Club Information

PRINCIPAL INSTRUCTOR: Graeme McConnell-Brown (Shihan) 5th Dan.

CHIEF INSTRUCTOR: Lincoln McConnell-Brown (Sensei) 4th Dan.

INCORPORATION: The club is a member dojo of Japanese Karate Academy Inc., an incorporated body under the provisions of the Associations Incorporation Act 1981 (Victoria). The Rules of Association are available to you through your instructor.

CLUB ORGANISATION: Whilst Japanese Karate Academy Inc. is the name of the club for purposes of incorporation, the club operates under the business name of Shúshin Kai Goju-Ryu Karate-do. The club is a Member Dojo of Ichikawa-ha Goju-ryu Karatedo Sosui-kai (Tsubamoto Sensei 10th Dan Kaicho), located in Tokyo, Japan.

KARATE STYLE: The club teaches Goju-Ryu Karate. Go-Ju means hard-soft: to be soft and yielding when your opponent is hard or attacking, and to be strong and powerful when he is soft or committed. Go-Ju also refers to how we live our lives on other levels. Sometimes we need to be mentally hard or strong to meet and overcome challenges and difficulties. Other times we need to be softer; we need to develop the skills of concentration, patience and effective listening. We need to be courteous, humble, caring and empathetic. Your study and dedicated practice of karate will develop these and many more aspects of your life.

TRAINING:Karate training emphasises fitness, stamina, and self-defence along with development and strengthening of character. Training typically involves basic callisthenics, karate movements and techniques, kata and several forms of sparring. The club places very strong emphasis on the practice of “bunkai”, the martial arts applications and techniques contained within the kata or forms. In addition to the regular training sessions, students also train privately at home, practising their techniques and kata as well as maintaining overall physical fitness.

PHILOSOPHY: Shúshin kai does not practice karate as a sport, but as an authentic budo style martial art. Shúshin Kai offers the opportunity to learn, grow, gain self-confidence and strength of character, along with a powerful self-defence capability. The club is non-contact, thus minimising injuries sustained in full contact versions of martial arts. However students are be taught how to apply their skills fully should the need for personal self-defence arise.

UNIFORM/PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT: The club will arrange for you to obtain a karate uniform (gi) and the necessary protective equipment. Only a full white traditional karate uniform may be worn whilst training although you may wear any loose fitting clothing such as a t-shirt and tracksuit pants when you first start lessons. It is expected that you will obtain the correct uniform and protective equipment soon after you begin karate training. Students need to obtain and use hand mitts and shin/instep protectors approved by the AKF and a mouth guard and for males, a groin guard. Arm guards are optional. It is not permitted to wear watches, jewellery or any sort of bracelet when training.

BADGES: Club badges will be made available to you when you pay your initial Membership fee and have a uniform. Additional badges are available for extra gi's, T-Shirts, tracksuits and so on.

ETIQUETTE : You will be expected to observe a small number of formalities and points of etiquette in the dojo. These will be explained to you by your instructor or senior students. The earliest etiquette to observe is to bow when entering and leaving the dojo. Courtesy and proper manners are expected. Instructors are to be addressed as “Shihan” or “Sensei”, and other Black Belts as “Sempai” at all times.

MEMBERSHIP FEES: These fees are payable when you join the club and are renewable every 12 months as shown on your Membership Card.

TRAINING BREAKS: All dojos operate through school holidays. No dojos are open on Public holidays. A break is taken over the Xmas/New Year period. Any other variations to training dates will be advised by your instructor.

MARTIAL ARTS ACCIDENT INSURANCE: Martial Arts accident Insurance is compulsory. The cost of insurance is included in the yearly Membership fee.

Please note: All fees and insurance must be up to date to attend classes, undertake grading tests or participate in other club activities.

ACCREDITED INSTRUCTORS: Your instructors are accredited as Sports Coaches through the Confederation of Australian Sport, or hold tertiary qualifications in Physical education.

GRADINGS: Regular gradings are held each year, and providing you have trained regularly (In the kyu grades a minimum of 20 lessons between gradings) and made the necessary progress you will be permitted to attend the grading examination. Students commence as white belts and progress through the grades or Kyu's to Black Belt. As you progress, various belt colours are used to indicate your grade. Certificates are issued upon successfully passing each grading test.

JUNIOR GRADINGS: During the year, if appropriate, informal gradings are held for junior students to recognise their progress, which is signified by coloured bars on their white belt. When the junior student has progressed to achieve a Black Bar on their belt (having passed the 4 junior grading levels), they will be able to progress to a full grading and if appropriate, attend the senior class permanently.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION: Your Membership Application form enables us to keep track of our membership and to keep in contact with you in holiday periods. We pass much club communication by email, so please advise an email address if possible.

Throughout the year there are opportunities for additional karate training and supplementary fitness training. These include swimming, Body Combat, and running/fitness classes.

SOCIAL EVENTS/FUNDRAISING:- The club holds regular social events, to both raise money for club activities, and to provide a social alternative to karate classes. These events include barbeques, dinners, ten pin bowling, indoor cricket, beach volley ball and so on. Members and partners are encouraged to participate in these activities.

WEBSITE: Club members are encouraged to access the club’s website at www.goju.com.au This website contains a large selection of articles and information about the club as well as a photo album.