INSTRUCTORS ANNUAL DINNER
March saw the top UKASKO/UKMAF instructors for 2011 come together in Warrington for the Associations Annual Dinner and also to celebrate 50 years of Karate by our Chairman Hanshi Roy Stanhope 9th Dan.
Video of the Event
Instructors from all over England and Wales enjoyed a three course meal organised by Shihan Kevin Barlow of North West Shukokai. The venue chosen was The Encore Hotel in Warrington.
It was a time to reflect on the olden days, as Roy told tales of days gone by and how things have changed over the years. It was amazing to see what conditions students trained under is those days, as he produced a black and white photo of himself training in what can only be described as a Spittoon hut with steel girders holding the roof up.
Roy Stanhope presented Andy Owen with an Outstanding
Achievement Award, and Level 1 Coaching Certificate
awarded by Kevin Barlow.
Roy is obviously passionate about the Martial arts and as a Shukokai man myself, I could see in his eyes the solid roots he has in Shukokai as he became ever so animated when explaining his experience in the major karate styles that he had been involved in. He also gave us an insight as to what it was like competing against much taller opponents in the days when there was no such thing as height/weight categories.
Roy spoke fondly of working with the likes of Ticky Donovan, Eugene Coddrington, Vic Charles, Steve Arneil and Brian Hammond, when he was the England manager. He told us about how saddened he was when Shukokai split into various groups. Nevertheless, it was clear that Roy still held admiration for what Kimura did for Shukokai in the UK.
After the meal, Roy proceeded to award the top instructor trophies which this year proved to be a change from the norm. The Top Ten instructors were awarded with beautifully crafted bronze samurai figurines.
Steve Langbridge receiving his 5th Dan certificate.
Roy Stanhope being presented with a crystal salver by
Kevin Barlow to commemorate 50 years in the Martial Arts.