The weekend started off good with some arriving on the Thursday from Logan Village,Lennox Head and South Australia so we had our first training seminar that evening at 5.30 which was taken by Sensei Joe Boucek.. Everyone was put through their paces with stretching and hip movement in a 15 minute warm up followed by linework and techniques.

Friday we were joined by the rest of our visitors being from once again more from South Australia Sensei Paul Brown and Glenn Marrin, Northern Rivers led by Sensei Ian "Harry " Harris and Sensei Steve Andrews from Brisbane and Sensei John Russo our National Chairman from Childers and the 2 Micks from the Northern Territory.

Another training session was held on the Friday evening conducted by our visiting 6th Dan Sensei's and then after a very informative session we set up the competition mat for the comp on Saturday morning. All retired to the Black Stump Inn who were major sponsors of our weekend for dinner and the odd chat over the odd drink.

Saturday the Competition started at 9am sharp under the watchful eye of Sensei John . We had around 40 competitors who all competed in true Karate spirit. The lower grades were nervous but with the help of senior grades they were put at ease. All the Kata and Kumite events except for the Black Belts were held before lunch. We broke for a short lunch break which was a barbeque put on by the Lions Club of Coolah.

When we resumed all competitors assembled on the competition mat and the National Anthems were played followed by a speech from our State President Sensei Harry who welcomed everyone to Coolah and thanked all our sponsors and introduced our National Chairman Sensei John who spoke about TSKFA and our future and what part this competition plays in that future. He was also pleased to see the karate spirit displayed and thanked everyone who made the effort to attend and the sponsors who helped to make it possible and the Coolah Dojo for running the event.

The competition then resumed and the Black Belts did Kumite,Kata and over 40's Kata. The trophy presentation followed and then everyone freshened up and resumed where we left off from on Friday night at the Black Stump Inn where we held our Championship Dinner.

Sunday we had 2 more training sessions,one morning,one afternoon which once again were conducted by our 6th Dan Sensei's. Concentration on hip movement and the power of the hips was the focal point. The afternoon session was Kata and the important points of the Kata which all were reminded to remember. Then you guessed it Back to the Black Stump Inn after a short visit to the Ellis's where we all watched the NRL Grand Final .

Monday morning all departed to their respective humble abodes and Coolah returned to normal.

Special Thank you to the following Sensei's John,Harry,Steve,Ian Watson SA,Tim,Joe,Hally and Paul for a great weekend.

The next TSKFA NSW Championships will be held in Lismore next year.


Oss and regards
Sensei Mark Ellis