June Newsletter
Leadership News
June 2008.
Forthcoming Events @ BC
8th June ((Sunday) 8-45 am P.O.W.E.R. seminar Clean Language. This does not simply mean avoiding swear words, it means ‘cleaning’ your language because the voice you listen to most, is your own.
8th June (Sunday )10 – 11.30am Kata class
14th June (Saturday )12.30 till 1.30pm XMA Gymnastics at Bull Close.
14th June (Saturday) 2pm. Sparring Seminar with Master Vince
Kickboxing Tournament.
There is a semi-contact Kickboxing tournament at Thurton (near Bury St Edmunds) on Sunday 13th July. Anyone wishing to take part must give Mr Wigley or Mr Fitch their name, height, weight, age, experience AND entry fee of £10 before June 8th. Summer School
Exciting news, this summer (during the holidays) we will be holding a ‘Summer School.’ This will be for most of the day each weekday (probably about 9am until 4pm) . We will have loads of interesting, fun, educational and informative things going on and, of course, some Taekwondo each day. One of the ideas behind this project is to help working parents, those people that would otherwise have to find expensive childcare for the holidays.
Obviously there will be a maximum number so, if you may be interested, please let us know a.s.a.p.
There will be more details available soon.
Character Building
One of the main reasons that our Academy is so successful is that we focus on developing positive character traits as well as physical abilities. By the time our junior students reach Junior Black Belt grade, they will have had lots of input from the instructors regarding behaviour, the way they treat other people, their confidence levels and much more.
One of our KEY TOOLS in putting across some aspect of character development is the monthly STAR sheet.
Every month there is an activity and a task (or tasks) that need to be completed.
ALL of these tasks (there are 12 in total) MUST be completed before a student can pass their Junior Black Belt.
Please don’t let yourself get behind with these tasks.
EKKA National Championships
At the prestigious EKKA National Championships, the Black Belt Academy came away with a very impressive haul of medals. There are several associations within the UK teaching Martial Arts and promoting competitive Karate and Kickboxing. The EKKA has, for the last 4 years won more medals at the British Open Championships than any other association. This, in itself, confirms that the EKKA National Championships are the most hotly contested of all association championships within the UK.
We took along 5 competitors and four of them came home with medals. In the adult Kata (form/style) section Kyle Ward (2nd Dan) was narrowly beaten into second place by a very experienced 4th Dan competitor from Ipswich. In the Junior Kata Jack Wright was placed third.
In the fighting sections Harry Meeks missed reaching the semi finals of the 4 foot 8 inches to 5 foot 2 inches section by just one point. Curtis Taplin fought courageously against taller and heavier opponents to win a bronze in the cadet (16 to 18 years) section. Tom Vince also fought well but lost in his semi final to take bronze. The result of the day however was produced by young Jack Wright who won the under 4 foot 8 inch section in style, making him EKKA National Champion 2008.
Sport Karate is probably the safest combat sport in the World with rules designed to tests competitors’ skill, speed, agility and responsiveness rather than their toughness. It could be likened to fencing without swords.
JOKE:
Whats orange and sounds like a parrot?
A carrot.
Time to Show off.
We have some demos at school/village fetes coming up soon. If you would like to be involved, keep your eye on the notice board at Bull Close for details.
We are also considering a ‘once a month’ demo team session, please let Mr Fitch know if you would be interested in this.
The Thinking Part
I thought I would give you a break from my ramblings this month, here is something from my collection at home.
Because I Was Told I Can
About 6 months ago, I joined a gym. Every morning, there is one personal trainer there that works out at the same time that my little group does our workout. He does his "routine" with such a quiet determination that he makes it all look very easy; although I know all too well how hard he is working. When I am tempted to whine and quit, I watch him push himself to his own limits, and I find myself motivated to work as hard and without complaint.
A couple of weeks ago, I was watching him do chin ups. He made them look effortless. I broke away from my group and asked him if I could try a chin up. I had never tried before, but he just made it look so easy. He eagerly stepped aside and encouraged me to step up to the bar. I pulled myself up without thinking...once...then twice. That was all I had in me, I had no strength left. I told him that was all I had, so he stepped up behind me and pushed me up for a third and fourth "pull." It felt so good. I felt strong and I smiled from ear to ear.
The next day when I was done my workout, I asked him to spot me again. Again, I did two. Again on day three and so on. I thought it was pathetic that I could only do two, but when I came to the gym at the end of the week, he was standing there just shaking his head. When I asked him what was up, he said he was impressed with my chin ups. He told me that when they are training firefighters, the men are required to do 5 chin ups, and women are required to do 1 or 2. He explained that most people can't do them at all, and that he was impressed that I could. He further told me that if I practiced every day, I would be doing 5 or 6 in no time. At this point I should probably add that I am 50 years old...and female.
The moral of this story...because I didn't know any better, because he told me I could, I saw no reason to doubt. I just jumped in and gave it a try - and I did it! I didn't see it as a great accomplishment, because I didn't realize that it was difficult and it became my goal to get stronger. No one told me I couldn't do it, in fact, I was encouraged to try. Had he told me initially how difficult it was, I more than likely would not have tried at all. Or I might have tried, but given it only half an effort, because failure would have been the expectation. I applaud him for letting me believe that for me, it was not only a possibility, but that success was a realistic expectation.
How many times have we decided not to try at all because we were told that we couldn't, that we shouldn't, that we had expectations that were too ambitious? How many times have we told our children, our friends and our co-workers that they couldn't do something; that their ideas were impossible or beyond reach? How many times have we told ourselves that we would fail before we even started?
A Massive
THANK YOU
I would like to thank the many students who have introduced their friends to our Academy over the last couple of months. We have had lots of new members brought in by our existing students. This is the most sincere compliment that you could pay to me and the instructor team.
The fact that you enjoy your time at the Academy enough to want to tell your friends about it and recommend them to us is just fantastic.
Thanks again and remember, I will be paying for your grading this time as a show of my appreciation.
Beginners Class
for the OVER 40s.
We have had several ‘mature’ students start Martial Arts recently and I really believe that Taekwondo is the perfect thing to take up at this stage of life. You are probably more settled, probably have more time in the evenings, probably have more disposable income and you will definitely want to fight the tell tale signs of the passing years ( I can say that as I’m 47). SO, why not get yourself into shape with this new beginners group. It starts on Wednesday 2nd July at 7.30pm.
Grading Dates
Tuesday 24th June, Diss TKD at Diss High School 5.30pm start.
Tuesday 24th June, Norwich Kickboxing at BC, 8.30pm start.
Wednesday 25th June, Norwich TKD juniors at BC, 5pm start.
Thursday 26th June, Norwich TKD adults and families, 6pm start.
Friday 27th June, Harleston Kama assessment, 5pm start.
Friday 27th June, Harleston TKD (everyone), 6pm start.
Helping People Close To Us
Interior and Exterior Painting Service.
As you have probably noticed, I am more than happy to promote the business of anyone who is an Academy member. This month I am pleased to announce that;
Bob Day ( Sam and Jacks Dad) offers an interior/exterior painting service. He is happy to quote for; Internal work, external work including; summer houses, fences, windows and doors etc.
All his work is fully insured.
Call Bob for a free quote on
01508 473071or
Mobile: 07942 443859.
Stay Healthy
When You Travel.
When you travel it is important to understand the potential risks and dangers of the area you are visiting. One of our newest members Sarah Buckley, runs ‘The Globe Travel Health Centre in Norwich.
She can offer free advice as well as all the injections, tablets and sprays you may need when you visit exciting new places. Contact her on
01603- 667323
For free advice.
