SOUTHPORT YMCA SHOTOKAN KARATE CLUB

81 Hoghton St.= Southport. Phone 538317

(Affiliated to th= e Hara Shotokan Academy)=

(www.s= outhportkarate.com)

= INFORMATION FOR PARENTS

= =

= = INSTRUCTORS

= = Juniors= Alan Hug= hes (5^th. Dan) Dave Bottomley (2^nd. Dan)

= = Adults= Alan Hug= hes (5^th. Dan)<= /o:p>

= = Club Secretary Jane Hughes

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF KARATE =

To develop character, self defence skills a= nd fitness.

WHAT ELSE WILL MY CHILD GAIN FROM KARATE TRAINING ?

A sense of discipline, increased co-ordinat= ion and concentration.

WHAT AGE CAN A CHILD BEGIN TO TRAIN AT YOUR CLUB AND CAN GIRLS JOIN ?

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After their eighth birthday. This is for insurance reasons and no exceptions are made.

Girls are as welcome as boys.

WHAT SCHOOL OF KARATE IS SHOTOK= AN ?

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Shotokan is the most popular school in Britain= with the largest number of students. It emphasizes low stances, direct movements= and natural breathing. It originates from Okinawa off the Japanese mainland.

WHEN IS THE TRAINING HELD ?

Juniors times are 6.00-7.00pm.Tuesday.and T= hursday. and Adults 7.00-8.30pm.Tues.and 6.45-8.15pm.Thurs.

Please make sure your child is 5 mins. earl= y as we start right on time.

13 to 14 year olds can decide whether they = feel more comfortable in the juniors or adults after speaking to one of the inst= ructors. No classes are held on Bank Holidays as the whole YMCA building is closed.<= o:p>

DO WE NEED TO INFORM YOU IF MY CHILD IS ABS= ENT FROM TRAINING ?

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No, but it is essential that the student pu= ts in a minimum of 3 months full attendance before they can be entered for a grading.

WHAT IS THE GRADING SYSTEM ?

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The grading system is used to mark an incre= ase in the student’s karate ability. Progress is indicated by different c= olored belts. Starting at white belt 9^th. Kyu (orange) 8^th. = Kyu (red) 7^th. Kyu (yellow) 6^th. Kyu (green) 5^{th.Kyu
(purple) 4^th. Kyu (purple and white) 3^rd. Kyu (brown)=
2^nd.
Kyu (brown and 1 stripe) 1^st. Kyu (brown and 2 stripes) to black
belt which is 1^st. Dan.}

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MY CHILD WHEN TRAINI= NG AND IS THERE ANY INSURANCE ?

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The instructors will take care of your of y= our child as long as they stay in the training area. They are not responsible f= or the children in the rest of the building.

The YMCA is insured, as is the Karate Club = in the unlikely event of your child being injured.

Each student must register with the HARA SHOTOKAN ACADEMY within two = weeks of starting training.

On registering they gain individual insuran= ce and grading licence which must be looked after carefully by the student. The registration costs £20 per year.

WHAT SHOULD I DO IN TERMS OF PROVIDING A KA= RATE UNIFORM ?

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The white training kit is known as a Gi. Th= ey come in lightweight or heavyweight material and the prices vary according to size and quality. Gi’s with the HARA motif are available by order from Jane. A deposit of £5 will be required on ordering and the balance on collection.

WHAT HAPPENS AT A GRADING AND HOW CAN I HEL= P MY CHILD PREPARE ?

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If your child is considered ready by the instructor (they must have attended a minimum of 3 continual months trainin= g) they may be entered for a grading which is held at the YMCA.

They will need to undertake a brief series = of Karate moves and a kata (a set sequence of karate actions) and kumite (orga= nized sparring).

The Sensei will then judge whether they are= up to the required standard or not.

The following must be brought before the grading event - which is normally held during training times.

(1) A current license for the HARA SHOTOKAN ACADEMY.

(2) £15 grading fee.

Parents can watch the grading as long as th= ey remain quiet.

The grading examiner is Alan Hughes(5^th. Dan) but once a year or at least every 4^th. grading students mus= t be graded by Sensei Ken Button (6^th. Dan) Chief instructor and grad= ing examiner of the HARA SHOTOKAN ACADEMY.

CAN I WATCH MY CHILD TRAIN?

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If you so wish and remain uninvolved. It ma= y be as well to ask your child if they would prefer you to come along or not. Th= ere is a small café area in the reception.

WHAT KIND OF DISCIPLINE WILL MY CHILD NEED = TO FOLLOW IN TRAINING ?

Shotokan is very keen to have respectful and attentive students. Consistent misbehavior means they may well be asked to leave the session, or if consistently causing problems, asked to leave the club.

This is at the discretion of the instructor= .

The instructors are however, realistic about what behavior can be expected of younger children.

Important signs of respect required in the ‘dojo’ - the training area are;-

(1) No eating, drinking, shoes or watches. (Soft shoes may be worn if there is a foot complaint).

(2) Always kneeling when entering the dojo = if turning up late and the class has already started.

(3) Raising the hand if a student wants ask= the instructor a question.

HOW DO WE JOIN THE CLUB?<= /u>

Call in to the class about 10 minutes befor= e it starts and speak to the black belt in attendance.

If the above does not answer your questions, please do not hesitate to speak to Alan, Dave, or Jane the club secretary, preferably 10 mins. before the class starts at 6.00pm.=