Getting ready for the new Academic year

As I mentioned last week, the first of the Club's commitments for the academic year will be on Thursday 23 February for O-Week Market Day.  

We will be out in the Quad once more just in front of C block and under the shade of the trees. Could you please let us know your availability on that day. We will require assistance setting up around 8 am, packing up around 3.30 pm, and of course bodies to do demonstrations throughout the day, folk to engage with the community and take details of those interested in doing things with he Club. This will be especially important from 10 am – 2 pm when the biggest numbers of people wash through.

It would be worth contemplating getting Club t-shirts for both the day and for training. You can order them directly from bbrd.printup.com.au 

Remember to look at the "Uniform" and well as the "Art shirts" as we have new designs for Arnis, Systema and a general white Club shirt as well as some of our other designs. Also, the more you order, of course, the less the shipping cost per t-shirt, so you may want to go in combination with a few of you to reduce the overall cost. And it would be worth doing so soon, as the least expensive shipping option still has an up to 10 day turn around time for delivery. 

We will be continuing to spend some time this week polishing our demonstration items, so please be prompt and attentive at class this week and next! 

Jodo inter-dojo training

Hello All,

It's time for the jodo inter-dojo training to start up for the new year. We will be starting off this weekend (February 4th) at 10:00 am at Chushinkan Dojo in Brisbane (see What's On calendar for location). We're negotiating on further places and dates for following inter-dojo training, so stay tuned (both on the blog and on the What's On calendar)

Eric

The month ahead

With only four weeks till the start of Semester 1, we are all in full preparation mode for the University year ahead. I want to wish everyone who is currently in the last stages of Semester 3 study all the best with final examinations and assignments. 

As always, the Club will be participating in the Orientation week Market day on Thursday 23 February. We have been allocated our regular position in the Quad opposite C block, and we will use the day to once again promote what we do and have fun training while doing so! 

At this stage, we are planning a trip to train at the Kenshinkai, Brisbane on the morning of Saturday 11 February (kendo, with iaido TBC). Additionally, we hope to have training opportunities with Tom Johnson sensei after his recent trip to WA, Glen Henry sensei as part of an ongoing program to assist SMR Jodo practitioners, and Don Ouellette sensei. 

We will also be holding an Executive meeting in the next fortnight, so please let the various representatives know if there is an issue or event you wish to be addressed in that forum.  

Updating the member database

As part of our ongoing efforts to ensure that the information we have about our members is secure and accurate, we will be sending out an email this week to ask that you check over your current information that we have on the system (so no, this wil not be phishing or spam — if in doubt please ask Michael at the dojo). These will be sent to your currently registered e-mail address, so if you do not receive an e-mail by weeks end, please let me know and we can manually enter the information into the system at the dojo. Also check your "Spam" folder, as the e-mail might be misidentified. 

One thing that we will be adding is a record of your USQ student or staff number. We would like your number even if you are not currently studying or working at USQ, as this is a permenant identifier (we will note your current status on our records).

For those of you who have never studied or worked at USQ, we will come up with your own Club number in its place. In addition, we will be creating Club membership cards so that you can better access Club benefits, such as discounted access to Anytime Fitness gyms. 

Jujutsu — Planning for the week ahead

This week marks our monthly transition from one training focus to the next, specifically from self defense and weapons work to a focus on striking and seizing. Given that, could I ask that folk please bring in their bag mitts to training from Thursday, and shin/instep protectors if you have them.  

In addition, please bring along an old t-shirt (preferable a light colour) you don't mind getting marked up to Tuesday training, as we will spend one last hurrah for the month looking at knife and razor work/defense. If you have eye protection, bring that along too as I will only have a limited number of glasses/goggles to share.  

Jodo training last week (16th-18th)

Hello All,

Last week Sensei Adrian Knight was in Toowoomba for Jodo training on Monday night's session and for an additional training time on Tuesday. Advanced insights into the kehone and kata were covered. It was good to see Sensei Adrian again after his nearly two year time living in Japan.

There is the possibility for Sensei Adrian to come and participate in Jodo sometime in February...stay tuned, dates will be announced. Also the inter-dojo Jodo training day will be coming around again and an announcement will be made once a day is settled upon.

Eric

Training times this week.

There are some variations to the regular training schedule now that school is back and we have the Australia Day public holiday on Thursday. 

First, there will be no formal training on Thursday evening due to the holiday, though we may have an impromptu training session for various arts that afternoon depending on interest.  

Second, kendo will now only be on Sunday morning, starting at 10 am until we find an alternative venue to restore mid-week training. Sian and I are looking at a few alternatives this week to see if we can find something that meets our needs. However, I would ask that everyone keep an eye out and let us know if you have a lead on something that may suit. Effectively, we are looking for a minimum of 120 square meters of floor space with sufficient ceiling height and a sprung/wooden floor.

Jodo training 16-19 January

Hello All,

Jodo will have extra training sessions this week in addition to its regular training times. We will be having extra sessions on Tuesday and Thursday (times to be announced).

In addition, Sensei Adrian Knight will be joining us for training on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

Eric

Last week of school holidays

While it seems that summer will continue to have a sting for some time, this week marks the last full week before school returns for the new academic year. This will mean that we will have to once again put away our training surface and accouterments each night, and make our contributions to the shared facility of the MEAC. It will also mean that there will have to be inevitable changes to the Kendo timetable, as we will no longer have easy access to the MEAC of an afternoon due to the Extend After Hours program. 

The first order is some housekeeping — we will take the opportunity this Saturday to do a very thorough clean of the MEAC from 2 pm, including our tatami and the storage room. I would like as many hands on deck as available to ensure that we can be as thorough as required.  

Second, we will need to again look in earnest for a facility to hold kendo practice, as a single Sunday session is insufficient to maintain the training momentum, particularly if we are keen to send competitors to the Australian University Games this year. Can I ask that everybody keep a look out for potential venues. In order of priority, we require somewhere with sufficient ceiling clearance and a safe surface (sprung floor ideal) and of sufficient size (minimum of 120 square meters). 

So I'll look forward to seeing many of you through this week!