Hambleton Week 1

We were keen to start training at Hambleton as early as possible, despite it being the start of the school holidays. Unfortunately both Sensei Andy and myself were not able to get there, so it was down to Becks to step up to the mark.
I think she was glad to see that Senpai Ian was there, even though he was happy to let her teach and he joined in with the training.
Beck's started with normal warm ups and went onto kihon, half steps forward and back with blocks, punches and kicks.
The session was finished off with kata Heian Shodan and Nidan. As a relatively inexperienced instructor Rebecca probably pitched it just right. She taught the basics she has done with Sensei Kato, session after session and with a small but mixed group of grades focused on techniques and kata that they were experienced in.
Hopefully it will boost Rebecca's confidence in instructing and was an enjoyable session for our members.
Hope to see you all this Wednesday.

27th April - IJKA Irish Open

I was hoping to be in Gibraltar training and then was committed to Facing Africa and the Sheffield 1/2 Marathon so I didn't go to Ireland.
Rebecca went on her own, she flew from Newcastle to Cork where Claire picked her up and kept an eye on her until Monday when she flew back.
She was a little apprehensive about competing in the 16 to 18 age group as she is only 16 and 1 month.
Rebecca WILL be posting further details but she was very pleased to come away with a third place in Kata and a second in Kumite.
Well done Becks.

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5/6th April B&B belt course - Whitchurch

Helen, Rebecca, Simon (from Haxby), Sensei Keith and myself travelled to Whitchurch.
I was very much under the weather but Helen, Simon and Rebecca managed to stay up to 5.30 in the morning drinking with those infamous Irish Karateka who always seem to lead us sobrietious English astray.
What Rebecca didn't know was Sensei Kato had decided to grade her for Shodan first thing Sunday morning.
Rebecca WILL be posting her experiences of grading, watch this space.....
The course had a focus on brown belts preparing for grading and on the 3rd and 4th Dans who were also tested with there knowledge of Kata and instruction.
Sensei had some encouraging words for Simon, a reflection of his efforts over the last 6 months, well done.

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Rebecca set for European Championships 2008

Above: Rebecca in Budapest in 2007

Rebecca has her sights on Italy in August and the IJKA European karate championships and has received a tremendous boost this weekend when a cheque for £550 arrrived in the post.

The Cheque was from the Goodricke Appeal Fund; that supports deaf young people inYork and North Yorkshire. Rebecca had sent details to The Goodricke Appeal fund via the hearing support team at Selby, they not only met the full projected cost, but also provide a little extra for some spending money.

Rebecca has to carefully balance studying for her exams in the summer and preparing for the championships. In preparation Rebecca hopes to compete in the Irish open Shotokan Championships on the 27th April 2008, because of school requirements it will have to be a flying visit flying to Cork on the Saturday and back early Monday morning. Rebecca will have just turned sixteen and will have to compete in the under 19 catogries, this may prove to be a big step up.

Rebecca would like to publicaly thank the Goodricke Appeal Fund and the support that she has recieved from Pauline Leddy from the Hearing Support Team at Selby over the last Seven years.

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