BBRD trialing cashlessness (mostly)

With the new month on us, and the fervent desire of the Treasurer not to have quite so many headaches in keeping the Club's books, we will be trailing new integrated software across all of the classes to track student attendance and training contributions.

In addition we will be trying as much as possible to go "cashless" so that we are not having to keep all of the paper records and separate income streams for when takings get banked. To assist this Kris has kindly donated an iPad, from which we will be logging everything and doing the banking from it.

If you don't have a Visa or Mastercard Debit or Credit card, you can also arrange to directly deposit into the Club's bank account. Details are on the website. If you can't do this, please talk to Michael or Kris this week as a matter of urgency.

Jujutsu gradings this week

Well, the months of preparation that the jujutsu-ka have been committed to will finally be tested this week. I want to congratulate everyone for the effort that they have put in, particularly in recent weeks, and look forward to seeing your demonstrations.

I'd like to encourage all Club members, whether grading or not, or whether you actively practice jujutsu or not, to come along from midday on Saturday to provide support for everyone attempting grades.

For those of you grading, remember that Thursday night will be a full grading prep starting on the dot of 6.30pm. Please make sure that you are there by 6pm so that we can go through final instructions and the specific grading reiho for Saturday.

Gambatte Folks!

Jujutsu grading preparations this week

Hi Folks! I know all of the jujutsu-ka are putting in the miles for next weekend's grading opportunity. I just wanted to make a few observations to help your prep and just let you know of some time changes over the next two weeks leading up to the grading itself.

First up, the common question I get asked is "what are you really looking for"? Well it depends on the specific grade (obviously) but there are some general principles:

• Across all grades is a demonstration of spirit and determination. You don't have to possess the fitness of an elite athlete, but what you have to demonstrate is your willingness to push yourself to own limit and not pull short. Remember that kiban waza is not just a "warm up" but a set of foundation exercises (and yes your performance in this is assessable). Gradings have an element of performance to them. You will be pushed harder than in a regular class and you need to demonstrate that you can rise to the challenge.
• 8th Kyu expects that the candidate has put in a solid and determined year or so of training in. It means that you know the core etiquette within the system, have a reasonable grasp of the fundamental techniques within the nyumon portion of the syllabus.
• 7th Kyu means that you ave a good grasp of the fundamentals, and can demonstrate with some (minor) errors the core kata for nyumon. Again the odd mistake or lapse is understandable, but again we are looking for you to demonstrate spirit and determination, and to push on without "freezing".
• 6th Kyu is about demonstrating a basic competence of the nyumon. It need not be perfect, though the "gross anatomy" of all the syllabus elements must be there.

If you have not already downloaded the grading criteria for the level you wish to attempt, I would strongly urge you to do so ASAP and bring it along to the dojo to brush up on what you are a little rusty on.

Given grading prep, I will be changing around some of the training times this week and next. First, both this week and next, Thursday Systema training will go on hiatus in favour of extra Jujutsu sessions. Second, this Saturday, training will commence at 2.30pm in order to allow Michael to make another commitment earlier in the day.

Finally, the grading will commence at 12pm sharp on Saturday 6 May. However, the dojo will be open from 11 am. It is expected that candidates get there at this time to help set up the dojo and prepare it for the grading.

And, as a last note, everyone (friends, family, interested observers from inside or outside the Club) is most welcome to come and watch the grading and provide support to the candidates. I hope to see a crowd there at 12 pm on the 6th!

An Aikido Pioneer in Brisbane this June

Brisbane is most fortunate to have one of the earliest foriegn practitioners of Aikido in Brisbane this June, in Bill Gleason Shihan. He currently holds an Aikikai 7th Dan and is coming from Boston to teach us here in Australia. He trained directly under the late Seigo Yamaguchi in Japan, a master widely recognised for his amazing 'ki' power. Anyone interested in generating power from the body's frame, the so called 'movement within movement', in an Aikido setting would be wise to come and join this seminar. This is the 4th time I will have attended his seminar and it is well worth it! Check out this link: http://issuu.com/aikidoandinternalpowergroup/docs/flyer_for_gasshuku_june

Here is a photo of Bill Gleason Shihan throwing me in 2013. Cheers, Addo.

News from China — Stuart Shaw through the first round

Word in from the wire— Stuart Shaw, the Club's Chinese Arts instructor has made it through to the third round of the Daqingshan International Taiji Competition.

Stuart is one of only three Westerners to go through to the fourth round. More to come through this week. For the latest, make sure you keep looking at the BBRD Facebook Page!

Late start for Jujutsu this Tuesday (12 May)

Just to let you know that I am teaching in Springfield on Tuesday this week as a swap for the Ipswich Show Holiday.

As a result, I will be coming in a little later to the dojo, so we will start class at 6.30 pm (so our Thursday drill). Adrian Knight should be there earlier for the regular jodo class in odrer to let folks in and set up the mats. We may have one or two new participant who may be unaware of the revised start time, so I'd ask jujutsuka could get there at the usual time to help orient them. 

Jujutsu kyu examinations Saturday 6 June

It is that time of year, and we have locked in 11 am Saturday 6 June to hold grade examinations for Jujutsu. Application fee for the grading is $30.

The grading rubrics for 9th-6th Kyu have been updated on the Club's Facebook group. I would ask that anyone who is wishing to present for an evaluation to download (and print out) the appropriate document and bring it with them to jujutsu classes between now and the end of the month.

Saturday sessions between now and the grading will be focussed on grading preparation, but if you have any specific questions based on the rubrics, please bring them along to evening classes as well.

Good luck everyone with your prep!

Best wishes for Stuart Shaw

I am not sure what the Chinese equivalent might be, but I want to call out a big gambate! for Stuart who left on Sunday to compete at the International tournament in Daqingshan, China.

We all know the very hard Work Stuart has been putting into his training over the past 12 months, and expect him to acquit himself well, no doubt with tales ideas and vigour to bring home with him.

Farewell Jack Jang!

With a little sadness, myself and some of the Executive managed to catch up with Jack on Tuesday before he and his wife started their journey down to Sydney in pursuit of work opportunities.

I want to extend my thanks to Jack for his contributions to the Club over the past two and a half years. We will all miss him, wish him all the best, and hope to see him again in Toowoomba in the not too distant future.

Annual General Meeting this Saturday 12pm

This Saturday, 2nd May, we will be having our Annual General Meeting (between the sessions of Tai Chi and Jujutsu) at 12 noon in the MEAC.

All current financial BBRD members are welcome and invited to attend. You must be financial to vote. Have your say in the future directions in our Club!

At the AGM we elect our club executive members: President, Secretary and Treasurer, for this year. Maybe you are thinking of standing for a position? This is your chance! We also hear about the happenings of the last year and what may be coming up ahead.

Jujutsu training will follow on from the AGM, which is not anticipated to take up a great deal of time. 

Hope to see you all there!