A Very JKS Weekend

This weekend was an active one with on Saturday the JKS course in Dublin, with the usual wealth of experienced karateka all teaching throughout the day. Steve Carless was the visiting sensei from the UK, who for much of the first hour explored the 6 levels of Oi suki. I think we were all challenged by how our basic punch can still be such a difficult concept. Sunday was the monthly JKS squad training session, held for the first time in Moate. This was a difficult and rewarding day. Where we got to explore kata and kumite in detail.

Student of the Month for March

Our students of the month for March were as always a tough choice but also well deserving for those who achieved it. Winners of this award must have perfect attendance and be of good spirit and character.

So well done to Alyssa Fahy, brothers Patrick and Ronan Carney, who are our Little Wolves.

Regan Warde from our senior children has been training very hard and this week alone has been at 3 training sessions and is really developing as an exceptional student.

Japan Aid Fund Raising

We will have a collection box at class for those who would like to contribute towards the aid efforts in Japan. Martin O Malley from the White Tigers will be travelling to Japan on the 9th of April, so all money collected will be going directly to the Japanese aid agencies. We have a big club, so if we all give a €1 and all the other clubs in the area also donate together we can make a good contribution.Alternatively you can contact Martin O Malley direct on martin.omalley@hse.ie

JKS Club Championships

The JKS Ireland have confirmed their first Club Championships. Each JKS Ireland Club will hold their own in house competition to select their Club Champions in various catagories.
These Champions will then go forward to represent their club at the JKS National Club Championship on the 11th of September 2011, which will be held in Moate, Co. Meath.
Our own Faolchú Championships in Tuam will as usual be held in July. Last year proved to be a great experiance for all and wonderful day out. This year will see even greater challenges and rewards as students have gained new skills and experiance throughout the year and will be keen to show their fighting spirit.

St. Patricks Day

On Thursday over 50 Tuam Karate children took to the streets to proudly march in the St Patricks Day Parade. For the first time in over a decade a Tuam karate club joined the rest of the community to celebrate St Patricks Day by participating in the festivities. Some of the participants on the day were as young as 4 years old (like Óisin pictured) but still remembered their routine and performed proudly for the town and Mayor Sally-Anne.
Faolchú were very lucky to have the usual support of families and friends to help and march alongside the karateka. Most had their whole families to support them on the day, reinforcing the family club that we have grown to become.

SQAUD TRAINING

There will be juniors squad training on Monday The 21st of March from 18:00 to 20:00. Little Wolves (6 and under) will get an opportunity to enter their first tournament at the Little Dragons Novice event.

Little Dragons Tournament

All Faolchú Students are invited to The Little Dragons Tournament, hosted by MVF and Zanshin Martial Arts in Ballina, Co. Mayo, on Sunday the 3rd of April.

This is a beginners/ novice tournament and suitable for all 12 and under.

All students who wish to participate need to let their sensei know for pre registration.

Open JKS Course

On Saturday 26th of March, there will be an open JKS Course in Dublin. Please use the following link for info

http://www.jksireland.com/images/stories/docs/open_course_march_11.pdf

Tesco Vouchers for clubs!

If any Faolchú members shop in Tesco we appreciate if you would give us the "schools and clubs" vouchers to help save up for mats.
Thanks Marie

http://www.tescoforschoolsandclubs.co.uk/

Student of the Month for February.

Well done to the students who were awarded student of the Month during February. Each class out of our 4 weekly childrens' karate classes has a monthly award for the most outstanding students who have had perfect attendance and shown admirable character and spirit.
This months students are Georóid Reynolds and Rory Mullan from Friday Little Wolves class.
Jack Haughey from Tuesday Little Wolves.

Sarah Rigney from Friday senior children.

Keep up the good work and I'm very sorry that I didn't get the photos up sooner

Some Events in the coming Weeks

There's plenty to be doing for those of us with free time on our hands over the next couple of months!
Masao Kagawa 8th Dan will be in Nottingham, UK on the 11th to the 13th of March.
The JKS will be having one of many open training courses in Dublin on the 26th of March, followed on the Sunday of the same weekend the JKS squad training in Moat.
Scott Langley will be teaching at an open course and grading in Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo hosted by Alan Biesty on the 3rd of April.
Master Harry Thompson is having MVF's first invitational Little Dragons in Ballina also on the 3rd of April.
The Ardee Open mixed karate will be on the 16th of April, followed on the Sunday the 17th by JKS squad training in Dublin.
Scott Langley will be teaching at a course and grading in Athboy, hosted by Pat Murtagh.
On Sunday the 1st of May, the IJKA Open Tournament is on in Fermoy, Co Cork.
Should any of our students wish to attend these events please talk to one of your sensei for further details.
That should keep us busy for a while.

Koike Sensei 5th Dan JKS

On Sunday 6th March Sensei Yutaka Koike 5th Dan Technical Director of JKS Karate Italy, an all Japan Karate Champion and University Karate Instructor Course Graduate travelled to Tuam.

Karate students from a number of clubs travelled to take part. The morning was devoted to children from the age of 4 years. Everyone had a great time. With the lesson for the class being on how to create great spirit in the Dojo while having fun and learning core principals of karate.

A number of Faolchú Students graded after the class and all were successfull.

The second half of the day was for adults and over 35 people attended some travelling from Donegal, Cork, Longford and Mayo. The lesson for adults was on the correct use of breathing to create more power within karate techniques.

Everyone had a great day and Koike Sensei posed for many photos and was asked to autograph a number of grading books. A testament to his enlightened instruction.

More Photos to follow later

FREE JKS COURSE

JKS England are hosting a FREE course.
This is open to JKS members and Non JKS members also.

Instructors are
Alan Campbell 6th Dan
Scott Langley 5th Dan
Yataka Koike 5th Dan

The course is on Saturday the 2nd of April 2011 in Orpington - Kent.
Contact for the event is Danny Trainor jks-edenbridge@hotmail.co.uk.

There is a FREE course also planned for Ireland later on this year.