martial arts training : karate events

Karate Events

5th SMA Awards Night 2007	24-11-2007
The following report is written by Penny Kent - This year the SMA Dinner Dance was held at Sir Thomas Richs school in Longlevens. Senpai Dona was worried that there would not be enough food to go around, but as people arrived with their dishes the table soon filled up.
By 7:30 the buffet was overflowing & the bar opened - Great! except Sensei Brian had left the wine at home, so off he went back home to collect it. Meanwhile Paul Maloney & the blackbelts had taken over running the bar, only £1 for a can of lager/beer,50p for soft drinks & £1 for a glass of wine......... ahem! By the time Sensei returned with the wine the money box was overflowing with £10 notes but no change, so off he went again with a fist full of tenners & soon returned with that much needed change. At 7:45 the food was unwrapped & a stampede commenced. Well done to all the parents, the food was excellent & I must mention the SMA Karate cake & fairy cakes decorated with the Mabuni emblem - someone had been very busy.
The DJs killed the awful music - some sort of drum and bass rubbish - maybe Im getting too old - before the awards ceremony began.Congratulations to all nominees & trophy winners. It was heartwarming to see people being rewarded for their efforts throughout the year, especially the little ones. Unfortunately the Lee family could not make it as they had gone to see the Kaiser Chiefs.
By the end of the ceremonySensei had given away his calendars & had finally got rid of his remaining light up pens and keyrings (we know they were left over from last year). The DJs came to their Senses and put some decent music on. While the adults danced drunkenly around the floor,the children merrily popped the remaining balloons. The big clean up began at 11pm, thanks to all those who stayed & helped. Thanks also to Craig Bloxsome who dashed out and bought more white wine when we ran out. Finally I would like to say a big thank you to the unsung heroes - Sensei Brian and Senpai Dona for organising the whole event. At 11:30 I staggered outside into the drizzling rain assisted by a dashing young man in a black shirt & red tie - thanks Dave, apparently I slept all the way home in the taxi. Keep kicking & punching, regards Penny Kent.

Unfortunatley a blurry photo of Cody Miller - Reece Watts and Joshua Stoner. Most promising beginner students..

Olivia Tittley-West - Most Improved Novice..

Paul Goodman - Most Improved Novice..

Maddie Hamilton - Most Improved Novice - Female section..

Alex Legal - Most Improved Intermediate - Boys section..

Samantha Norman and Lydia Matthews - Most Improved Intermediate - Girls section..

Josie Reynolds and Naomi Marshall - Most improved black belts - Girls section..

Most improved Black belts - Mens section..

Competitive Spirit award to Lewis Angel..

Competitive Spirit award recognising the efforts of Rhian Esfandiarinia asn Melissa Clayton..Yasmin Lee also nominated!

Competitive Spirit award going to Dona Marshall.

Jack Hendon accepts an award on behalf of his brother Archie who unfortunatley is in LA working on his latest blockbuster film - plus it was past his bedtime.