DOJO CLUB NEWSLETTER
2022 November / December
Hello Students & Families,
Please see below the latest upcoming club news & important information.
Please see below the latest upcoming club news & important information.
UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Tuesday 1st November |
Melbourne Cup Public Holiday (No Classes) |
Sunday 27th November |
2022 Student Awards Family BBQ |
Saturday 3rd December |
Senior Grading (3rd Kyu & above) |
Sunday 4th December |
Club Grading (white to purple) |
Saturday 10th December |
Children's Grading Presentations |
Thursday 22nd December |
Last Day of Classes 2022 |
Monday 16th January |
Return To Classes 2023 |
Sunday 22nd January |
2023 Class Enrolment Form Deadline |
December Gradings
In just over a month's time we will be having our last cycle of gradings for 2022. The initial grading assessments began this week and invitations will begin to be sent out to students from next week. The December gradings will begin with our first senior grading at Laverton dojo for students grading to 3rd kyu or above on Saturday 3rd December at 2pm. This will be followed by our club grading for all other students grading up to 4th kyu. Those students who have been invited although cannot make the December date for their grading, will have opportunity to grade next year at the next grading cycle. |
2022 Student Awards Family BBQ
It has been three long years since our last Student Awards BBQ! This year we will be celebrating all students young and old with the return of the Student Awards Family BBQ. When: Sunday 27th November 2022 Where: Curlew Park Epsom Street, Laverton Who: All Students (adults & children) and their families are welcome! What to bring: A plate of food with labelled ingredients (salad or dessert) Drinks, sausages, bread & sauces are provided by us 😊 Please complete the RSVP form no later than 18th November Time: 10am to 1pm RSVP: 18th November CLICK HERE Awards voted by the instructors include Most Improved Student for each class level (children) Student of the Year for each class level (children) Overall Junior of the Year (children) Young Adult of the Year Adult of the Year Senior of the Year Competitor of the Year Junior Leadership Award Ippon Karate Academy High Achievement Award |
STUDENT PERSONAL EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS
As with any sport, personal equipment is a requirement for participation and to support a safer environment for students and staff, all students training at the dojo will require their own sparring equipment. Students who do not have their own equipment will be limited in what they can participate in during classes. In some lessons, students who do not have the required equipment may be asked to observe rather than participate. If you haven’t organised your equipment, please do so as soon as possible at reception as we don’t want anyone to miss out on all the learning and fun during sparring class components. Below is the required equipment for each belt level and all equipment items can be fitted/sized and purchased from dojo reception Students White to Yellow Belt: Mouth guard & WKF approved sparring gloves Students Orange Belt & Above: WKF Sparring gloves, shin pads, mouth guard and groin guard (for males) Please ensure mouth guards have been fitted! Watch the quick & easy video tutorial on how to fit your mouthguard Click Here For Tutorial Video |
Rebranding News
Last month we announced we announced the exciting news that our dojo would be rebranding from Samurai Karate Laverton
and moving forward from 1st December 2022, we will be an independent club and known as Ippon Karate Academy.
We held a club meeting on the 7th of October to answer questions families may of had, and from that meeting the below was answered.
Why the name Ippon Karate Academy?
This name has been chosen as a representation of how karate can improve one's life in all aspects.
'Ippon' being the highest point scored in competition
We really value the life lessons that karate teaches us and with this name our slogan will be “Reach your highest potential”
Will there Be Changes With Staff or Instructors?
There will be no changes to the staff and the instructors will remain the same with their regular classes and shifts for remainder of 2022.
Will the club have memberships or affiliations to Governing bodies?
We are currently finalising the process of becoming direct member to state body Karate Victoria
and the Australian Karate Federation for State & National body compliance and competition pathways
Will students grading for black belt be recognised by Japan?
Ensuring pathways for our black belts and senior students was one of our highest priories
with deciding to become independent from Samurai Karate.
After a lot of thought into this, we have sort membership to the Shito-ryu Shukokai Union
as this organisation has a large local and international community connected through membership.
The Shito-ryu Shukokai Union Oceania is led by Chief Instructor and Australian National Kata Coach
Shihan Stephen Kelly, 7th Dan, Kyoshi. Sensei Stephen has trained exclusively with the
founder of Shito-ryu Shukokai, Sensei Tani (10th Dan), as well as Sensei Yamada (10th Dan).
Sensei Steve continually visits Japan to train with World Shito-ryu Shukokai International Instructor,
Sensei Ishitobi Hanshi (8th Dan)
For more information please visit www.shukokaiunion.com.au
How will these changes effect gradings?
Club gradings will continue in the same format as they currently run with four a year
being held in March, June, September & December
Senior gradings from 3rd Kyu up to Shodan Ho (probationary black belt) will be held at our club
with two a year and held around June & December
Black belt grading will also be held under the Shito-ryu Shukokai Union in Victoria with recognition by SSU in Japan.
There will be opportunity to grade with Stephen Kelly & Ishitobi sensei interstate and internationally
or those senior students who are interested in taking that pathway.
What other changes will families see?
Branding will change throughout the dojo on posters and signage indoors.
Badges: We will have new badges made for student uniforms and we will provide these to students
Signage: Building signage will be changed to our new name & logo
Club Email address: new email addresses including [email protected] & [email protected]
The [email protected] email address will be forward to our [email protected]
Club Website: The website address will change to www.ipponkarate.com although the www.karatelaverton.com
will still take you to the ipponkarate.com website.
The webpages we currently have on the Samurai Karate website are not managed by us and will not be accessible in the future.
Club Tracksuits: Samples have been ordered and hopefully arrive before the Christmas break
There is a display folder with a preview of some of the branding changes in reception for students and members to view.
If you have any other questions about the club rebranding, please feel welcome to send an email or come and chat with us at reception 😊
Last month we announced we announced the exciting news that our dojo would be rebranding from Samurai Karate Laverton
and moving forward from 1st December 2022, we will be an independent club and known as Ippon Karate Academy.
We held a club meeting on the 7th of October to answer questions families may of had, and from that meeting the below was answered.
Why the name Ippon Karate Academy?
This name has been chosen as a representation of how karate can improve one's life in all aspects.
'Ippon' being the highest point scored in competition
We really value the life lessons that karate teaches us and with this name our slogan will be “Reach your highest potential”
Will there Be Changes With Staff or Instructors?
There will be no changes to the staff and the instructors will remain the same with their regular classes and shifts for remainder of 2022.
Will the club have memberships or affiliations to Governing bodies?
We are currently finalising the process of becoming direct member to state body Karate Victoria
and the Australian Karate Federation for State & National body compliance and competition pathways
Will students grading for black belt be recognised by Japan?
Ensuring pathways for our black belts and senior students was one of our highest priories
with deciding to become independent from Samurai Karate.
After a lot of thought into this, we have sort membership to the Shito-ryu Shukokai Union
as this organisation has a large local and international community connected through membership.
The Shito-ryu Shukokai Union Oceania is led by Chief Instructor and Australian National Kata Coach
Shihan Stephen Kelly, 7th Dan, Kyoshi. Sensei Stephen has trained exclusively with the
founder of Shito-ryu Shukokai, Sensei Tani (10th Dan), as well as Sensei Yamada (10th Dan).
Sensei Steve continually visits Japan to train with World Shito-ryu Shukokai International Instructor,
Sensei Ishitobi Hanshi (8th Dan)
For more information please visit www.shukokaiunion.com.au
How will these changes effect gradings?
Club gradings will continue in the same format as they currently run with four a year
being held in March, June, September & December
Senior gradings from 3rd Kyu up to Shodan Ho (probationary black belt) will be held at our club
with two a year and held around June & December
Black belt grading will also be held under the Shito-ryu Shukokai Union in Victoria with recognition by SSU in Japan.
There will be opportunity to grade with Stephen Kelly & Ishitobi sensei interstate and internationally
or those senior students who are interested in taking that pathway.
What other changes will families see?
Branding will change throughout the dojo on posters and signage indoors.
Badges: We will have new badges made for student uniforms and we will provide these to students
Signage: Building signage will be changed to our new name & logo
Club Email address: new email addresses including [email protected] & [email protected]
The [email protected] email address will be forward to our [email protected]
Club Website: The website address will change to www.ipponkarate.com although the www.karatelaverton.com
will still take you to the ipponkarate.com website.
The webpages we currently have on the Samurai Karate website are not managed by us and will not be accessible in the future.
Club Tracksuits: Samples have been ordered and hopefully arrive before the Christmas break
There is a display folder with a preview of some of the branding changes in reception for students and members to view.
If you have any other questions about the club rebranding, please feel welcome to send an email or come and chat with us at reception 😊