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CLUB MEMBERSHIP DROP OFF

It is with sadness that I announce the shrinking membership of Backwell SKC. Unfortunately, a slump in attendance has made the running of the club increasingly difficult.

When visitors to this website per week are greater than the average attendance of a lesson at Backwell it doesn't bode well! When Backwell SKC was founded in 1978 we started training at Backwell School near Bristol. Due to increases in the price of the training hall at the school and a reduction in club members the club was forced to move to a different hall for our other two lessons. It is because of fond memories and the quality of the hall that the club still trains there once a week but even this is now being threatened.

Unfortunately, it isn't just one club that is suffering lower attendance figures. The size of many KUGB club's within the Bristol area are suffering in the same way, as are other clubs within the south-west and in cities further a field that I have contact with.

The question that some of you may be asking yourselves now is, what can this be attributed to? Well I can give you my personal assurance that it is not the quality of teaching! On occasional visits to clubs other than Backwell I have seen an excellent standard of teaching and have benefitted a great deal from the instruction given to me. The commitment shown by an often small core of club members is also admirable at clubs such as ours, as is the case everywhere.

A possible solution might be found by increased advertising in an around the club's catchment area. This isn't restricted to posters on notice boards even though this does sometimes work. Another form of attracting membership might be by performing karate demonstrations, although I realise this doesn't always work. A great advertising method that is often over-looked is word of mouth. It is surprising how well speaking to people about your club can generate extra membership and equally surprising that many people you may talk to have all ready practised karate but slowly lost contact with a club. With the right encouragement these people could become regularly members and boost a club's membership again.

Although things may appear a little quiet at the moment it is important to realise that things do come full circle. Both with advertising and time, club popularity will change. Fluctuation is almost unavoidable whichever club you belong to. Those who have the commitment will hang on and keep training and, although it may be a bumpy ride, I'm sure we will all come out better for the experience!

It is on the positive note of regaining members that I will finish this feature. Hopefully anyone reading this whose club is currently undersized will realise that they are not alone and also that there are many ways to re-establish their club in the local community. I hope that anyone who is ever around the Bristol area will visit us and see how we are doing as all visitors are very welcome. I also hope that sometime in the near future I will be able to report an increase in club membership here on this same page!

Tim Griffiths - 28/2/99

IN CELEBRATION OF SENSEI WINFIELD

On 13th December 1998 clubs from throughout the Bristol area came together for the third annual Bill Winfield Memorial Day. The venue was the Totterdown YMCA in Bristol, where one of Bill's clubs used to train.

As always, Sensei Bob Poynton came down to host the special day of remembrance which celebrated the life of the man who brought karate to the Bristol area. The day started with a wake-up training session for Dan grades which gave a lot of people help on details within dan grade kata. A wake-up session was also helpful when thinking of the day ahead...

The Bill Winfield Day is a fun day for all that take part. The senior dan grades learn how to judge and referee a small competition which the children get to take part in.

The emphasis of the Children's Memorial Competition is on fun and learning. There is no need to worry about taking part as the friendly atmosphere helps introduce competition to those who have never entered a competition before. All entrants get a certificate for taking part and gain experience in taking part which will help them when they choose to enter larger regional or national tournaments.

Overall Bill's day was an enjoyable experience for all. It is a useful springboard helpful for dan grades looking to learn about refereeing for future KUGB tournaments and for Bristol's children to enjoy themselves.

I must say a special thank you to Sensei Poynton for taking the time to run the day. Bill's annual day looks certain to continue helping his memory live on in each of us.

Tim Griffiths - 14/12/98

THE SOUTH-WEST CHAMPIONSHIPS DEAD?

As most of you should know the 1998 south-west championships, which were meant to be held on the 24th October, had to be cancelled. This is due to the unfortunate lack of funds meaning that holding the championships was impossible.

Because the southern region is made up of so many clubs, the south-west championships are an ideal opportunity for some of the smaller clubs in the region to show their worth in a competition. As the opportunity comes about 4 months before the bigger southern region competition it is also an event that gets more clubs interested and involved. It can be used as a gauge by which it is possible to see the standard of the clubs competitors but most of all is a fun event for everyone to enter and enjoy a great day. So what seems to be the problem? Our championships are not attended by enough people to cover all costs and so have had to be stopped.

The cost of running such a championship can be very expensive. I'm sure the cost of the leisure centre for the day takes a lot out of the funds. There are also extra costs for things such as trophies. The charge has been kept at a reasonable fee of £5 per event which is affordable for all but at the end of the day doesn't cover the cost of the event.

So what is the answer? Is it possible to save our championships and get them up and running again by next year or have we lost them forever? It was suggested by our regional officer, Sensei Collacott, that we could do some fund-raising to keep the event running. In my opinion if we have a well co-ordinated attempt it is possible. The next thing would be to get more people entering so that fund-raising wouldn't have to be an annual event.

In the last few years the South-West Championships became an annual event for Backwell SKC. We try to encourage as many people as possible to attend (both competing for the karateka and spectating for friends and relatives). It has become a spring board for a few of our members to go and enter other events such as the nationals and the Shotokan Cup. Okay, we may not expect to win such events but it helps show our allegiance and support to the KUGB. I am proud to represent a small club from the south-west. I don't mind that when people ask what club I come from they have never heard of Backwell (or Blackwell as some people tend to confuse us with)!

Such an event for only part of a region is something that we should not take for granted. Backwell SKC would like to see it up and running again next October and I'm sure we aren't the only club, so if you have any ideas that might help save it either send your suggestions to Sensei Collacott (your instructor should have his address), leave a message on the guestbook or send me your ideas and I will try to forward them appropriately.

Tim Griffiths - 11/11/98

us if you have any news or features that may be of interest to KUGB clubs (it doesn't have to be just for the south-west but these are especially welcome). I will put it up on our "News" page for all to see. You will, of course, be credited for your own work. This includes a link to either your e-mail address or website when the reader clicks on your name.