News 2020

Updated – 28th December 2020

News for the following can be found by clicking on the link
Gradings – Competitions – Merit Badges – Student Awards

For previous years Archive news please click on the following link Archive 2014 Archive 2015 Archive 2016 Archive 2017 Archive 2018 Archive 2019

1st Dan Grading

Due to my absence late in the year due to Covid Isolations, we had been preparing Ben Barley who joined in August for his 1st Dan grading. Video and lots of messages had been exchanged during lockdowns and isolations to prepare him ready for the grading. There was also much for me to think of, to adapt the grading slightly due to restrictions and after the grading I was pleased with the substitutes used to ensure Ben was challenged.

Again the grading was different with just 1 student grading so keeping atmosphere and motivation was key with no one to drive Ben onwards at his side. As usual Ben was asked to provide an essay which can be read here and also teach a class, all completed prior to the grading. The grading itself took around 2hrs 30mins with Ben completing all the techniques from the 1st Dan Syllabus and also some from previous syllabi. Ben was also asked many questions along the way to test his knowledge and performed all the Kata for the grade and some performed multiple times.

A well deserved pass and we look forward to how Ben develops in the future at JSKD.

Kyu Gradings

On the 19th December we held our first Kyu grading of the year at hamsteels, it was a strange grading with small groups spread over 5 hours which would under normal circumstances take us 2-3 hours to complete. Everyone performed briliantly well and I was particularly pleased with them and also their instructors for having them ready after a stop start year. We look forward to hopefully grading everyone who missed out over the first 3 month of 2021.

Open for under 18s only

Due to Covid Tier 3 restrictions we are open again to just under 18s with limited spaces. Any Tier changes will of course change the retsrictions and we will update when we know more.

Lockdown 2

Here we are again closing the clubs due to another lockdown, please keep an eye on facebook and emails whilst we work on training modules and maybe online training. Please keep training you have all done so well.

New Club opening in Darlington

We are excited to announce we have a new club opening in Dalrington at Whessoe Parish Hall on Thursdays 5:30 – 6:15pm and 6:30-7:15pm, with extra classes to be added based on interest starting on the 1st October. The classes will be ran by Sensei Jon Barley and Sensei David Pounds

Belmont and Jubilee Hall New Training Schedule

From the 1st September

Belmont – Tuesday max 30 per class
5:30 – 6:15pm
6:30 – 7:15pm
7:30 – 8:30pm with Brown belt and above class following if there is demand for 45 mins

Belmont – Sunday max 30 per class
5 – 6:30pm

Jubilee Hall – Thursday 8 spaces per class
6 – 7pm
7:15 – 8:15pm

Jubilee Hall – Sunday Black Belt class 8 spaces available
6:45 – 7:45pm

Willington Closure

I am really saddened to have to post this update, Due to COVID-19 the letting company for Parkside have gone into administration and the school only wants to open in their bubble come September.

Furthermore Sarah-Jayne has decided to close the club due to her working schedule changing post COVID and she can not commit to a day and time. Sarah-Jayne has the following message for her students, “I have enjoyed teaching you all and you will see me training still as and when I can”

We are of course working behind the scenes at what we maybe able to do to accommodate the students of the Willington club which we will update again ASAP when we have finalised. All are of course welcome to come and train at Belmont when we open in September.

Hamsteels New Training Schedule

Hamsteels new class times are as follows, class size is limited due to our COVID Secure Policy and all classes must be booked in advance with plenty notice given if you can not make class so it can be offered to another student.

Monday

Little Tigers – 16:30 – 17:15

Tigers – 17:30 – 18:15

Higher Grade Tigers and Seniors – 18:30 – 19:30

Saturday

11am – 12pm – Subject to change and add a class if demand allows.

Please do not arrive until 5 minutes before your training time, each student must bring their own drinks bottle.

Preparing to re-open

Due to the latest government guidance we are now preparing to reopen. All members have been sent a letter if not received it can be found here

Clubs are closed

Due to the latest government guidance we have closed the club until further notice.

Coronavirus Update

Our present update on Cornavirus COVID19

New Prices

We have reviewed our prices this year after the prices have not changed since 2007 when the club opened. We still believe our prices are very reasonable. The new prices come into effect from 1st March 2020.

Lesson Prices

15 Years and below – £3

16 Years + – £3.50

Membership – £25 includes free Karate Suit

Membership Renewal – £15

Other change

Little Tigers Striped Belt Gradings – £10

Iain Abernethy Seminar 2020

JSKD hosted a Seminar with Iain Abernethy on the 1st February 2020 at Belmont School. The theme was Tekki Kata and which looked at a flow drill which covered the whole Kata. In the second part the methods of the drill were put into live practice. Thanks all for the great attendance and we are looking forward to the next one on the 19th September, start booking now!

To reserve your ticket please get in touch via email info@durhamjunsuikarate.co.uk

Little Tiger Mascot

Our little tiger mascot after a few month of great suggestion from parents and students finally has a name. Kiyoshi which translates as a male Japanese name for Pure in keeping with club name Junsui which also means Pure.