All posts by Cailey Whitcher

Blog, News

Clubs hold kata competition in memory of Lorna

On Sunday 19th December the SSKA clubs of Berkshire and Hampshire held a kata competition at Queens Anne’s School in Reading.

The purpose of the day was to remember one of our instructors at Caversham, Sensei Lorna Webber who sadly passed away in 2021.

In addition participants honoured her karate career with high quality performances in Lorna’s favourite discipline of kata.

The event was officiated by our Chief Instructor, Sensei Cole, Assistant Chief Instructor, Sensei Lewis with Senior Instructor assistance from Sensei Ridgeway and Sensei Thomas.

It really was an amazing day with some outstanding performances. All of which were conducted in the true spirit of karate demonstrating – respect and integrity for our art and fellow karateka.

All proceeds for the day are to be donated to charity – in this case Great Ormond’s Street Hospital.

While winning trophies is a physical reward, we should not forget the following quote from the founder of our Shotokan style.

“The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory nor defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants”

– Gichin Funakoshi

In this context there were no winners or losers with all karateka benefitting from the interaction, learning and experience provided by the cause, events and competitive nature of the day.

There can be no doubt that the participants, spectators and officials on Sunday demonstrated clear focus and fulfilled this aim.

On behalf of the SSKA I would like to thank all of you who gave up your time to compete in very uncertain times, and also to those who couldn’t make the day but nonetheless donated to the cause. Your help and friendship is invaluable.

Gary Leyshon

Senior Instructor – SSKA

News

Final Grading of the year

If you missed the gradings this year so far you can still grade on the last Kyu grading of 2021 at Salisbury on Saturday 18th December.

Lesson is 3pm to 4pm gradings start 4pm. This course is also a black and brown belt course centre so will count towards one of your ones to take you Dan grade and you can have your card signed.

You must let Sensei Cole (sska595@gmail.com) know what belt and size you want and the grade you are going for as soon as possible so we can have it ready on the day. You can pay cash on the day of the grading.

News

Sad news

“It is with a heavy heart that I have to inform you of the passing of one of our colleagues,  Sensei Lorna Webber of Caversham Club who passed away peacefully at home on Saturday evening, 31st July. There are no further details at this moment. I will let you know additional information regarding funeral arrangements etc as and when they become available.
This is very sad news for the SSKA and in particular those of us at Caversham and Wokingham clubs whose lives Lorna touched personally. RIP my dear friend.”
Sensei Gary Leyshon
Lorna Webber, Caversham Club
News

July Kyu and Dan Gradings

July Kyu and Dan Gradings details:-
Venues
Woodley Sunday 4th July
Woodford Park Leisure Centre, Haddon Drive, Woodley, Reading RG5 4LY
Swindon Sunday 11th July
Grange Leisure Centre, Grange Dr, Swindon SN3 4JY
Procedure for all grades.
Both Juniors and Seniors please arrive between 9.00 -9.30am for a lesson 9.30 -11.00am.  Gradings will begin at 11.15am.
Kyu Gradings
Please note for any Kyu grades wishing to double or triple grade, this will take place during the Kyu gradings on the day.
Dan Gradings
Will take place once Kyu gradings are complete.
Retaking your Grade
For those wishing to retake their grade, this will be possible after some extra training on the day.
Costs
1.  Beginner and Kyu grades Lesson fee is £14.50pp.
2.  Brown and Black belts who wish to have their books signed Lesson fee is £18.50pp.
3.  Grading fees and the return sheet are on the SSKA website or speak to your club Instructor.
Licences
Please make sure that you hold a current valid licence before training.  Please check your licence before the day!
Renewing Your Licence
Information about renewing your licence and taking up the special offer available can be found on the SSKA website.
Making Payments
Please try and pay BEFORE the grading day, if you can.  You can pay online, or by post to my home address.  Alternatively, you can pay in person at one of the catch up lessons.
Payments can be made on the day but we cannot guarantee that a certificate and belt will be available to present to you on the day.
And finally!
All activities will be conducted in accordance with Government   and Sports Centre COVID-19 guidelines in force at the time.
Kind regards
Sensei Cole, Chief Instructor and founder of the SSKA.
News

Next Shotokan Karate Course in Salisbury available soon!

This course will cover all aspects of Shotokan Karate with a strong focus on Kata.
As Salisbury is a Brown & Black Belt Course Centre, the course can be counted towards your Brown & Black Belt Course requirement.
Depending on numbers wishing to take up this course, Dan & Kyu gradings may also be possible on the day.
Venue:
Five Rivers Leisure Centre
Hulse Road
Salisbury
SP1 3NR
Date: Sunday 25th July
Time: For all grades, juniors and seniors arrive at 2.30pm, for a lesson 3- 4pm.
Training:
In the Dance Studio.
Cost:
Beginners and Kyu grades £14.50pp
Brown and Black belts £18.50pp
This course is a kick-start to regular lessons and gradings  returning to Salisbury on Saturday afternoons from the beginning of September.
Payments
Can be paid by BACS or to my home address.  You can also pay on the day,  but please arrive early to do so.
For students returning to the SSKA, there is a special offer available – please check our  website for more details.
Registration
Because of limited numbers allowed in the Dance studio, you must register for this course by Sunday 18th July.
Remember, that you must hold a current valid licence to attend this course at the Sports Centre.  Please check your licence expiry date and renew it if necessary, before attending this venue.
All activities will be conducted in accordance with strict Government & Sports Centre guidelines for COVID-19
With thanks
Sensei Cole
News

Exeter Grading 12 June 2021

Kyu and Dan Gradings and Brown and Black Belt Course Centre in Exeter.
Venue:  Countess Village Wear Hall, 28 School Lane, Exeter  EX2 6LB
Date: Saturday 12th June
Time: Juniors and Seniors arrive at 8.45am for a lesson 9am 10am
Gradings start at 10.15am

Lesson prices
Black Brown Belt £18.50p per person.
Kyu Grades 14.50p per person.
Normal Gradings fees apply which is on the grading return sheet which you can download here.

Please try and pay before the day. You can pay by BACS or post to Sensei Cole’s address. If you can not do this then arrive early on the day to pay.

You must register in advance even if you are paying on the day because of restricted numbers in the hall.

You cannot train or grade unless you have a valid licence.

No spectators will be aloud in the hall.

Will be following the guidelines for Coronavirus inside the hall and outside the hall.
How to renew your licence

We currently have special offers on licence renewals for more information click here.

News

New Membership Offers starting from 17 May

Membership Offers Available from 17 May to 31 July 2021

New members joining the SSKA
Your membership will include karate suit with belt plus SSKA badge Club badge embroidered on suit, licence (insurance) and grading book. Usual  price £80.

Special offer price:
£65 for one person
£60 per person for family of two
£55 per person for family of three or more.

Previous members rejoining the SSKA
Any former SSKA members can rejoin the association at their previous grade. All you will be required to pay is a Licence Renewal Fee of £30 and will last for 12 months.  A lost Licence Book will be replaced free of charge.

Members joining from other styles or association
No joining fee is required.  You can simply pay the licence renewal fee of £30 and will last for 12 months. A lost licence book will be replaced free of charge, proof of current grade may be requested.

For more information about memberships please contact Sensei Cole on sska595@gmail.com

News

SSKA events in June & July

Hopefully, we will all be back training in the Sports Centres soon, but in the meantime, we can train outside on the grass, weather permitting- Good news! Here are just a few updates for June and July, as follows:
June
1.  There will be no pre-gradings or gradings in June.  Instead, it will be catch-up lessons for all grades.
2. On June 6th and 20th June, there will be karate training covering all aspects of Shotokan Karate At Woodford Park Leisure Centre
Lessons will start at 0930 until 1100.  The cost will be £10 pp. Special Rates will apply.  Due to limited numbers allowed, please arrive early.
3.  On June 6th, there will be karate training covering all aspects of Shotokan Karate at Grange Leisure a Community Centre.
Lessons will will start at 1330 until 1500.  The cost will be £10pp. Special Rates will apply. Due to limited numbers allowed, please arrive early.
4.  On June 27th, there will be karate training covering all aspects of Shotokan Karate at Grange Leisure a Community Centre.
Lessons will will start at 0930 until 1100.  The cost will be £10pp. Special Rates will apply. Due to limited numbers allowed, please arrive early.
July
1.  All Gradings for 10th kyu – Black belts will now take place in July.  Woodley gradings on 4th July and Swindon gradings on 11th.  Further details to follow.
2.  Because of Covid19 and lockdowns, Special Rates for Licence renewals are available.  Please refer to the SSKA website for details.
3.  Students can double or triple grade, if they wish.  Only one lesson fee is payable and then each grading fee.  Please advise how many belts are required.
4.  Those students grading for 1st Kyu who fail part of their grade can regrade again on the same day after some further training/ coaching.  A second grading fee will be due.
5.  Those students grading for Black belt who fail only part of their grade, can regrade again on the same day after some further training/ coaching.  A second grading fee will be due.
6.  Students who paid for their grading in 2020, but have yet to grade will have nothing to pay, unless they wish to double/ triple grade.  The extra grading fee will be payable.
7.  Due to Lockdown, students may be in possession of an out-of-date Licence.  A Licence Renewal fee will be required.  Please ensure that your students check their Licences beforehand.
8.  Payments can be made online on the SSKA website, to my address or at one of the catch-up courses.
9.  Grading and Licence forms can be downloaded from the SSKA website.
10. The Summer Camp 13th to 15th August 2021 will definitely take place.  Please use the Winter Camp Form which is available on the SSKA website.  Payment can be made online, by post to my home address or at one of the catch-up courses.
Please pass on all relevant information to your students- many thanks!
Thank you all for your continued support.
Best wishes
Sensei Stuart Cole
News

Licence Renewals

We are very much looking forward to welcoming you all back to karate. Some of our clubs will be starting to welcome our junior members back this month.
Many of you will not have trained for some considerable time and it is likely that your licence has expired. As you begin to return to training we would ask that you renew your licences as soon as possible.
This years renewal will remain at £30 but we are offering a 3 month extension on your renewal for everyone that renews in 2021. So you get 15 months for the price of 12!
Many of you were unable to train during 2020 and we will be offering additional extensions for this time. We will assess each renewal on an individual basis and instead of having to back date your licence as we would have requested previously we ensure the earliest your licence will need to be renewed again will be January 2022*
* Please note if your licence expired before 22 March 2020 you will need to pay for the year/years leading up to this date as all clubs were running during this time.
It’s really important the your licence remains in date as this is your insurance and gives you protection should you get injured during your training.
Should you have any queries or concern please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me on sska595@gmail.com
You can download a licence renewal here
News

Two FREE Karate Courses – Saturday 20 March

On Saturday 20 March we will be holding two free karate courses open to everyone.

The courses will be run by Sensei Cole (7th Dan) with over 55years experience, Sensei Lewis (6th Dan) with over 30 years experience and Sensei Whitcher (6th Dan) with over 25 years experience.
Over 100 years of experience between us all!

Course one starts at 4pm

The first course is a special introductory course and offer for one day only for anyone who left martial arts and would like to return and for beginners who would like to try Shotokan Karate for the first time. Students must be 10 years old and above.

We are happy to accept younger children if a parent participates with them.

The lesson will start with a  warm up, with fitness and stretching.
Then we will go in to a nice slow lesson learning basic moves to start with – blocks and punching techniques plus different kinds of kicks and stances. Distance and timing work and loads of other stuff which you will learn as you proceed on the path for the Back Belt.

As part of the special offer:

  1. You can come back at the grade you left on we will recognise the rank from any association or style.
  2. No joining fee
  3. Just pay a Licence fee of £30
  4. Your Licence will start on 20 March for one year then you renew again in twelve months time
  5. If you have lost your licence book and your grading history and courses we will give you a FREE book all signed up (this includes students from other styles and other karate groups.)
  6. You can buy a karate suit, belts, SSKA badges or embroidered badges for your suit. All prices are on our website www.sska.co.uk or you can wear your old white karate suit and belt if you have one.
  7. We will direct you to your nearest SSKA Club and introduce you to the instructor.
  8. If there is no club in your area we would be willing to set one up.

 

Course two starts at 4.50pm

This lesson is for all SSKA registered students.
The lesson will be a basic lesson concentrating on basic moves, detail of moves and technical detail on combinations as well as focus, timing, flow of moves and inner strength. We will cover the grading syllabus too.

If you need to renew your licence if it’s run out please contact Sensei Cole directly as every students circumstances will be taken into consideration  due to  Covid 19 and the lockdowns that have been in place. Contact Sensei Cole to discuss on 07557532676 or email sska595@gmail.com.

Please note for both courses: Younger children must have a parent with them when they are on Zoom for safeguarding reasons. You train at your own risk on Zoom. Dress code is karate suit or lose clothing you can wear feet protection as well.

Numbers are limited so register early to avoid disappointment.
To register text Sensei Cole on 07557532676 or email sska595@gmail.com.

If you decide you like Shotokan Karate and you  like the SSKA we will tell you the procedure to get your licence and join the SSKA you can do everything on line.Just email for bank account details.
sska595@gmail.com