Held on Sunday 15th May 2011 at the Fleming Park Sports Center in Eastleigh. The fund raising course was primarily organised by Nigel Hopkins 2nd Dan (Sensei of the Eastleigh Club) and assisted by Merv O'Donnell 7th Dan (Sensei of the Portchester Karate Club). To maximise the amount of money going to the Tsunami appeal the Fleming Park Sports Center management very kindly allowed the free use of the hall facility.
Course students. |
From the inception of the idea it was appreciated that the course would have to fit into an already packed agenda of activities. Both for the instructors and the potential students alike. It was therefore commendable that 36 karateka from various Shotokan clubs came together for the session and donated £450. This is not the final figure as a number of people, unable to attend the course, made donations and the total donated is hoped to reach at least £800.
Following on from the recent course held over the Easter period in Holland, Sensei's Nigel and Merv followed a similar format with Sensei Merv looking at various Kata Bunkai (suitable for all grades) and Sensei Nigel applying restraint and control techniques.
Applying leg blocks from kata. |
Sensei Nigel demonstrating. |
Sensei Merv explaining a point. |
Working with two groups meant no Kia's! - well that was the idea. |
Mick and Elliot of Portchester getting stuck in. |
Students from white belts up to | Sensei Faye Cappleman 4th dan |
Nigel reading an appropriate poem during Mokuso |
Some of the Portchester contingent. |
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