Samurai Ju Jitsu Tas in Scottsdale, Tasmania | Sport & recreation

Samurai Ju Jitsu Tas

Locality: Scottsdale, Tasmania

Address: 57 King St 7260 Scottsdale, TAS, Australia

Website: http://www.ajja.org

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25.01.2022 Due to the decrease in cases of Whooping Cough, Bridport classes will resume on Tuesday. See you then! - Sensei Amy

25.01.2022 With the rise of MMA, there's also been an increasing readiness to discard 'traditional' martial arts, and a belief that MMA ring-fighting techniques represent the best and most efficient form of self-defense. This is not the case. The MMA ring-fighting techniques may well represent the best and most efficient form of combat inside a ring under MMA rules... but in terms of self-defense its value is quite different. Take, for example, the use of closed-fist striking and stri...kes to the head. Modern MMA fighters train in boxing and kick-boxing or Muay Thai to build their 'striking game'. Inside the ring, wearing protective gear (mouthguards, handwraps and gloves) these techniques are applied to fellow professional fighters who are trained to avoid or to minimise the effects as much as possible. And if these trained fighters are knocked down by a punch, they are also trained to fall safely, and they have a clear ring to fall in. Outside the ring? A sharp, accurate head punch may indeed shut down a conflict. But outside the ring, you're rarely fighting trained professionals. Nor are you wearing hand protection. Nor are they wearing a mouthguard. Most importantly, there's not a nice, clear ring to fall in, and they're not trained to fall safely. Inside the ring, closed-fist striking to the head is a high-percentage, valuable technique. Outside the ring, striking with closed fists to the head is relatively low-percentage. There are a lot of ways it can go wrong -- and in some cases, go wrong disastrously. One of the things I keep coming back to in ju jutsu training is the idea of _context_ -- the idea that your technique should be applicable and suitable to the situation. Yes, it's useful to know how to throw a punch. No, inside the ring against a professional fighter many of the softer and less aggressive techniques have limited use. But if you train like a ringfighter then when you're confronted in a stressful situation by an untrained aggressor, you'll instinctively respond like a ringfighter. That's not always a great idea. Context. Learn more than just ringfighting techniques -- learn a wide range of responses, from minimalist escapes and disengagements all the way through brutally destructive strike/jointlock/throw combinations. That way, you'll always have the right tool for the job and you won't wind up doing something like this... https://www.abc.net.au//one-punch-death-cabooltur/12898624 - Sensei Burch

23.01.2022 Hope you've been keeping up your training lately! - Sensei Amy

22.01.2022 We hope youre all enjoying the time off class and getting some practice in! Lessons will resume on the following dates: Launceston UniGym Dojo - Advanced... 6:15-7:45PM Friday 17th January 2020 Bridport Community Hall - Beginner 3:30-4:30PM Tuesday 18th February 2020 Scottsdale St. Barnabas Hall - Beginner 5:00-6:00PM Wednesday 19th February 2020 Scottsdale St. Barnabas Hall - Advanced 6:00-7:30PM Wednesday 19th February 2020 Have fun in the meantime, and well see you again soon! - Sensei Amy

22.01.2022 Scottsdale Saint Barnabas Hall class resumes today at 5PM for beginners, and 6PM for advanced students. Looking forward to getting back to training! - Sensei Amy

21.01.2022 Currently, the restrictions for contact sports have not been lifted, and until that changes it would be irresponsible for us to resume classes as normal. If the limits are prolonged, we will consider running sessions that are suitable for social distancing, such as kata exercises. Recommencement of any kind will also depend on premises availability. We will be sure to update further as changes are made, and we look forward to seeing you again when it is safe to do so! - Sensei Amy

21.01.2022 Please remember that there is no Bridport class today due to the whooping cough outbreak. Sorry again for any inconvenience, and we hope everyone affected is feeling better soon! - Sensei Amy

21.01.2022 Well, I dont know about you but missing training is really starting to grind me. Anyway, heres a thing to contemplate. Any of you folk who have trained with me will have worked on what I jokingly call "the bogan hook". Its a RIGHT haymaker (big wild swing for the head) delivered off a LEFT lead foot... and it is the single most common opening attack you will see across literally countless videos of public scuffles and street fights. In fact, all across those countless vid...eos you almost never see a RIGHT haymaker delivered of a RIGHT lead foot. Now, the gentlemen in this video have some perfectly good insights and movements to offer. But look at what they assume the attack is going to be! Yep -- right hand, right foot. And there they go with that reaping throw, which depends on the right foot being there, just under the right hand. This technique works just fine if the bad guy is kind enough to throw the punch that way. And that IS the way martial artists are taught to move -- same hand/foot advancing. Which means that most martial artists (as you can see here) wind up simply expecting to see attacks that look like what theyre trained to do. Except thats NOT how the world works. So the lesson here isnt really about what these gents are showing you. Its about what theyre NOT showing you -- observation and preparation. These men are training into reflex a response to an attack that almost never happens in the wild. Further, their reflexive response is going to fail when they instinctively reach for that right leg and cant get it because its still back behind the attacker. The thing to learn: observe. Ask questions. Try different things. Most of all, always try to relate what youre being taught to the situation where it might be used. That defense in the video? It would work fine against an untrained opponent IF untrained people attacked like that. But they dont. Trained people, on the other hand, might advance same hand/foot -- but trained people dont throw wild haymakers. Which means this technique isnt much chop against either trained or untrained attackers... and that really doesnt leave much, does it? ---- crabby sensei who is missing training. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Yn7g8bQcO0&feature=youtu.be

21.01.2022 Heads up, there'll be no Launceston class this Friday due to travel! Sorry for any inconvenience, and we'll see you next time! - Sensei Amy

21.01.2022 Please ensure that you take extra care with health and hygiene at this time. As a precaution for yourself and fellow students, we ask that you wash your hands immediately before and after each lesson, and do not attend if exhibiting flu-like symptoms of any kind. At this stage we are continuing to hold lessons, and will do so until further notice, but keep an eye out on this page in case of changes. ... We hope to do our part in supporting a healthy, happy community. Stay safe! - Sensei Amy

20.01.2022 IMPORTANT NOTICE The current world health situation makes it unsafe and irresponsible for us to continue classes at this time. We have carefully considered this decision, and we dont want to contribute to the fact that things are going to get worse before they get better.... We are extremely sorry for the disappointment and inconvenience, but hope that you understand the importance of this action and recognise it as the lesser evil. Unfortunately, classes are called off indefinitely, and recommencement will be announced only when there is substantial positive change on an international and local scale. If you have any questions, or wish to be refunded for recent membership/renewal, please send us a message. - Sensei Amy

20.01.2022 Look -- it's fine to PRACTICE kicking high. Great for fitness, flexibility, and balance. But when you're actually fighting...

20.01.2022 Obviously, the Internet is an amazing and valuable asset for anyone studing martial arts. But... not everything you see is useful. In fact, quite a lot of what youll see is -- well, it might be fun. It might even be useful in sports. But its not actually useful if youre under threat. Some of the things you find on the Internet are, in fact, so utterly useless that you might as well just chuck them in a bag marked "Handy Suicide Methods." This would be one of those. ... In summary: NO. Not even if the knife IS made of wood.

18.01.2022 In the past we’ve touched on the basics of Iaido, a Japanese martial art focused on the use of the katana. For those interested, here is a helpful starter guide to the movements! - Sensei Amy

17.01.2022 Keep in mind that memberships and renewals are due this time of year, so check below to see which applies to you! Seniors (16yrs & over) $40 joining fee $20 annual renewal Juniors $20 joining fee $10 annual renewal... - Sensei Amy

17.01.2022 Its well established that the most effective means of protecting women against (largely male) violence is by teaching and encouraging self-defense in women. This is an unpalatable truth. It should be a better world, one where there are useful alternatives to preparing the victims to fight back -- and I encourage everyone to play their part in bringing that better world into being. But in the meantime, the sad fact is that teaching women to defend themselves effectively is th...e best tool we have. One of the arguments raised against promoting self-defense is the idea that if a woman successfully avoids or fends off an attacker, shes merely passing the danger down the line -- that the attacker will go and find a less determined, more vulnerable victim. This incident gives the lie to that argument. Note that the woman in this article fought back against a man who had a knife. The knife was being used as threat and coercion, but we have to ask: what purpose might that knife have served once the attacker finished his assault and wanted to escape? I think theres a very good chance this woman saved her own life. And it seems -- according to the article -- highly likely that she damaged her attacker, leaving blood and forensic evidence at the scene. The knife itself may provide a lead on the attacker, as will the clear description provided by the woman. There are dozens of good reasons to learn to fight back. Youre not just protecting yourself: youre helping your community. https://www.abc.net.au//sexual-assault-victim-sta/11621046

16.01.2022 UPDATE: It is now legal for contact-sports to train in Tasmania. However, there are quite a number of precautions and actions we are expected to take in the wake of Covid-19. Different venues have slightly different requirements, but were working to meet those so we can go back to training. To this point, I have taken two separate certificates in Covid-19 infection control related to sports -- one through the MAIA, and one from the Australian government. I have updated our ...register, and sorted insurance. I have also prepared a Covid-19 infection prevention plan for each of the three training venues, and Im busily figuring out which cleaning equipment well need to buy, and which will be supplied at the venues. The good news, it really shouldnt take too much longer... - Sensei Burch

15.01.2022 Heads up about the holidays: Our final Scottsdale class for the year is December 9th! That makes today our second-last class of the year! We usually resume in the second week of school returning (Wednesday February 10th 2021), but keep an eye out here in case of changes. - Sensei Amy

15.01.2022 This fight more or less demonstrates how jujitsu is meant to be used. I know nothing of the events leading up to this. Maybe the defender (who won) should have done more to de-escalate or escape. But Ill give the benefit of the doubt here, because theres no mistaking the aggressive intent of the other man. What is important to note is the way the defender reacts as soon as its clear that the aggressor is moving in with intent. The throw is quick, simple, and well-controll...ed. No chance the aggressor will randomly hit his head on the pavement and die. The defender uses body movement, off-balancing, and control of his attackers throat to set up and control the throw. He finishes by controlling the opponent on the ground. I disagree strongly with the final flurry of head punches. They werent necessary, and a court wouldnt consider them self defense. He should, perhaps, have hit his opponent in the floating ribs and left rapidly, or finished with a simple rear naked choke to give himself time to leave. Nevertheless, this is what jujitsu (and the man is quite clearly trained in a jujitsu system) is supposed to look like. No trading punches and kicks -- as soon as the aggressor breaks distance and has clearly demonstrated intent to attack, the defender takes decisive, committed and effective action.

15.01.2022 UPDATE We have been working on getting ju jitsu back up and running, from completing COVID-19 compliance requirements to updating insurance and memberships. However, the new wave of virus cases on the mainland causes uncertainty as to whether this is the right decision. Tasmania may soon be reopening its borders, potentially putting us at risk of another lockdown. ... The idea of resuming classes, only to have to shut them down all over again, is disheartening; Let alone the health risks to our community. We have little control over this possibility, but if you would like to have your say, consider contacting our Premier at: http://www.premier.tas.gov.au/contact_your_premier We are looking forward to seeing you all again under safe circumstances. In the meantime, lets all do our best to protect ourselves and each other with a different means of self defence. - Sensei Amy

14.01.2022 The link here attached goes to a YouTube video of a 'mugging'. That's the common term for a violent assault with the aim of taking money or valuables from the victim. Because this is a real assault, I can't recommend this video for youngsters -- but in terms of violence, it's not too graphic or terrifying. What is valuable to us about this footage is what it shows us about this kind of attack. Note that the attacker has clearly planned this with a degree of care. The victim'...s hands are full. The attacker waits until the victim is in an isolated, enclosed area, and ensures that he is very close to, and behind the victim to maximise the effect of the attack. How does martial arts training help in such a situation? First: it should help you avoid ever being in such a situation. Speaking personally, I would never have tried to get through the door in that manner. I've been in the position of having to pass through a doorway with an unknown person nearby -- and I always step back and invite the other to go through first. If they refuse... yeah, that's a red light, eh? So -- observation and awareness. Don't let yourself be placed in such a vulnerable position. That's the takeaway here. There are, of course, matters of technique. The victim is quickly pulled over by the grip to their neckchain. We train to turn with such a pull and move into the attacker with as much counterattacking force as we can muster. By trying to resist the force of the pull, the victim fell victim to superior leverage and went down quickly. Importantly, this footage helps us understand something crucial about martial training. The 'face-to-face' training we do is really about developing motor skills, not 'fighting'. If we're actually face to face with an enemy, we know we're better off negotiating, de-escalating, defusing, and even just running away unless there's no alternative. But if our training does NOT include "surprise attack" scenarios where we find ourselves in a position of disadvantage, we're not really learning what we most need to know when the situation turns against us. So: hard work, and sometimes painful -- and we must acknowledge that we don't always get to fight from the position we prefer! -- Sensei Burch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHnPh4QaHFE

14.01.2022 A Covid-19 Portrait of Father and Daughter... I hope most of you are keeping up at least basic mobility training. Im doing my best -- which at the moment means trying to make my knees work again. (I did a lot of crawling about, laying a floating floor in my study. The floor looks great. My knees look like waterballoons full of gravel, and feel worse.) In the meantime, Im still plugging away at the handbook. This fine portrait of myself and my lovely daughter will grace the ...page on hadaka-jime, the Rear Naked Choke. Many thanks to son Genghis for taking the photograph! --- sensei.

14.01.2022 Look -- its fine to PRACTICE kicking high. Great for fitness, flexibility, and balance. But when youre actually fighting...

13.01.2022 Just a reminder that classes are off for the time being, and to please let fellow students and parents know if you can. Thanks again for the understanding. The sooner we all get on board with these measures, the sooner we can get back to training. Stay safe and healthy! ... - Sensei Amy

13.01.2022 Final Scottsdale class of the year today! Enjoy, and have a safe holiday afterwards! - Sensei Amy

12.01.2022 At this stage, this week's classes are on! Keep the new anti-virus measures in mind, and we'll see you there! - Sensei Amy

11.01.2022 Heres a quote taken from the website of another martial art school/system. Ive redacted the name of the school/system in question: "Due to the structure of the Traditional XXXXXXXX System we have a single training policy. This is due to the fact that the XXXXXXXX System does not require the integration of other martial art styles. XXXXXXXX is a System which encompasses all ranges of combat within one structure and so that we may keep consistent training practices we only ...train XXXXXXXX. In respect to other martial arts instructors, is another reason why we do not train in other martial arts" Thats an interesting opinion. In contrast, my first ju-jitsu instructor, Shihan Mark Haseman, is happy to talk about the way he learns from other instructors, other styles, other systems. Mark is something like eighth dan, and he proudly calls what he does stealing from others. Hes joking, of course -- he takes new things with permission and integrates them with what he knows, and hes equally happy to share what he knows with anyone who is interested. Marks attitude makes martial arts stronger, and makes his own practice more effective. The head of the Samurai Ju-jitsu system here in Tasmania is Shihan David Wright. David also holds a high ranking in Shotokan Karate, and continues to train in both systems. Davids willingness to learn and to share what he learns is part of what keeps me involved with the system. On Friday nights, the group I train with includes Bikram, who holds a fourth dan in Shotokan karate, and Roland, who has years in a Korean martial art called Chon Jo, which is a lot like ju-jitsu. Oh, and Rolands instructor also holds several dan grades in Hapkido... and he teaches both Roland and myself Renaissance fighting techniques including broadsword, staff, and English-style wrestling. I have learned a great deal from all three of these men, and I enjoy training with them -- sharing what I know, and discovering new things to strengthen my own practice. The XXXXXXXX System people have their reasons, Im sure, for insisting that if you train with them you must train only with them. Ive never seen much value in that, though. I believe ju-jitsu is a strong, effective self-defense-oriented martial art -- and I believe each practitioner can make it stronger by learning from anyone and anything who has something to teach. So my own message is this: Im confident about the value and usefulness of everything I teach. I strongly encourage anyone who trains with me to take any opportunities they get to practice respectfully and politely with other classes, other instructors, and other systems. Ju-jitsu is the flexible, adaptable art. When you discover something new that works for you, take it on board and make it part of your own ju-jitsu -- -- and then bring it back and show me, so I can learn too! -- Sensei Burch.

11.01.2022 UPDATE: Currently, the restrictions for contact sports have not been lifted, and until that changes it would be irresponsible for us to resume classes as normal. If the limits are prolonged, we will consider running sessions that are suitable for social distancing, such as kata exercises. We will be sure to update further as changes are made, and we look forward to seeing you again when it is safe to do so! ... - Sensei Amy

11.01.2022 Just a note about tomorrows senior Scottsdale class: Unfortunately we have to cancel due to contagious instructor illness. Please let fellow students know if you can! Sorry for the inconvenience. See you next time! ... - Sensei Amy

10.01.2022 Our sensei has been working on a basic ju jitsu handbook. The family cats are trying to help! - Sensei Amy

09.01.2022 Bridport Community Hall junior class is back today at 3:30PM! See you soon!

09.01.2022 Thanks for a fun class yesterday, Bridport! Thats our last one for the year, so well resume on the 18th of February. Keep practicing in the meantime, and have a happy and safe holiday! We intend to hold our end of year barbecue on Wednesday the 11th of December, so stay tuned for more information if youre interested. ... Scottsdale and Launceston groups have their final classes on Wednesday and friday this week. Hope to see you in the new year! - Sensei Amy

09.01.2022 UPDATE (EDIT So, not this Friday but next, due to repairs! See you then!) We're all set to start classes up again soon! Possibly even this Friday!... As it stands, we are just waiting on a snow damage report of the Launceston Unigym dojo. If the damage is minimal/cosmetic, we'll be there! If it needs repairs, we will need to wait until they are complete. In the meantime, we are setting the wheels in motion to resume Scottsdale classes on Wednesday, August 12th! Following that, we will look to getting Bridport back up and running. Stay tuned for confirmations, exact dates and times, and further updates! Exciting times! - Sensei Amy

09.01.2022 Can’t wait to see the Friday crew again today at the Launceston dojo! Remember to check out the COVID-19 prevention requirements as per our last post. - Sensei Amy

09.01.2022 The link here attached goes to a YouTube video of a mugging. Thats the common term for a violent assault with the aim of taking money or valuables from the victim. Because this is a real assault, I cant recommend this video for youngsters -- but in terms of violence, its not too graphic or terrifying. What is valuable to us about this footage is what it shows us about this kind of attack. Note that the attacker has clearly planned this with a degree of care. The victim...s hands are full. The attacker waits until the victim is in an isolated, enclosed area, and ensures that he is very close to, and behind the victim to maximise the effect of the attack. How does martial arts training help in such a situation? First: it should help you avoid ever being in such a situation. Speaking personally, I would never have tried to get through the door in that manner. Ive been in the position of having to pass through a doorway with an unknown person nearby -- and I always step back and invite the other to go through first. If they refuse... yeah, thats a red light, eh? So -- observation and awareness. Dont let yourself be placed in such a vulnerable position. Thats the takeaway here. There are, of course, matters of technique. The victim is quickly pulled over by the grip to their neckchain. We train to turn with such a pull and move into the attacker with as much counterattacking force as we can muster. By trying to resist the force of the pull, the victim fell victim to superior leverage and went down quickly. Importantly, this footage helps us understand something crucial about martial training. The face-to-face training we do is really about developing motor skills, not fighting. If were actually face to face with an enemy, we know were better off negotiating, de-escalating, defusing, and even just running away unless theres no alternative. But if our training does NOT include "surprise attack" scenarios where we find ourselves in a position of disadvantage, were not really learning what we most need to know when the situation turns against us. So: hard work, and sometimes painful -- and we must acknowledge that we dont always get to fight from the position we prefer! -- Sensei Burch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHnPh4QaHFE

09.01.2022 It was lovely seeing those who came along to yesterdays barbecue! We hope all students, parents and friends have a safe and fun holiday season, and well see you in the new year! - Sensei Amy

08.01.2022 Not sure this needs any kind of commentary at all. It pretty much speaks for itself... although it has no audio. - Sensei Burch CW: Violence

08.01.2022 Just a reminder that this Fridays Launceston class is off because well be at the AJJA seminar in Penrith! - Sensei Amy

07.01.2022 Hope youve been keeping up your training lately! - Sensei Amy

07.01.2022 Hey, people -- it looks like the state government has just laid down a roadmap which lets us know when we can get back on the mats. This illustration is an official release from the Tas govt. I borrowed it from Rebecca Whites facebook page. If I read this correctly, we should be legal to get back into it as of June 15th. Ill try to contact someone in government who can confirm that. Meanwhile -- lets call that a restart point, for now, anyway. Obviously if things turn nasty with the virus before then this will change. And if the government says Ive misinterpreted their info, that would change things too. Meanwhile -- wash your uniforms, and get yourselves back in the groove. June Fifteenth!

07.01.2022 Were almost back to training. We should be able to start up in Scottsdale on Wednesday coming, and in Launceston at the uni gym Friday next (when theyve fixed the mess caused by snow on the roof...) Things will be a little different, though. The State government has approved training for contact sports such as ours, but were still going to be abiding by a raft of measures designed to minimize the danger of further Covid-19 spread. We will discuss the measures at each of th...e venues, but heres a short outline which can be consulted at any time. * There will be a temperature check before training, using a non-contact thermometer. Anyone registering a temperature will not be allowed to train. We will recommend that anyone in that position isolate themselves immediately pending a Covid test. * Anyone with respiratory or other symptoms suggestive of C19 will not be permitted to train. We request that anyone with such symptoms isolate themselves immediately pending a Covid test. * Hand sanitizer will be provided at the entrance. It should be used before and after training. *Uniforms will be washed between training sessions * Common-contact surfaces in the hall (door handles, light switches, etc) will be disinfected before and after class. * Sharing water bottles, etc, is out. (Exceptions, obviously, can be made for cases where family members or persons living together are sharing.) * Anyone not actually training will be asked to remain outside the hall. * We will continue the practice of signing in to each session. We will expect all members to help us stay up to date with addresses and telephone numbers for contact tracing if necessary. * If anyone develops symptoms BETWEEN training sessions, we request they immediately inform the club, and go into isolation pending a Covid test. TRAINING WILL BE SUSPENDED PENDING THE OUTCOME OF ANY SUCH TEST. We will pass the information on to all members of the club, and suggest isolation/Covid testing for anyone who trained with or had other contact with the symptomatic person. * If anyone from the club tests positive for Covid19, training will be IMMEDIATELY suspended. ALL members with any contact history with the positive-testee will be advised to isolate, pending a Covid test. *Members are requested to arrive at the training venue no more than fifteen minutes before training (except those required for setting up). Likewise, we advise members to leave as soon as possible after training. *It is preferable for members to arrive already dressed for training. The less we need to share dressing or preparation facilities, the safer it is for all of us. *Shared equipment such as kick shields will be disinfected after use. These protocols will remain in place until the ongoing Covid-19 problem is resolved through a vaccine or other measures. - Sensei Burch

07.01.2022 Our end-of year barbecue will be held in Bridport next to the skate park at 5PM. If anyone attending has particular dietary requirements, please let us know before tomorrow. Hope to see you there! - Sensei Amy

06.01.2022 I spend a lot of time in class talking about the underlying assumptions with regard to an 'attacker', and the kinds of attacks we might face under different circumstances. I do this because I want to connect the technique that we practice with some kind of 'reality'. I believe that technique which relies on unsupported expectations regarding your attacker is poor, potentially dangerous technique. Conversely, I believe that many techniques regarded by the MMA crowd (and others...Continue reading

06.01.2022 Please note that this Tuesdays Bridport class is unfortunately called off due to the Whooping Cough outbreak. Were sorry for the invonvenience, and hope to help stop the spread. Please pass this on to students and parents if possible. Take care! - Sensei Amy

05.01.2022 Just a reminder that Bridport and Scottsdale classes resume next week! Hope youre all settling back into the school routine and feeling well rested after the holidays. See you on the mat! - Sensei Amy

05.01.2022 In the past weve touched on the basics of Iaido, a Japanese martial art focused on the use of the katana. For those interested, here is a helpful starter guide to the movements! - Sensei Amy

04.01.2022 Senior class at Scottsdale is on tonight at 6:00PM! - Sensei Amy

03.01.2022 Cant wait to see the Friday crew again today at the Launceston dojo! Remember to check out the COVID-19 prevention requirements as per our last post. - Sensei Amy

02.01.2022 UPDATE (EDIT So, not this Friday but next, due to repairs! See you then!) Were all set to start classes up again soon! Possibly even this Friday!... As it stands, we are just waiting on a snow damage report of the Launceston Unigym dojo. If the damage is minimal/cosmetic, well be there! If it needs repairs, we will need to wait until they are complete. In the meantime, we are setting the wheels in motion to resume Scottsdale classes on Wednesday, August 12th! Following that, we will look to getting Bridport back up and running. Stay tuned for confirmations, exact dates and times, and further updates! Exciting times! - Sensei Amy

02.01.2022 We're almost back to training. We should be able to start up in Scottsdale on Wednesday coming, and in Launceston at the uni gym Friday next (when they've fixed the mess caused by snow on the roof...) Things will be a little different, though. The State government has approved training for contact sports such as ours, but we're still going to be abiding by a raft of measures designed to minimize the danger of further Covid-19 spread. We will discuss the measures at each of th...e venues, but here's a short outline which can be consulted at any time. * There will be a temperature check before training, using a non-contact thermometer. Anyone registering a temperature will not be allowed to train. We will recommend that anyone in that position isolate themselves immediately pending a Covid test. * Anyone with respiratory or other symptoms suggestive of C19 will not be permitted to train. We request that anyone with such symptoms isolate themselves immediately pending a Covid test. * Hand sanitizer will be provided at the entrance. It should be used before and after training. *Uniforms will be washed between training sessions * Common-contact surfaces in the hall (door handles, light switches, etc) will be disinfected before and after class. * Sharing water bottles, etc, is out. (Exceptions, obviously, can be made for cases where family members or persons living together are sharing.) * Anyone not actually training will be asked to remain outside the hall. * We will continue the practice of signing in to each session. We will expect all members to help us stay up to date with addresses and telephone numbers for contact tracing if necessary. * If anyone develops symptoms BETWEEN training sessions, we request they immediately inform the club, and go into isolation pending a Covid test. TRAINING WILL BE SUSPENDED PENDING THE OUTCOME OF ANY SUCH TEST. We will pass the information on to all members of the club, and suggest isolation/Covid testing for anyone who trained with or had other contact with the symptomatic person. * If anyone from the club tests positive for Covid19, training will be IMMEDIATELY suspended. ALL members with any contact history with the positive-testee will be advised to isolate, pending a Covid test. *Members are requested to arrive at the training venue no more than fifteen minutes before training (except those required for setting up). Likewise, we advise members to leave as soon as possible after training. *It is preferable for members to arrive already dressed for training. The less we need to share dressing or preparation facilities, the safer it is for all of us. *Shared equipment such as kick shields will be disinfected after use. These protocols will remain in place until the ongoing Covid-19 problem is resolved through a vaccine or other measures. - Sensei Burch

02.01.2022 But meanwhile, we should continue to practice. Striking techniques are particularly relevant and important... - Sensei