We are pleased to announce that the 2022 SSKA competition will take place on Saturday 17 December from 10am at Queen Ann’s School, 6 Henley Road, Reading Berkshire RG4 6DX.
More details to follow. Please keep checking back.
Category Archives: News
IMPORTANT – Salisbury Grading Time Changes
Please note that the Grading lesson times are incorrect on the Grading Information paperwork that was sent out to students. The correct times are:
Sunday 3rd April.
Juniors & Seniors (All Grades) arrive at 11.30pm for admin, pre-grading lesson 12 noon – 1.00pm. Grading starts approx. 1.00pm in the Studio.
Summer Camp 2022 Open for bookings
Details for this year’s summer camp are now available on our website to download – for more information please click here
We will once again be staying and training at the Trouville Hotel in Bournemouth. Don’t forget to book your accommodation by calling 01202 552262 and please remember to state that you are a member of the SSKA.
Hotel rates are for Dinner, Bed and Breakfast, this special rate is only available when quoting the SSKA. Please ensure you have registered with the SSKA and paid your training fees before booking the Hotel.
Training Prices: 9 Lessons for £90.00*
* This is a flat rate, regardless of how many days or lessons you attend.
If you wish to grade at this camp you must have attended the previous camp, 4 black and brown belt courses or trained at the main swindon dojo for at least 8 lessons.
Permission to grade must be obtained in writing from your club instructor. Deadline for applications is Friday 15 July 2022.
Late applications may be accepted but will incur a £10 administration fee.
Winter Camp 2022 Fully Booked
Our 2022 Winter Camp is now fully booked. We look forward to seeing everyone on the course next weekend.
Half price membership for February
From 1 February until 28 February (inclusive) we are reducing our Membership Fee to join the SSKA from £80 to £40.
Your membership will include a brand new Karate Suit embroidered with the SSKA badge and club badge plus your grading book and insurance for 1 year.
This offer is only available during February and won’t be extended. No other offers or special family rates can be used in conjunction with this offer.
For more information or to find you nearest club please get in touch by emailing us.
Free Instructor’s Information Course
Open Free Instructor’s Information Course at Grange Leisure & Community Centre, Grange Drive, Stratton St. Margaret, Swindon, SN3 4JY. 3.00-5.00pm on Sunday 30 January.
This course is for all instructors, including junior instructors, and anyone 4th Kyu and above who would like to become an instructor and run a SSKA club. The course will give you new ideas about teaching your students, advice on how to promote your club and a chance to concentrate on your own karate to help you progress, and an intense Judging and Refereeing course in preparation for the SSKA Annual Competition. For all enquiries phone or text the SSKA 07557 532676.
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
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.
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
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
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.