Mission Statement
Avon Valley Shotokan is committed to quality martial arts training which benefits its members both physically and mentally through:
~ The provision of a safe training environment
~ Professional and friendly staff
~ Mentoring its members to build respect and responsibility.
~ Learning effective self defence within the bounds of a code of conduct.
Student Creed
~ I intend to develop myself in a positive manner and to avoid anything which would reduce my mental growth or physical health
~ I intend to develop self-discipline in order to bring out the best in others and myself
~ I intend to use what I learn in class constructively and defensively; to help my fellow man, and myself and never to be abusive or offensive
Fees & Membership
Clackline/Toodyay Karate Club Inc is an incorporated community group, run by a committee of parents, senior students and instructors. It is "Not for Profit". All fees, fundraising, donations and grants go directly in to the club for the benefit of all students and the community.
Avon Valley Shotokan is the karate association, headed by Shihan Ken Bainbridge. The club is a member of the Australian Federation of Traditional Karate, Australian Karate Federation and World Karate Federation. Members can access training, accreditation and tournaments through these alliances.
MEMBERSHIP implies a contract to pay all club fees and charges in a timely manner (by second week of each term). Please approach the committee if there are problems - a solution can be found. Students cannot resume training if previous term fees are overdue. Accounts must be up to date before students are eligible to be graded or considered for trips or special activities.
ANNUAL FEES cover club membership, association registration and insurance
TRAINING FEES cover regular
class instruction. Tuition does not include the cost of private lessons, training equipment, grading, seminars, tournaments, or other special events.
Actual fees are dependant on age, frequency of lessons and number of family members attending. Please contact us for more information.
Starting Out Right
You probably already have an idea about what karate is. Whether you've seen it in a book, in magazines, or on a movies or in TV. Whatever you think about karate now, we ask you to forget it. Approach karate with a clear mind or a "beginner's mind", and understand there is so much more to learn than just the physical training. It is a complete discipline involving the mind as well as the body. The most important purpose of karate is to devleop balance between the mind, body and spirit. This will enable us to express our true nature and become better human beings.
For the Kids
In karate we train hard every day to make our bodies strong. Because we are strong, we can choose between fighting and not fighting. In the animal world, a tiger protecting her cubs will fight ferociously because she is scared. People are similar. When we are scared, we will fight. But we must avoid fighting. Because we have become strong enough through our karate training, we have confidence in ourselves and know that we can walk away from a fight. This is the most important lesson in karate. We must always do our best to walk away from a fight.
It is good to practice karate and train hard. At the same time though, you must also study hard at school and listen to your teachers. Being strong only in karate is not good enough. You must make your mind strong as well as your body. At home, do your best to help your parents. Listen to what they tell you and do what they say. If you do this now, you will achieve many things as you grow up.
Martial Arts Development
As you train in the martial arts, you will see improvements in your speed, flexibility, coordination, discipline, confidence and ability to focus your mind. You will find the skills it takes to succeed in martial arts are the same skills you need to succeed in life. The lessons which you learn in karate can be applied to everything else in your life including your education, career, relationships, and philosophy of life.
If you can master karate, you can master anything.
"Karate begins and ends with courtesy"