IBF Training Day wrap up

It was an exceptionally pleasant Saturday road trip down to the Hills District PCYC to participate in the annual International Budo Federation, Queensland Branch training day. Making the trip from Toowoomba in the red tractor were Jack, Michael, Raymond, Robert and Tracy, and we were joined by Tony, and Don Ouellette's other students to participate is a wide range of disciplines including Arnis, Kendo, Silat, Aikido, Jujutsu, and self defence concepts.

It was lovely to see how much interest there was in the kendo session (from my perspective, what is not to love!), but having a group of folk who had never picked up a shinai before go from clubbing to slicing was gratifying. We also received many compliments and congratulations for both the sessions we instructed, and the qualities of the BBRD members who came to "wave the flag". Don sensei and Jason Griffiths sensei likewise very much impressed and inspired with their Arnis sessions, so we will have to capitalise on that and keep the fires burning up the Hill. 

It was also lovely to reconnect with folk from last year. There was even talk of having people come and visit Toowoomba to continue the martial arts dialogue. At this stage we are considering hosting a training weekend up in Toowoomba around mid-November, so we will keep you posted!

Jodo training in Brisbane

Hello everybody,

On Saturday 13 August several Jodo practitioners attended an invited training day down in Brisbane at Chushinkan Dojo with Glen Henry Sensei and several of his students. The training started at 10:30 with emphasis on the sword side of the art followed by some pointers on aspects of the jo kihon. I would like to thank Glen Henry for this opportunity for the Toowoomba group to gain some additional insight into the art.

Regular training sessions with the group from Chushinkan Dojo are in the process of being finalised, and plans are being made for the 2018 International Jodo Federation that will be held in Brisbane.

For those who are interested, Jodo training is at 7:00 pm (19:00 hrs) Mondays and Wednesdays at the MEAC.  See you there!

Eric

11th Annual Toowoomba Language and Cultures Festival

As the long shadows settled on Queen's Park yesterday, I was reflecting on how lucky we are to have opportunities such as the TLCF to share our passions with the wider Toowoomba community on what has always been a glorious August day. I'm currently on the USQ inter-campus bus putting this post together, feeling a little tired from yesterday's efforts, but feeling immensely grateful for the day and the folk I shared it with.  

We once again had an excellent position at the back of the USQ pavilion and across from the Language Teacher's Association pavilion, the weather was perfect, and the company excellent. This year we ran small training session in Jujutsu, Kendo, Systema, Fire and Flow, Iaido and Jodo, with Ray helping to coordinate Go in the Teacher's tent and Don Ouellette and his Brisbane-based students coming up to support us through Arnis. Dave Johnson also ran a short movement class to keep us mobile through the afternoon. And Dave, Ray and I completed out commitment to the push-up challenge. 

As I said to everyone at the end of the day, I look forward to the TLCF as a highlight of the calendar, not only because of the opportunity to train, but to share the day with the wonderful folk who are the Club and to interact with the broader public. 

So to everyone who assisted  — thank you. Tracy, Tony, Scott, Shane, Sean T., Sean C., Robert, Ray, Matt M., Matt G., Jade R., Geoff, Eric, Don, Dave, Dylan, and Brady. I was also really good to see absent friends drop past, whether is had been for a few weeks or a longer while. And a shout out to Sian who had to miss her first TLCF in eight years due to injury (NOT martial arts related, for the record). We all missed her steady presence, courage and humour. 

So the count down is on for next year, and we shall see if we can entice a few more widely scattered friends to come and celebrate what will be the Club's tenth festival. Till then, train hard, be save, and above all else, have fun!

Updated Information Regarding Go

As many of you may be aware, Raymond Undery has taken on the role of coordinating the game of Go. All community and club members are welcome to come along and give it a try. 

It is a board game where two players take turns placing stones on a grid, with the overall objective being to earn points through the possession of territory.

Go is officially run from 12:30 – 2:30pm every Tuesday in the Refectory. Additionally Go boards are often made available along with Chess boards during the USQ Chess Club’s meetup, being from 12 – 2pm on Wednesdays.
Games are held in the USQ refectory, Toowoomba campus. Generally at the seats near the coffee machine.

No Jujutsu this Saturday

Michael will not be able to run Jujutsu this Saturday as he will be traveling back from a special training session in Brisbane at the invite of the Club's Jodo group with Glen Henry Sensei. Instead, we will make sure that we have some particular sessions during our commitments at the Toowoomba Languages and Cultures Festival! 

Toowoomba Languages and Cultural Festival

It is that time of year again, and the Club will be flying its colours this Sunday at the 11th annual Toowoomba Languages and Cultures Festival. We will once again be demonstrating the breadth of activities that the Club supports, and as always, having an excellent day training with friends.  

Please let Michael know if you are free that day, and when. We will need folk for bump in (7.30 am at Queen's Park) and bump-out (4 pm then across to the MEAC to unload). And of course your availability throughout the day to put on the demos. We will need to organise appropriate entrance passes etc. 

This year we ought to have Don Ouellette and the Brisbane-based Arnisidors come to add movement and colour. And we might have Tom Johnson Sensei come to give us a hand with Iaido (TBC).  

There will not be any kendo training at the MEAC this week as a result.

I'll look forward to seeing many of you there on the day! 

Special training in memory of John Watton

This Saturday we held our special training session in memory of John, to commemorate his life and contribution to the Club. We held zazen  for him and started the class five minutes late in memory of his long days in the truck and heading straight to the dojo . 

We spend the session focusing on groundwork and grappling:  John's passion and one of his strengths, doing some of the drills he loved to do and finishing with some randori .

Vale   John! Your smile, generosity and presence are still missed on the mat.  

Thanks to all who sent their thoughts/apologies, who trained, and who gave the dojo  (especially the mats) a good scrub down before practice. Especially Scott, who literally was thrown into the deep end with his first ever jujutsu training session!

In memory of John Watton

It is hard to imagine, but today marks a year since John's untimely death. Our thoughts go out to everyone still feeling that loss, especially his wife Karyn and their son Sam.  

In a break from regular programming, this Saturday we will be holding a special training session at the MEAC concentrating on one of John's favourite parts of the jujutsu curriculum - groundwork and wrestling. I'd like to invite all members and friends to come along and participate in the session in memory of John. The session will run from 4-5.30 pm. Please let Michael know if you are intending to come along by Thursday.

Gym now at Anytime Fitness, Ruthven Street

A new month provides an easy opportunity to start fresh with your training. Brady and I have taken this to refocus on our ancillary training, building towards an expected opportunity to grade in Jujutsu within the next six months. 

Mostly driven by Brady's desire to have 24 hour gym access and an ability to continue training when out of town, we investigated a number of options and decided the best fit was to use the facilities at Anytime Fitness. We have been able to secure a corporate rate for BBRD members of $54.95 per month for a 12 month contract term, with no joining fee. If you are interested in taking up the offer you just need to let Holly the gym manger know that you are a BBRD member when you are signing up. You will still need to pay the fee for the door controller (around $69). 

Once the weather warms up and the outdoor pool opens again, we will be having a separate swim session at Milne Bay Aquatic Centre.  

BBRD T-shirt shop

With the August demonstration and seminar season about to start, now would be a great time to purchase a BBRD t-shirt and fly the Club colours.

You can direct order t-shirts from bbrd.printup.com.au  There have been a few issues with the interface over the past few weeks, but most of them have now been resolved. If you have difficulties or questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We have added a few new designs to the shop, including some t-shirts based on the discipline posters, and some tote bags to put your odds and sods in. You can even chose from a range of colours.

So check the store out, let us know what you think and order some t-shirts today!