Instructor Class - Priory Sports Centre – 24/01/10
Under the direction of Chief Instructor Mick Dewey, the SEKU Senior instructors Mervyn O’Donnell and Brian Smith, Technical Panel members Alan Lewis and Mark Elliott, along with Stacey Crowe (Squad Kata Coach) Steve Hollister (Squad Kumite Coach) and Terry Oliver (Team Squad Manager) met at the Mountbatten Centre to prepare for the upcoming Instructor Class. The reason was to discuss and agree the homogeny and ratification of the Heian Kata.
Since its inauguration under the leadership of Mick Dewey SEKU has aligned itself to the Japan Karate Association (JKA) initially and up until his sad death under the guidance of Sensei Kenosuki Enoeda and have chosen to continue along this path. Although we have no direct connection to it, we continue to use the JKA for reference.
SEKU Clubs Instructors and their assistants attended the first Instructor class of 2010. The individual attendance was good although some instructors were unable to make it through personal reasons and others chose not to.
The theme throughout the class was to pass on the findings and agreements of the previous meeting at the Mountbatten Centre - the ratification and standardization of Shotokan Heian Kata. The class proved to be very interesting and four hours of intense study and practice followed. Sensie Mick Dewey led the class with each Kata movement demonstrated by the SEKU Team Squad Kata Coach Stacey Crowe. Each Kata movement was broken down, meticulously explained and studied until class members were sure of and fully understood how the teachers wanted it performed and taught to their members. It is planned that future classes will revisit the Heian and that further study be directed toward the Brown belt kata. In time the more advanced Kata will also be covered in the same manner. At the conclusion of the class Sensei Mick Dewey thanked Stacey Crowe for his demonstration and explanation of the kata movements.
Unbeknown to Stacey who was under close scrutiny from the Senior Instructors and his performance during the class was adding up to his promotion in rank. Finally, for his contribution to SEKU over the years and his continuous study of karate, Sensei Mick Dewey awarded him his 5th Dan.
The award was well overdue and proved to be hugely popular – a standing ovation was given by all those present.