Welsh Bushi-Kai Karate Association

Saturday 17th July 2010 is a day that Rob Copeland, Chief Instructor of Vale Karate (VOGKO), will long remember.
To mark his 50th Birthday, friends and family gathered in Barry to celebrate with Rob at a surprise party organised by his devoted wife, Cathy. Rob was then left truly stunned when a presentation was made to award him his 6th Dan.
Nigel Taylor began proceedings with a speech outlining Robs’  karate career to date, from competitor to coach. Rob was then presented with his 6th Dan Certificate in recognition of his services not only to Vale Karate but to Welsh Karate in general. 

Rob, and his Vale Karate group have been loyal friends and supporters of the Welsh Bushi-Kai ( and of Shihan Ritchie Noblett)  for many years and the Welsh Bushi-Kai would like to congratulate Rob on being awarded his 6th Dan, which was fully merited and deserved.

Congratulations to all our students who passed their grade examinations yesterday.  The Course & Grading went smoothly and as usual the standard was very high. The venue for the event was the Hengwrt Sports Hall, in Briton Ferry – a last minute change, after the Cwrt Herbert Sports Hall became unavailable.

As always we would like to thank all the Dan Grades for assisting the examiners throughout the day, and thanks also to the parents and families who attended to support the students. 

 
Passes by grade were as follows: 18 Red, 2 Yellow, 9 Orange, 5 Green, 3 Blue, 9 Purple. In addition 27 Students attended the course only in preparation for future gradings.
Photo Album of the grading has been added to the 2010 Photo page
NEXT GRADING: Sunday November 14th

Association Kyu Grade Course and Grading – July 18th – Venue Change:

Cwrt Herbert Sports Centre contacted us this morning to inform us that their hall was double booked for this sunday and we have had to change the venue for our Grading. We have been offered the use of an alternative [ if smaller ] hall in Briton Ferry.  After visiting the hall, and accepting it as adequate for our needs, we can confirm that the grading will now take place at Hengwrt Sports Hall in Briton Ferry (Postcode  sa11 2un) . Directions at bottom of page
Please be advised that the Gradings may take a little longer than normal.

Association Kyu Grade course and grading ( plus 4th Kyu & above course) will start at 10am. Doors open at 9.30am.
There is a cold drinks vending service on site but no food available. The Association shop will be set up in the hall selling belts only. Anyone requiring Gi’s, Tracksiuts etc can order them on the day. 
To see a map and to download directions  to the sports hall.  click on the links below.

[View Map]         [Download]

The association would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused by the short notice of the venue change.

Today it was the turn of the Junior members of our squad to compete and we can report that they did themselves and the association proud.  Some great performances, against top quality opposition, saw the WBK win Silver and Bronze medals. Well done to everyone who represented the Welsh Bushi-Kai.

Tom Hole – Silver – 7/9 yrs (open)
Becky Hole – Bronze – 12/13 yrs (+35kg girls)
Jack Jones – Bronze – 12/13 yrs (+45kg boys)
James O’Leary – Top 8 – 7/9 yrs  (open)

Our congratulations also to the VALE, BWKA & WKK squads on their efforts and well done to their medallists.

Good news from Scotland on the first day of the British International Open championships. The WBK fighters have performed with their usual level of commitment, winning Team Bronze , Individual Silver and two Top 8 finishes.

WBK Team ( Mark, Greg & Jordan ) – Bronze……..losing to the Egyptian National team in the semi.
Jordan Harris – U18 yrs, Silver
Amy Nicholas – U16 yrs, Top 8
Mark McMahon – Senior Mens, Top 8

Good Luck to the Welsh Bushi-Kai fighters who are travelling up to Scotland this weekend to compete in the British International Open Karate Championships. This WKF sanctioned event is one of the major tournaments of the 2010 karate calendar, with competitors from all over europe in attendance as well as a strong entry from Australia.
Unfortunately several of our Senior fighters have had to withdraw due to injury or work commitments. No doubt that those who are making the journey up to Glasgow will give their usual 100% effort.

Squad Members attending are:
Seniors:  Mark McMahon, Greg Ryan
U18 yrs:  Jordan Harris
Juniors: Amy Nicholas, Tom Hole, Nic Hole, Rebecca Hole, Jack Jones, Tom O’Leary &  James O’Leary

Kumite Coach: Nigel Taylor

WBK Development Competition – Sunday 29th August [Bank Hol weekend]
The Association is holding a closed competition for our younger members ( Under 16 years only ).
The competition will take place at Marks dojo in Gilfach Goch and will begin at 9.30am.
Entry forms will be sent out in the next few weeks. The categories will be Kata and individual Kumite.
Entries will be £5 each individual per category.  Spectators £1 each.
Your help on the day will be appreciated.
Following the competition there will be a BBQ and fun day which will be held in Cwmavon at the Welfare club.

The following students have been registered for the next Dan grading:-

Junior  1st Dan
Sam Croft,  Corey Kingdom, Megan Taylor, Callum Clatworthy, Mica Davies, Ellis Southall, Courtney Bartlett & Ellis Waters

Senior 1st Dan
Tom Barnes

3rd Dan
Rhys Edwards

All candidates will be subject to ongoing assessment as to whether they will be allowed to attempt their Dan grading as well as successfully completing the customary Dan Grade Assessment ( date to be advised ).

Earlier today, the Welsh Bushi-Kai sent a very small squad to Walsall to compete in the Central England Wado Championships.
Squad members in attendance were: Mark McMahon, Ryan Phillips, Holly Carey, Jenna Evans and Jess Force.
Congratulations to Holly on winning Gold in the Junior Grade Ladies kumite and to Mark and Ryan ( along with a guest fighter from Paul Campbells ) who won the Senior Mens Team.

WKGB Coaching Qualification:

At the Association kyu gradings on 18th July,  Mark McMahon [ the Association assessor ] will be doing the practical assessment side of the qualification. The theory part of the assessment will take place at a later date. All WBK members who wish to attain their qualification should therefore attend the July Gradings.

There will be changes to various web pages on this site during the next few days.  Photos have been collected and are being sorted before being added.

Today  – June 14th – new photos have been added to the “Shihan Page” and the first of many albums has been added to “Shihans’ Gallery” page. This first album has some very rare photos of Ritchie as a White belt in the early 1960’s.