A statement from Sensei Brett Wilkinson
Dear Parent/ Student
Having been involved in karate for the best part of 28 years and running clubs successfully for 21 years. My principles, values and traditions remain the same now as when i first set out teaching. Being a very traditional instructor/club, my teachings have always focused around the respect, the discipline, the control and of course the building of confidence. Karate is some
thing that anybody/everybody, shape, size, age, ability or disability can achieve something from. Competition/competing is very much apart of karate…but not the be and end all. I have never been money motivated within martial arts….only driven by the passion from myself and by those who strive to achieve their goals.
Which brings me to my point…..gradings/belts!
Myself and my team of instructors have many years of experience between us and are focused and proud on delivering the highest quality of karate to each and every student that walks through our dojo doors. Students and parents who know what we are about will understand our focus is the karate and not the belt. Having been there, done that, I fully appreciate how much that belt means to everyone…Once it’s achieved.
However if a student is not ready for that belt/grade. It is with good reason myself/my team hold that student back until they are ready. Whether that be the student hasn’t done enough lessons for the grading or just requires more time and training. We are all different.
Unfortunately there is a growing trend, but may i stress a very small minority of parents/students that hold far too much focus upon these belts. This has resulted in some parents not returning with their children to our clubs due to them not taking our professional advice on why we don’t knock what we try to build…..Confidence!! A shiny new belt looks fantastic round your waist…agreed!
But only when it’s earned.
Having read about, and met so many people in martial arts over the years, it’s sadly very easy to find corruption in martial arts. Therefore taking money for gradings and giving belts away just to keep hold of their students.
This path has never and will never be ours.
I/ my team will always uphold the traditions and values that have kept us in good stead for so many years. Please work with and support us in delivering the best possible karate tuition for you or your child and help teach the importance of achieving things in life comes when ready, when worthy and when dedication and hard work prevails.
Many thanks,
Sensei Brett Wilkinson
