristchurch.co.nz/results.php later in the week.

Grading:
Well done to everyone who graded at the end of last term. There were 76 students who graded in total. The fact we had 12 brown belts grading shows how much depth we have in the club. Special praise is due to Albi Anderson, Alex Cohen, Emma and Olivia Humphries who gained their Shodan (black belt). A fantastic achievement and well deserved!

AGM
The first AGM of the JKF Goju Kai NZ Assn was held after the grading and we were able to change the association rules so that we conform with the IRD's requirements for tax exemption. The committee for the next year is:

Chairman: Neil Edmond
Secretary: Monique Edmond
Treasurer: George Glausiuss
Committee: Jan Paterson, Kate Munro, Mike Richardson, Heather Cooper, Michelle Taylor, Dean Wiseman

If you have any questions, suggestions or would like to help, please contact any of the committee members or email info@karatechristchurch.co.nz

Chocolate Fundraiser
Thank you to everyone that has sold boxes so far. We've still got about 65 to go so please grab another one on your way out of the dojo at Tuam St. Reminder that every box sold goes into the draw for a quality collapsible scooter!

Club Movie Night - Karate Kid
Hoyts Northlands
3.30pm, Sunday 1 August

$15 pp. Proceeds go towards equipment etc for the club

Put your name on the board at Tuam st or email moniqueedmond@yahoo.com to reserve your seats. Seats are going quickly, so get onto it! It's a great opportunity to bring your friends and family too. Payment will be taken at the theatre so it's important you turn up if you've booked.

Grants
11 applications made to date with one successful so far: Pub Charity supplied $2,771.05 for equipment (gloves, shin guards and punch pads for Redcliffs and facemasks for club members competing in championships).
7 applications have been declined (5 insufficient funds, 2 not trading long enough)
3 applications decision pending.
We will persevere!

Otago Champs
With all the major competitions completed for the first half of the year it will be good to have something to aim for so we are looking at going to the Otago champs at Labour Weekend (either Cromwell or Queenstown). It's open to everyone so pencil it in your diary now and check the notice board for more information.

Term fees,
Due to lots of things happening such as the Nationals and a huge amount of study to complete before heading overseas I have as yet not completed the accounts. The good news on that front is the fees will stay the same for the rest of the year. Juniors are $130.00 Highschool is $140.00 and adults are $160.00 per term. The family discounts are the same also. Fees are due at the start of each term. (except the Medbury and Cathedral Grammar clubs and those on auto payement) It would be fantastic if you could sort out the fees as soon as possible please. The easiest method is by internet banking and the account number is 06 0583 0436411 00 If you still prefer to pay by cheque please give the cheque to the class coaches. Thanks for your help on this.

Have a great term everyone!

Regards,
Pat Sensei

June 2010

On 21-23 May we had our annual Training Camp at Glentui, near Oxford. As usual this was heaps of fun and everyone had a great time. It's an excellent opportunity to do some concerted training and for the kids and parents to get to know each other better outside of the dojo. Next year we will try again to secure funding for the camp, whether we are successful or not I encourage every student to attend as it is a highlight of the year.

Last Monday (Queens Birthday) we had some hardy members run a sausage sizzle at Bunnings, Tower Junction to raise funds for the club. It was a bleak, windy day and they had to stop the wind blowing the sausages around the hotplate! Despite this they managed to raise $287 for the club - a big thank you to Lisa Donelly for organising it and the Donellys, Taylors, Edmonds, Sensei Heather and Amanda Cooper-Davies for manning it. Next year we are booked in for the first weekend in March.

Lisa Donelly has also been busy organising the chocolate fundraising. By now many of you will have received your box of 24 bars from the dojo - we would like to have every student sell at least one box. Every box sold goes into the draw for a collapsible alloy Scooter worth $120. So get selling: Saturday sports games, parents work places, on the street, anywhere! The draw for the scooter will be made at the AGM which is after grading at 464 Tuam st on 27 June. You've got two weeks!

Speaking of the AGM, parents please put this in your diary to attend at 3pm. You will get to hear what the association is doing and what the money they are raising is going towards. We need to vote on a rule change to comply with the IRD's requirements for a tax exemption and we can't do this without the required number of people. You will not be given a job on the committee (unless you'd like one :)) so please be there.

Also coming up are the Canterbury Westlands on 20 June at the Bishopdale YMCA, and the National Championships in Porirua 10,11 July. If you haven't put your entry in yet you had better get cracking! Close off dates are ................We will have strong teams at both events and would like to see as many of our members participating as possible. Especially at the Canterbury Westlands: I encourage all students to give them a go, no matter how long they have been learning. Competitions are a way of bringing out the best in yourself and there is a great sense of satisfaction afterwards that comes from overcoming the nervousness before.

There will be extra training sessions for participants (at no cost) at the Honbu (464 Tuam) this Sunday at 10am and on Sunday 4 July at 10am. The Senseis are volunteering their time to take this so the students can be well prepared, so please make an effort to be there.

All the best to the competitors and happy training everyone!

Regards,
Pat Sensei

26 April 2010

Hi Everyone,

Wow, what a busy month we've had!

First of all the club championships which had a great turn out and a good standard. Congratulations to all those who won medals and especially to all those who were competing for the first time. It can be a bit scary when it's your first competition but you all did really well and I'm proud of you for giving it a go. Click here for the results.

Next we had the term 1 Grading - 86 students graded which I think is a record number for the club. The senior students did their dan grading in front of Senseis Tanaka, Horiuchi (Japan), Sanny Yap, Meng Seah (Singapore) and Pat McGregor. Congratulations to Dave Garlic on gaining his Shodan (black belt) and to everyone else who graded.

Then there was the Opening Ceremony for the Honbu and the Club Dinner at Annies Winebar and Restaurant. These were both well attended. The Senseis from Japan and Singapore all enjoyed their visit. In particular Horiuchi Sensei said the opening ceremony was a very memorable occasion and he has asked me to pass on his thanks to all the members of the club. A big thank you to the committee members who organised the opening and also to Amanda Cooper-Davies for donating the gift packs for the Senseis.

We had a very successful competition at the New Zealand Karate Open, with 28 club members competing and 13 of them winning medals! This shows the standard of the club is very high and our students are among the best in the country. The club's results are on the website. You can also view/buy photos of our members competing and also at the grading training at www.minkspix.co.nz. The cost is only $6.00 for a 6" x 4".

The fund raising for the association is under way with the Easi Order program netting about $250. This would have been much higher if more members and students had got involved. A big thanks to Alex, Lois and Mark Cohen who sold by far the most product. Next time we will reduce the number of products to make it easier for people to distribute. Keep an eye out for the chocolate fundraiser and our fundraising BBQ at Bunnings Tower Junction on 25 June (Queens Birthday weekend). Remember, all the money we raise goes back into equipment and opportunities for the students. The more people get involved, the easier it is and the more opportunities we can provide.

On the subject of fundraising I want to thank one of the parents who made a generous donation to the association. We have a list of equipment, facilities and competitions we are trying to raise money for and this donation will help towards them. If anyone else would like to make a donation please contact the Treasurer, George Glausiuss, at gagman2000@hotmail.com

George has another request: he needs the association's accounts audited by a chartered accountant, does anyone know of someone that might be happy to help with this? The accounts are basic accounts and George doesn't expect they will take long to audit.

Finally, here is the next update of the calendar. We have to fit in a club awards function and some other special training but I will advise you of those nearer the time.

21-23 May Training Camp, Glentui
7 June Fundraising BBQ, Bunnings, Tower Junction
20 June Canterbury Westlands, Christchurch
26 June Grading Training
27 June Grading
10,11 July National Championships, Wellington
12,13 July National Training, Wellington
18 September Grading Training
19 September Grading
11 December Grading Training
12 December Grading

It is so heartening for me to see the students going so well. The club is in good shape and we will continue to grow stronger with the commitment from the students and the support of the association committee and the parents. Thank you to all of you!

Happy training,

Regards,
Pat Sensei

3 March 2010

Hi Everyone, there is lots coming up over the next couple of months:

Fund Raising
By now you all should have received the order forms from me/ your children for Easy Order. If you haven't you can pick them up at the Honbu. Please make a big effort to sell as many pizza's, pies, biscuits, etc as you can to your family, friends, workmates, neighbors and other sports teams. All orders are to be completed by 18 March with the money and order form back to me. Make cheques payable to JFK Goju-Kai NZ Inc and be at the Honbu (464 Tuam st) to collect your goods on 24 March between 5:30 pm and 6:30 pm. Any queries please contact Lisa Donelly on 021-151-3707.

On Saturday 20th March some students will be performing half hour karate demonstrations at 11.00 am and 1.30 pm. at South City Shopping Centre. In between they will be handing out club pamphlets and selling finger lights and glow sticks. We would also like to run a raffle, if you are able to donate anything for a prize (perhaps products or a service from your work) please contact Lisa.

Club Championships
These will be held on Sunday 21st March at the Lyttelton Community Centre. NOT this weekend as earmarked on the website. It is a great opportunity for everyone in the club to have a go in a competition. It is an especially good opportunity for the younger students to get some experience and confidence in competing so I strongly urge everyone to have a go. Entry forms are being sent home with the students this week.

Honbu Opening Celebrations
We are very pleased to confirm both Tanaka and Horiuchi Senseis are coming out from Japan for the opening. They are 7th dan and 8th dan respectively and two of the senior senseis for Goju Kai Karate in Japan. It is indeed an honor that they have accepted our invitation to attend our celebrations. They are bringing several competitors with them for the New Zealand open and we expect a number of senseis to be joining us from Singapore as well. We should feel very proud our club is held in such high esteem. The program for their visit is as follows:

Thursday 8th April 1.30pm – 3.00 pm Junior training with Tanaka and Horiuchi Sensei
3.30pm – 5.30pm Adult and advanced junior training
6pm Official Opening of Dojo with drinks and food
Friday 9th April 9am – 1pm Kata seminar. Adults and junior brown belt and above
2pm – 5pm Dan testing
Sat/ Sun 10/11 April NZ Open Championships
Monday 12th April Club dinner at Annies Wine Bar 7pm
Mon/ Tues 12/13 April National training camp, Christ's College

More details of these events will be sent out nearer the time.

A Reminder About the Association Membership Fees
The JKF Goju Kai Karate-Do NZ Association's goal is to provide facilities and equipment for the club and enable students to travel to competitions and training events. It is important for the club that the association is well supported so I am making it compulsory for all my students to belong to the association. Membership for students is only $20 p.a. Parents are encouraged to join as well ($25 p.a) as this helps the association financially and gives them voting rights at general meetings. If you haven't joined yet forms are available at the Honbu. Membership and fees must be paid by 31 March. After that I'll tell the senseis where you live!

Pat Sensei

27 January 2010

Happy New Year! I trust you all had a good break over the holidays and are looking forward to getting back into your karate.

Classes for adults have already started and there was intensive training for some children last week. Regular classes for children recommence on Monday 1 February.

Well done to all those who participated in the grading at the end of last year, you can see the results on the website at www.karatechristchurch.co.nz A special congratulations to Corky Hohepa who achieved Shodan and Sempai Heather Cooper who gained NiDan. This is just reward for all their hard work and training.

While you are on the website check out the gallery – there are now many photos from the very early days right up to the last grading. If you have photos you would like to contribute please send them to neil@neiledmond.co.nz You might also want to check out the instructors section to find out more about them.

In December a group of the club's instructors and parents formed an association with a view to promoting the teaching and practice of Goju Kai style of karate in New Zealand. Called the JKF Goju Kai Karate-Do NZ Association, it's main role will be to apply for grants and conduct fund raising to provide facilities and equipment for the club and enable students to travel to competitions and training events.

It will be compulsory for all my students to belong to the association as it is the students that will derive all the benefits of the association's activities. Membership for students is only $20 p.a. Parents are encouraged to join as well ($25 p.a) as this helps the association financially and gives them voting rights at general meetings. You will be given membership forms along with the invoice for your term fees next week.

The Association is currently being managed by the following people:
Chairman Neil Edmond
Secretary Monique Edmond
Treasurer George Glausiuss
Committee Heather Cooper
Lisa Cole
Jan Patterson

Feel free to contact any of them if you have any questions. Formal elections will be held in July but if you would like to help out on the committee before then, please contact Neil or Monique Edmond at 355 2328.

This will be an exciting year, with the formal opening of the new Honbu in April, the visit of Sensei Horiuchi from Japan and a number of very promising youngsters coming up through our ranks.

I look forward to seeing you all at training!

Pat Sensei

26 October 2009

The big day is here! The new headquarters of the club at 464 Tuam St are finished and tomorrow we will hold the first classes!

From now on all training that used to be at the Y.M.C.A and all grading weekends will be held at the new Honbu (H.Q.) THERE ARE NO MORE CLASSES AT THE YMCA.

With the move there are some small changes to the timetable for the Honbu classes (Lyttelton, Redcliffs, Medbury and Cathedral Grammer stay the same). Thursday's junior advanced class is now 5.30 – 6.30pm, the adult kata class is now 6.30 – 8.00pm.

A big thank you to all those who helped put down the floor and transfer the equipment and mirrors from the YMCA to the new dojo. It is gratifying and humbling to me that so many people offered to help. It is a sign of a strong club that many people want to be involved.

Another big job we did was water blast all the mats. This took 6 hours! Please ensure you wear shoes on your way to training so we don't have dirty feet on the mats.

How do you like the new website? If you have any photos you think people would like to see in the Gallery, please send them to neil@neiledmond.co.nz

With the new space there is room for more students so if you know of someone you think would enjoy karate, point them towards the website or get them to get in touch with Pat Sensei gojupaddy@xtra.co.nz Men, women, boys, girls – karate is for everybody!

12 October 2009

It is the start of a new term and I have some exciting news for you… in 2 weeks time we will be moving the headquarters of the club to our new premises at 464 Tuam St (East of Fitzgerald Ave next to Sheppard and Kime). The reason for the move is because of new developments at the YMCA which do not suit us. The new dojo is being purpose built with a larger training area, waiting room, office, toilet and changing rooms ALL ON THE GROUND FLOOR.

There is much labour to be done in the interim. At this time the area looks like a bomb site but we are making good progress. We will have a working bee on the weekend of 17th and 18th of October which will include putting down the new floor, installing mirrors and of course moving our gear out of the YMCA. If you can help please contact Pat on 3288333 or 0272418011 or email gojupaddy@xtra.co.nz. Old proverb many hands make light work.

There will be an official opening in the New Year and we are looking at having my teacher Horiuchi Sensei and hopefully Tanaka and Maekawa Sensei all out from Japan for this occasion. We will look at having training sessions with these fantastic people and possibly a club tournament. There is much planning to be done. It is very very exciting!

Classes resume this Monday 12th October, for the first two weeks the timetable is the same as last term. From Tuesday 27th October all training that used to be at the Y.M.C.A and all grading weekends will be held at the new Honbu (H.Q.) Dojo. There will be some small changes to the timetable which I will let you know about.

Dates for this term are:
12 October Term Starts
17/18 October Working Bee
25 October Otago Southland Champs Cromwell
26 October Labour day (no training)
27 October First training at new Honbu 464 Tuam St
7 November Ashburton Open
12/13 December Final grading weekend for the year

I encourage all students to participate in the competitions – it is through competition you test yourself and grow as a karateka (karate student).

Well done to those who participated in the intensive training last week. Miki Sensei who took the Japanese language and games sure was a hit. We have a new website coming and will put some photos on there for you to see.

Pat Sensei