We are very pleased to announce that there will be a very special ‘Junior Day’ held in Gloucester on Saturday 26th July.

This will be in the form of a ‘BKA Junior event’ incorporating a combined Coach and Parent Workshop covering many aspects of how to work with children.
The main emphasis is of course, for the junior members to have lots of fun and do lots of Kendo, with Matsumoto, Holt, Budden, Chapman, Dodd & Matsuda sensei + other BKA senior members and coaches.

On Sunday the 27th July, also at the same venue, there will be:
’The First Gloucester Vale Kendo seminar’ covering many aspects of Japanese Kendo under the direction of the Chief National Kendo Coach: Matsumoto sensei. This is open to all BKA members Juniors and Seniors alike.

From 10.00 until 5.00 each day.

Junior day: Saturday10.00 arrival
10.30-12.15 morning session
12.15-1.15 lunch time and for discussion with coaches and parents
1.15- 4.30 afternoon session. Finish by 5.00
Major themes: striking and relationships; focus also on reigi including how to wear hakama, keikogi, bogu etc.

The anticipated age groups will be 5-11 year olds and 12-17 year olds.
There will be no problem for beginners without armour attending, as there will be practice sessions for all, with the morning to be spent as a full group practice and the afternoon divided appropriately, with the last session to be in the form of a number of mini-competitions.
Gloucester Vale Kendo Seminar:
Sunday10.00 arrival
10.30-12.40 morning session
12.40-1.40 lunch
1.40-4.45 Afternoon session. Finish by 5.00

Aspects of Kendo including both shinai and bokuto basics.

There is NO CHARGE for the juniors, parents or coaches attending on the Saturday or Sunday just bring your own picnic lunch. The charge for the Sunday seminar for seniors will be £10, again bring your own lunch please.
All parents of junior kendoka, Dojo leaders who teach juniors and in fact all coaches interested in teaching juniors are warmly invited to attend this event. This is a very beautiful part of the country which includes the Cotswolds, the Forest of Dean the ancient castle of Berkeley and many more beautiful and interesting venues.
Accommodation information will be available in due course, so please put this date in your diary.

Paul Budden Kendo Bucho