I was talking with Itakura sensei on Sunday about Australian University Games Kendo and the USQ players. He is very keen to help develop the squad, but as he rightly pointed out this cannot be done without some regular input from him.
To that end we have decided that a minimum requirement for eligibility to represent USQ will be to participate in a minimum of one Sunday training session a month where sensei is present. We will also be seeing what can be done by way of organising regular trips to Brisbane to train with sensei (which is only fair given his commitment of driving up to Toowoomba every Sunday morning).
In some more USQ Kendo news, I will be taking the opportunity of working at the Springfield Campus on Fridays this semester to see if we can generate some interest in kendo down the hill. One of my co-workers has expressed an interest to once again pick up her shinai after and extended break, and we will be seeing if we can get a few more along — possibly with an eye to expanding the number of eligible USQ kendoka for this year's Uni Games, which will be held on the Gold Coast this year on the last weekend of September.