The Beginnings of our Name Board

Tuam Faolchu Dojo will soon have a very proud Japanese Karate Name Board, thanks to Paddy Mc Loughlin.

Dust off the Dogi it's Karate Time

Time to shake up the Little (and not so Little) Wolves, check the dogi still fits (applies to both adults and children and start training like you don't want your Sensei to know you've been a little lazy about your karate practice this Summer!

I am currently in planning mode, there is so much to do behind the scenes. The first step is to contact new and existing students to let everyone know where and when we are back. 

In line with Galway Sports Council recommendations, all students must fill in new registration forms annually. This helps us keep aware of peoples changing circumstances.

Classes from Sept will be as follows:

Dunmore Community Center

Monday 17:00 Little Wolves

Monday 18:00 Children's Karate Age 8+

Tuam Faolchú Karate Dojo

Tuesday 17:00 Little Wolves

Tuesday 18:00 Little Wolves

Tuesday 19:00 Advanced Class, Green belt and above

Wednesday 17:00 Beginners Children's Class Age 8+

Wednesday 18:00 Children's Karate Age 8+

Wednesday 20:00 Adults Karate

Thursday 17:00 Little Wolves

Thursday 18:00 Little Wolves

Friday 18:15 Children's Karate Age 8+

Clonberne Community Center

Friday 16:30 Children's Karate Age 6+

Kilkerrin Community Center

Saturday 10:00 Little Wolves Age 

Saturday 11:00 Children's Karate

Please note for best instruction, class sizes are limited and places must be pre-booked.

Tuam Kickathon Support Galway Hospice

This year we have decided to Fundraise for Galway Hospice in our annual Kickathon. This is a service that affects all of us living in County Galway. 

Galway Hospice Foundation is a registered charity, established in 1986 to provide hospice/palliative care services to patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families/carers throughout Galway city and county. There is no charge to patient or family for any of the services provided by the Hospice.

The Galway Hospice depends on the generosity and goodwill of the public to fund the Home Care Service, Day Care Service, Bereavement Support Service and Educational Facility. Combined, these services cost in excess of €1.5 million per annum to provide.

We would like to thank club members who nominated charities and we will consider them for future events. 

The Hello Magazine of the World of Karate

I have recently been enjoying reading Richard Bullers blog and I thought I would share it as part of our links.

Richard colourfully refers to himself as "Karate Grandpa" and most days posts to his blog about his life and path through karate.

There are a lot of karate blogs about, however I often find them boastful and over technical and yes they have a place and purpose too.

But Richard has an everyday unassuming approach to his karate and everyday life which is frankly very realistic and endearing.

http://richardbuller.wordpress.com/

Tuam Mystery Movie Night

Tuam Karate Club & Ace Gymnastics have the wheels in motion for a fantastic club value for money night out!!!

It's time to treat the parents :-)

Summer

We love our club but some times a little beach break helps reboot the system

Tuam Karate Camp

A great fun week was had by our Little Wolves on the Summer Camps. Daily sessions consisted of fun and learning. Sandwiched between a condensed karate class and physical challenges of Gladiator games, Kids Olympics and assault courses, was a very busy creative session where origami and other creative skill where learned.

Sibling Success

Tuam brother & sister Lukas & Gabriele proudly display Student of the Month Medals.

Tuam Faolchu Annual Fund-Raiser

Tuam Karate Faolchu are at the planning stage of the year again where one of the decisions to be made is who to support with out September Kickathon.

The idea behind our Fund-raiser is to empower children and club members to realise that each individual can make a difference by their small deeds and most importantly together make a difference to our community.

If you have a local cause or a family/child related cause or are a local charity that needs help please let us know on our Facebook page for consideration.

Tuam Summer Camps

It's that time of year again when we look at fun and suitable Summer Camps for our little children.
I am a mother of two, Sensei of 100+ and have been childminder of many :-)

To be honest, this is the first time that I've run a camp but not the first time I've been involved in them!

I have lived the other end of the Summer Camp experience and as the neurotic parent that I am it has been a turbulent experience, wondering if my little children would be cared for as well as I expect for them.
Thankfully I haven't had any disturbing events, although I have been disappointed, especially where sports camps where involved. I have great respect for the sports coaches in Tuam and have never had an issue with any of these people. Yet when it comes to Summer Camps, frequently coaches know their sport and sports drills (really this applies to Summer coaches), but not children.
I have been to camps locally which have had bullying and poor conduct, which left for a bad experience for my son. At several of the camps my daughter wanted to attend I simply asked the organizers for their garda vetting and they had none. These people where surprised to even be asked!

So here's the question, "What questions should you ask"???
(And why are you too shy to ask?)

1. Qualifications.
What are the basic requirements for people supervising your child?
A) According to current legislation all adults in contact with your child must be garda vetted.
B) Does your camp have an always present first aider along with another adult to supervise if one child needs exclusive care.
C) If you camp is a sports camp are they Sports Council recognized and qualified in "Child Protection" and  "Children in Sport"
D) Do they have a "Code of Ethics"/" Code of Best Practice"
E) What experience with children do the supervisors have?

2.Your Child.
Is your camp age appropriate? What will your child gain from the camp? Is the daily event plan varied, interesting and stimulating?
Can the camp best meet the needs of your child and their individual personality?

3. Insurance.
Is your camp adequately insured and what does your insurance cover?
If your child has special needs is this covered also?

4. The Location.
Where will it be on?
Is the venue suitable, clean, in good repair, have first aid supplies, age appropriate and safe.
Are there any excursions?


When it comes to event flyers, they are designed to be something to catch the eye of the prospective Summer Camper, however they cannot contain all this information.
Personally, being asked these questions is a pleasure and adds professionalism to what we offer and sitting on the side of the Camp Organizer as opposed to the parent shopping for a camp, I need to say
" Please ask questions, look to see qualifications and require the best for your child".
Any good camp will be proud to display their competency.