Whitley Karate Club

Sad news this week of the death of Ray Richardson Snr.
Ray founded the Reading School of Karate with my Doug Bell and was responsible for bringing many of the Top UKKW Japanese Instructors to Reading.
He ran by far the biggest Karate Club in Reading for many years.
Condolences to Ruby, Ray Jnr, Rosalind, Roddy and Robin and the extended Richardson family.
We never took many photos back in the day but I found one or two interesting ones

Peter

Peter

Great turn out for the Peter Spanton Memorial course in Ware, Hertfordshire on Saturday 21st August. Over 60 training from England and Wales plus visitors and old friends spectating.
A great atmosphere and different Higashi Senior grades passing on their knowledge and skills.
Special mention for Sue Skinner who organised the event which we hope will be an Annual one from now on.

Hot and sweaty tonight

English Karate Federation LTD

Dear members and colleague’s

No doubt you have been listening to the governments announcements regarding the Road map out of lockdown. The full implications for our sport and activity is not yet known. A full announcement will follow in the coming days.
However, we are hopeful that we will be allowed to return to outdoor training by the end of March, followed by the opening of our Clubs/ Dojos by mid-April.
Our initial feeling is training will be socially distanced and non-contact. Though, we are hopeful we will be given greater permissions
We ask members to remain patient while we seek confirmation from Sport England and Government.

Steve Coupland
EKF President

English Karate Federation LTD

**Important Regional and National training update**

In order for students to be able to participate in either Regional or National training session please note that a valid EKF license is required. If licenses have expired then we would urge you to make contact with your Association Licensing Officer.

Funeral notice for Mr Peter Albert Spanton

dignityfunerals.co.uk Mr Peter Albert Spanton sadly passed away on Monday, 23rd November 2020. Details of the funeral date and arrangements are available here on their Funeral Notice page.

RIP Peter Spanton our Instructor, mentor and friend

[11/23/20]   It is with great sadness that the EKF has learnt of the passing of Peter Spanton Sensei.

Peter was one of English Karate's original pioneers, and a great supporter of the EKF and previous NGB's. He was the founder of Higashi karate which over the years has produced many champions.

The EKF send our condolences to Peter's Family, friends, and students. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.

[10/02/20]   Hi all,
Good to see everyone back training in the hall and everyone observing the social distancing rules.
Please remember if any of you have symptoms or are tested positive inform us straight away so we can put into place guidance methods for COVID.

We also have to go cashless so I will ask all regular members to set up DD for the Club, most clubs do this anyway,
The cost is £20 per month for Adults £16 for kids, Family groups please contact us for details.

Please private message me for bank details and once it is done, many thanks.
The Whitley hall is still not ready we will inform you as soon as we have any news.

Cheers

Steve

[09/28/20]   New guidelines for training, please read carefully

Hi AII,
I hope you have all kept well and safe since we last all met!
Good news! We are now able to resume classes back at the Kennet Valley Social Club from Wednesday the 30th of August. Club times are 7.00pm to 9.30pm. Juniors and adults will train separately. Juniors train from 7.00-8.00pm, and adults 8.15-9.45pm.
We do not yet have a date to return to training at Whitley Youth & Community Centre.
Training will be with a slight difference as we now have to follow some strict guide lines to ensure everyone attending can train safely.
Depending on attendance we may need to review the maximum attending number possible, but should be able to set out a safe distancing and training program to suit.
Karate Gi's to be worn.
To comply with the English Karate Federation guidelines and our health and safety assessment provided to the Holy Brook Centre in order to use the facility:
All members must follow the following safety procedures at all times.
Trainers to be worn in the dojo ... No bare feet.
Ideally if you have separate footwear to travel in to and from the dojo and another pair to use in the dojo this will keep the training area cleaner and dry in bad weather when entering the dojo.
Please arrive changed and ready to train, with a track suit top over Gi preferred. There are NO changing facilities available on site.
Put your equipment etc. in a place at least 6 ft from other people If you have a training mat please bring it for floor exercises
Gi to be cleaned between sessions.
All members and parents must be checked in on entering the dojo and provide name and contact details if not already held by the club. This is for the track and trace guidelines.

Family groups can congregate together but others must stay separate as much as possible
Anyone entering the dojo must give a basic health declaration of having no current COVID-19 related symptoms, or that you or any members of your shared household have had symptoms in the last 14 days. If so you must avoid training / entering the dojo to spectate.
All members are advised to have their own sterile cleaning gel.
On entering and exiting the dojo all members and parents are required to socially distance. Training markers will be set out and those using seating should observe appropriate distancing.
To avoid using cash where possible, if any members want to pay monthly this is fine and a credit will be carried forward to the next month for any missed sessions. We are investigating taking contactless payment.
All training will be zero contact.
No sharing of any equipment I.E. the club’s hand and shin protectors cannot be used at this time.
Any pad work or BOB/punch bag training can only involve those with their own hand mitts.
Hand focus pads will be cleaned after each use.
At this time No Ki-ai when training – this also means shouting. This is to reduce projecting droplets over a wider space.
Where possible we will ensure good ventilation and keep doors open.
Please make every effort to follow these guidelines and keep safe and help to keep those around us safe as well.
Be great to see you all again! Whitley HKK
Full members of the English Karate Governing Body

[09/13/20]   Sorry guys moving into my new place this weekend and can’t make the session. Colin is out too!
Will be there next week

[07/27/20]   Hi folks,
Training outside on Wednesday evening at 7pm, Prospect Park, by Honey End Lane car park, social distancing rules will be observed.
Wear sports kit/tracksuits
Hope to see you all there

[07/22/20]   Sorry guys froze right at the end, good session I enjoyed it, a classic Wado-Ryu Kata night!!!

[07/19/20]   Good session today folks, time flies by!!!
Thanks for your attendance

[07/08/20]   Hi all, due to bad weather neither Colin or I can get on tonight, if you want to do a session yourselves feel free, we will see you on Sunday

[06/24/20]   Don’t forget 7pm tonight,
It’s going to be warm so make sure you have a drink nearby,
Today’s Kata

Jitte

Meeting ID: 767 456 4866
Password: 1MsKHt

[06/19/20]   Sunday Zoom sessions have now been brought forward to 10am

[06/15/20]   Whitley Karate Club and HKK fully support the statement released by the EKF.

The EKF strongly condemns discrimination of any kind and will strive to ensure that Karate in England is both diverse and inclusive. We are proud to be the representative body of such a diverse Federation. We are dedicated to promoting equality and valuing the diversity within the EKF and the members we serve.

We as a nation are facing testing times, as recent events have again highlighted that Racism and inequality continues to be an issue within our society. It has opened wounds and scars of many of our members that have had to suffer at the hands of the evil just because of the colour of their skin.

Karate has the power to break down barriers across communities and we remain deeply committed to removing all forms of discrimination from within Karate in England and Worldwide. We condemn wholeheartedly the murder of George Floyd at the hands of Minnesota Police and stand in full solidarity with the global #blacklivesmatter movement. We also stand in solidarity with all those who are unjustly treated because of their race or ethnicity and the EKF support the continued fight for justice and equality. We will strive to ensure that the EKF leads the way as we stand against racism with all our members.

[06/14/20]   Good session today well done all

[06/13/20]   Don’t forget Zoom session tomorrow at 12 midday

Meeting ID: 767 456 4866
Password: 1MsKHt

Kata of the day Wanshu

[05/27/20]   Today’s Karate session at 7pm

Meeting ID: 767 456 4866
Password: 1MsKHt

[05/20/20]   Today’s Karate session at 7pm

Gonna be hot!

Meeting ID: 767 456 4866
Password: 1MsKHt

[05/17/20]   Today’s Karate session at 12 midday

Meeting ID: 767 456 4866
Password: 1MsKHt

[05/13/20]   Thanks all for your continued support and hard work

[05/13/20]   Today’s Karate session at 7pm

Meeting ID: 767 456 4866
Password: 1MsKHt

[05/10/20]   Today’s Karate session at 12 Midday

Meeting ID: 767 456 4866
Password: 1MsKHt

See you there

[05/06/20]   Today’s Karate session at 7pm

Meeting ID: 767 456 4866
Password: 1MsKHt

See you there

[04/26/20]   Good session all hype you enjoyed it!