Over the last few months, world news has been filling headlines so I’ve waited until now to share a few thoughts and updates.
Starting with summer school, it was phenomenal event with a superb venue, it was well attended and excellent aikido. We plan on returning to Nottingham next year and will consider feedback around accommodation, we’d also like to see more beginners and kyu grades attend next year. It’s worth pointing out the UKA leverage membership fees to subsidise Summer School, it’s a great way to make use of your membership fees.
Every Summer School we run the AGM, this year it involved a lot of pizza and open discussion. We’re really pleased to announce Richard Hughes as the new UKA General Secretary and Guy’s generous offer to continue supporting the UKA with his knowledge and experience.
Moving to other events, either side of summer school we had a grading preparation course (for students to gain objective feedback on their readiness to grade) and an instructor’s course just outside London, again very well attended with 20 or so teachers. Brilliant work by the Technical Committee running these events. Try to get on the next grading prep course if you can!
Regarding committees, the admin committee are looking for help with 3 new roles of a social media person to manage socials, a comms person to write messages and a club liaison officer to bridge the gap between committees and clubs. If any of these roles interest, then please get in touch.
We’re now seeing more clubs make use of the ‘paid visit’ scheme where the UKA centrally pay time and expenses of Shihan and Shildoin visiting our member clubs. Clubs are using the scheme to reduce the cost of a visiting teacher, making it more cost effective to run events when costs seem to be going up everywhere else.
Finally, our Executive Committee have approved a £1000 budget to help advertise UKA clubs in the coming months. All club leaders have been contacted and most will be part of the campaign due to start in the new year.
Lots happening, any thoughts or ideas then let me know: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.