More information about intensive training with the GB Kendo Squad

Just to give you a little more information about Squad Training. Our old friend Daniel Antoni, now resident in Japan went to a couple of squad practices. You can read about his efforts on the Kobudokan Kendo Club forum. There's clear indication of how a session runs so forewarned is forearmed.

Additionally The Kendo Hypochondriac Blog also features a short report from the last squad training in Cardiff, you should be plugging that into your RSS readers as it's an interesting read from 'one of us' a 2nd Dan kendoka who's occasionally injured and is beset by the typical kendo concerns we all have.

And just to remind you, where, when and how much it is.

Hope Park Sports Hall, Liverpool Hope University, Taggart Avenue, Liverpool, L16 9JD
Saturday 20th 14:30 - 18:00
Sunday 21st 09:30 - 13:00
Each session costs £5.

PS don't forget to be on time tonight.

Intensive Training with the GB Kendo Squad

If you were unaware the GB Kendo Squad holds regular monthly training sessions, they are open to all BKA Kendo members. One goal of these sessions is to build a pool of talent from which the Great British Kendo Team will eventually be selected. In order to become a GB Kendo Team member, you must  be committed and demonstrate that you will make a consistent contribution to the BKA and the GB Kendo Squad. Joe has been attending these sessions regularly and his progress not only shows in the dojo but he has come close to being included in the team.

This weekend Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st August, Intensive training takes place here in Liverpool. They will be using the same venue as we did when holding the Kyusha Taikia:

Hope Park Sports Hall, Liverpool Hope University, Taggart Avenue, Liverpool, L16 9JD
Saturday 20th 14:30 - 18:00
Sunday 21st 09:30 - 13:00

Each session costs £5, so it's great value for money, three and a half hours of kendo with Britains strongest competetive kendoka under the watchful eye of the Squad coach. This is an event not to be missed as it is highly unlikely to return to Liverpool, but looks set to move to Wolverhampton, so if you get a taste for it this weekend you won't have to go to the ends of the Earth to show you're interested.

Rest assured though, this will be a hard practice, Joe has described it as 'relentless'. If you are up for the challenge you must remember you are joining practice with the GB Squad and it is your responsibility to do your best to improve their kendo as well as your own, they are not there to 'hold your hand'. Therefore if you want to participate please feel free to take advantage of this opportunity. Come with a strong fighting spirit to do your best and learn with the best. Equally if you are not in armour and wish to come along to watch you are more than welcoem to do so to learn what goes on and what it takes to be a squad member.

We shall overcome!

Thanks go out to those who were at practice last night. Unsurprisingly the dojo was not stormed by the disaffected youth of Merseyside on the hunt for large screen TV's, iPhones, and booze. Although it might have been fun if they had... Sensei was grateful for your attendance and efforts and has asked to remind folk that Kata is on Monday. A reminder has gone up on the Liverpool Kendo Google Calendar  and another one will go up afterwards to let you know there is no kata on the 29th as it's a Bank Holiday, if I do it now you'll only get confused.

Additionally I'll be adding a bit more information over the next week about the intensive GB Squad training course being held on the Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st of August at Hope University, where we had the Kyusha Taikai. Hopefully everyone will be able to attend but I just want to clarify details.

Training still on tonight

I contacted both Sensei and they are keen not to let the current disturbances disrupt practices and are confident that the situation was in hand last night and will probably remain so, particularly with the weather being so miserable.

You are however advised to take care and travel with plenty of time to ensure any possible diversions can be negotiated. If you feel there is still risk in attending then please find a way to let us know if you are not coming so we can begin on time and also that we are not concerned for your arrival. Forums, Facebook, email, text, these are all useful ways to convey this.

The Northern Open / The Komatsu Cup

Good luck to the two teams we are sending to The Northern Open / The Komatsu Cup this weekend. Hopefully you'll get some good experiences in Gateshead and show good fighting spirit on behalf of your club.

Hopefully Joe shoud be keeping me informed over the day so I can post updates online.

Ganbatte - Do your best!

Grading Success

Congrats to Geunsu Lee for passing his Nidan test at the Stoke grading this weekend. Nearly a year ago to the day he passed Shodan! So that shows that you can work hard and grade up to the next level within the minimum time frames set out by the BKA. Hopefully he'll have some information abut the weekend and how it went when next we meet.

Oh, and it transpires that Mark Welsh, regular visitor from York Kendo Club, also passed Nidan so we look forward to his next visit with great anticioation.
Next step on the ladder, back to square one.

Last Night's Visitor

Thanks go out to Sensei Mark Needham [5th dan] who came to practice last night. Needham Sensei runs the Bolton Kendo Club which practices on a Sunday between 10am and 12pm. His instruction is extremely valuable to us.

As a kyu grade he came 2nd in the Kyusha Taikai in 1995. Today he represents one of the highest grades in the North of England, so it's a lesson to us that with time, practice and effort we could all reach his level. Hopefully everyone got to take away some advice from Needham Sensei whatever he had to say to you please take time to focus on it at your next practice.

A number of Liverpool members regularly travel to Bolton to practice. If you wish to attend ask around, there may be a lift available, however please check with Sensei beforehand if this is OK. Sometimes it can be detrimental in the beginning of your kendo training to take instruction from too many instructors, Sensei will know best regarding your ability.