On Sunday 29th January Faolchú launched our first Squad, Training & Development class for 2012 with a seminar on competition, instructed by Sensei Dermott O'Keeffe 5th Dan JKS and current World Kata Champion.
58 Karate students from Tuam and the surrounding areas as well as JKS Mayo turned in to train on the day.
Sensei Dermott taught Kumite drills and Kata all focused on improving fitness and conditioning to better perform in competition.

Our Little Wolves

The Senior Class

Everyone had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the day. Many thanks to everyone that came.

January Student of the Month

Our Student of the Month winners at the beginning of 2012 where Tuesday Little Wolves, Noah Tanisken and Szcsepan Sreberski.

Tuam Children's Karate general class winners where Dominik Rogaliski and Jack Haughey.

Well done to all students, you have worked very hard.

Tuam's Karate is Keeping Busy

Tuam karate Faolchú is settling in well to 2012.
Last week everyone should have received their squad training cards to be stamped as the year progresses, with the first Faolchú Squad Training taking place on Sunday the 29th of January. Our first training date will be unique because it will be instructed by Sensei Dermot O Keeffe 5th dan, current World JKS Kata Champion.
We are currently preparing for our first competition of the year the Piltown Championships. This will be held on the 27th of February.
To help raise money for our squad fund next week we are asking people to bring in their old clothes, shoes and handbags in "Cash for Clothes" fundraising.
Last week we also had the pleasure to meet and train with the Operation Tuamsformation people which was great fun. Well done to all involved and many thanks to our adult Faolchú students who helped out with the class.

Operation Tuamformation

Tuam Adults Karate Class Notice: On Wednesday night we are pleased to be part of the Operation Tuamsformation taking part in Total Fitness Solutions Gym. So as not to miss our regular adults karate class we will be making some changes for one night only.
Class will begin at 19:30 for all regular students with Tuamsformation students joining us at 20:30, finishing up at 21:30.
We will be training in the boxing hall, next to the astro turf.

There will be no fee for the class, just a donation bucket towards the charities.

Tuam Karate Squad Training

This year we are creating a more regular squad training, we want to see all our club members develop and progress to the best of their abilities. To ensure this we will introduce monthly squad training and select competitions which we will subsidise through Faolchu squad funds.
Squad training is all inclusive and suitable for all.
As an additional incentive squad classes will provide a reward for classes attended.
A new edition Faolchú hoodie for 6 classes attended.
A new edition Faolchu hoodie and Faochú mascot wolf for 8 classes attended.
FAOLCHÚ SQUAD TRAINING DATES
29/01/12
19/02/12
15/04/12
20/05/12
17/06/12
30/09/12
21/10/12
18/11/12

First 2012 Squad Training

A reminder to all that our first Faolchú squad session will be on January the 29th. This will be different than the following sessions because it will be instructed by Sensei Dermott O Keeffe, 5th Dan. It is recommended that all Faolchú karate students attend this class.
The schedual will be as follows
10:30 Under 8's/ Children below full orange belt
11:30 Break
12:00 All other students
13:30 Black & Brown belts only stay on (small break and the resume)
14:30 Finish.

Your Old Clothes!

Our first squad event is already planned, The Piltown Championships. Faolchú attended the competition last year, had great success and a nice time getting to know each other as a club over the weekend.
This year the event will be on the 26th of February.
To help with funding the squad we are looking for your old clothes! We would appreciate if all club members and their families could donate used clothes, handbags, shoes, sheets or belts (no curtains, quilts, pillows and non clothing items) and bring them along to class on the last week of January. We can then trade them in a "Clothes for Cash" scheme where they offer 50c per kilo. These clothes are taken to countries like Russia or the Ukraine where they have a resale value.
Thanks for your support.

Events Page

I have created a new Events Page which can be visited through the Club Pages section on the side bar of the home page.

The reason for this is that there is so much scheduled for 2012 that it can no longer fit down the side bar.

I will be adding lots more to it over the coming days and weeks. If anyone wants me to display anything please e-mail me the details.

New Years Resolutions

Happy 2012 everyone.
The question is, what makes 31st of December any different than January 1st?
The Answer: New Years Resolutions.
It is for me anyway but what's the point and why make them when most of us won't last until February? Personally, I love New Years Resolutions. The main reasons being that each year I believe in a new me, a fitter, healthier, happier and more efficient human being. Who is the kind of friend and family member everyone should have. Admittedly some years are more productive than others, some years I make big progress, some years I'm glad we all made it out alive! But every year I have the dream, the optimism that I'll get there.
I like to make a small list of goals. The next belt, the family Saturdays, or one this year is getting around a nearby hill.
For the past few months myself and my friend Liam have returned to running. We run around a hiking route, where the first mile is all uphill. This year I'm going to run around it twice and at a good pace. That's not something that'll happen soon at my current rate of progress but I'll do it this year. Either way it's a win:win situation. Which is the real reason for having resolutions. If I don't make it and never reach that goal this year, for what ever reason, I'll have spent time working on my physical health, my fitness and my mental health (and time running with a friend that I otherwise wouldn't). Like Bruce Lee said "A goal isn't always something to be reached, it simply serves as something to aim at".
My other reason for the New Year Resolutions List is a little less pure and budo. Knowing that I'll be a better person in January allows all that over indulgence and laziness in December and over the Christmas break because I really love Christmas.

Karate and Combat Classes 2012

Faolchú classes return to normal from Tuesday the 10th of January. Class schedule will be as follows.
Tuesday 18:00 Little Wolves - Indigo Holistic
Tuesday 19:00 Combat Training - Indigo Holistic
Wednesday 18:00 Childrens Karate -Total Fitness Solutions
Wednesday 20:00 Adults Karate - Indigo Holistic
Thursday 18:00 Little Wolves -Indigo Holistic
Friday 18:00 Childrens Karate - Total Fitness Solutions.
Numbers are limited so new members must phone in advance to confirm their place.