Archived News - January/February 2010
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28th February 2010
Congratulations to Cam and Mel!
Congratulations and best wishes to Melanie and Cameron on their coming together as husband and wife. The wedding ceremony was held at the beautiful Harold Boas Gardens where the happy couple exchanged their vows and love for each other.
The reception was heldlater at the Bluewater Functions Centre where we partied and said our goodbyes to Cameron's life as a single man. Both Mel and Cam looked fantastic and happy, and from all the Black Belts, the members and all the parents, we would like to wish them all the very best for their future together.
17th February 2010
Weapons Seminar
Anyone who is interested in attending a weapons seminar conducted by Hanshi Tino Ceberano on 27th February please call Mr Rawlins on 0410695183 for more info.
Brief Results From Vegas
Sinead made it to the quarters, Jess unlucky lost in the 1st round, Musty made it past 1st round and Jacob lost in the 1st round. Well done to everyone for doing their best. Full results and reports to come.
9th February 2010
Good Luck to Our Fighters in Vegas!
Rawlins Taekwondo wishes Jess, Sinead, Mustafaa, Jacob and coach Haris all the best at the US Open starting, on 10 February with 14 years and up sparring starting on 12 February, in Las Vegas. Stay tune for the results.
By Tony Familari
While most of us have been enjoying the Christmas and school holidays, some of the members from Broome have been training in Cebu, Philippines under legendary Grandmaster Cacoy Canete. After 2 weeks of intensive training which incoroprated weapon strikes, blocks, counters and disarms in Eskrima and Eskrido which involves Aikido parry/redirect and unbalance, Jujitsu traps and locks, judo leverage and throws - all in the one movement. Grandmaster Canete has been blending the various martials arts for over 70 years and it was a honour and rewarding experience for the Broome members to train under his supervision.
At the end of the training camp which also had attendees from England, Hong Kong, France, Australia and America, the boys were all tested and graded to 3rd Dan in Eskrima and 3rd Dan in Eskrido.
Well done to Michael, Jomerson and Mark on this outstanding achievement and to their club instructor Tony for preparing and training them in the Doce Pares system. We are sure that when they get back they will have a lot to show us. When they were there the boys were also asked to do a Taekwondo and Eskrima demonstration for the Filipino National Television. This TV station gets 46 million viewers worldwide. So once again well done guys.
(The Broome boys with the legend himself GM Cacoy Canete)
Eskrima incorporates weapons strikes, blocks, counters and disarms. Eskrido incorporates the flow from Eskrima but dispenses the block level of Eskrima instead utilises Aikido parry/redirect and unbalance, Jujitsu trap and lock, Judo leverage throws all in the one movement.
Cacoy has been blending the various martial arts for over 70 years.
Each movement is drilled over and over then you are ready for the higher level is application in fast moving sparring.
I was very proud of the boys. We trained with the advanced black belt class with Master John John Mac (two times stick fighter world champion) the Cacoy Doce Pares Head Instructor leading each class with Cacoy overseeing. Cacoy gave several demonstrations and simply demolished the advanced black belts.
These guys are strictly fighters. Every drill, every technique was to be tested in sparring. Cacoy’s main guidance was to Master Mac it was one word “APPLICATION” (translate as enough of the technique and drill – the measure being the student applying them at full speed in sparring – only then did you see a smile on his face).
The Broome boys received one on one training with the advanced black belt group with Master Mac ALWAYS TESTING AND FURTHER TEACHING– every move with each of us once you seemed to get it right.
We all picked up quickly (the drills were from the drill sergeant from hell) and it was relentless and no let up until Cacoy called out for application. During sparring they just kept hitting you until you learned how to effectively parry, redirect etc and disarm, if you got it wrong they just wacked you. The longer it took for you to learn the more wacks you got. Jomerson and Mark picked up very quickly but the older guys took a lot more hits before getting it right. While we got bruised it was all very controlled strikes were on purpose to teach you to learn quickly. The Cebu black belts were not trying to seriously injure you. We picked that up when we watched some of them spar each other. It reminded me of the traditional Mauy Thai fighters who in the first round held their hands high and exchanged turning kicks to the ribs to test endurance etc then in the second round they would test their techniques after you were considered a worthy opponent. The Cebu black belts just let it rip all out full contact with sticks all over the body. The only shot they did not take was head shots otherwise they just hammered each other and not once did any of them call it quits they just kept pounding each other till a more senior such as master Mac called enough. I guess years of such body conditioning takes you to a different level.
There were people with various backgrounds eg. 10 years JKD, Brazilian Jujitsu, UFC completion fighters, Kick Boxing, Taekwondo and the list just goes on, came from England, France, Hong Kong, America and Australia to train in Cebu with these guys.
While there in Cebu, the Broome crew were asked to do a Taekwondo and Eskrima – Eskrido demo for the Filipino national television. This TV station gets over 46 million viewers worldwide.
28th January 2010
New Instructor in Queensland
Marisha Bielicki is a new addition to the Queensland's club. Her expertise in poomsae will benefit and add to the caliber of Rawlins students. Read her profile here.
In addition to a new instructor, Rawlins Queensland also has a website. Visit their website and keep up to date with Queensland events.
Stay tuned for information about our Scottish club.
8th January 2010
December Wrap Up
December was one busy month for Mr. Rawlins and for all our centre with Christmas, end of year presentations and most importantly, end of year gradings which were all happening within a short time of each other. It was so huge that there are 4 parts to December.
Part 1
This year we had to have our end of year gradings at various club locations due to the fact that many of our members and black belts were very busy, with work, school or family committments at this time of year.
The first of the gradings was at Alexander Heights where we saw 60 plus students attempt and pass their different belt levels and where we also saw Aiden Rawlins, Jordan Prince - Wright and Phreeyha Vandiappan passed their Black Belts and join the elite group of Black Belts at our centres. Well done guys!
(Well done to all the Beechboro members who have passed their grading)
(Aiden doing his 3 direction board break)
(Jordan, Phreeyha and Aiden along with the chief)
(Some of the members after the gradings)
Part 2
The second grading was at Rockingham where once again a large number of members attempted and pass their various belt levels with a few of them double graded. Mr Rawlins was very pleased with the standard and gave praise to the Rockingham and Kelmscott clubs and their instructors.
(Attendees at the south of the river grading)
Part 3
Our Queensland (New Beith) club had their Trophy and awards nights also in December which was well attended, congratulations to all the members. Club instructor Haris Olomi also would like to thank all the members, their parents and all the supporters for their help, loyality and support in 2009. The club has had a golden year with well over 100 gold medals won by its member at various club, state, national and international competitions. Here is a list of Queensland club awards winners:
Most Improved Color Belt - Scott Dean
Color Belt of The Year 2009 - Zekria Sayed
Most Promising Athlete 2009 - Courtney Pomerenke
Most Dedicated Student 2009 - Jahan Olomi
Student of the Year 2009 - Mustafaa Olomi
(Queensland award winners)
Part 4
After most of the gradings were done in Perth Mr. Rawlins had to fly to Broome to check, grade and spend some time with the members there (what a life!)
(View from plane of Broome and view from Mr. Rawlins' room in Broome)
But it was not all fun and relaxing. While in Broome he had the pleasure to present 1st Dan certificates to Sue Luketina, Geoff Howard and Richard Pardoe, all who have severed their 1 year probation and now are fully qualified Black Belt instructors.
(Geoff & Richard being presented the Belts and certificates by the chief)
Michael Carter attempted and passed his 4th Dan black belt (a great achievement) as well as Jake Jones who also went for and passed his 2nd Dan black belt. It was great to watch their Arnis weapon drills as well as the different locks and disarms techniques which was part of their grading criteria. Full credit goes to their instructor Tony Familari for the hard work and effort. They also had to demonstrate self defence moves, board breaking and various aspect of Taekwondo & Martial Art techniques that they have learnt.
(Michael & Jake demonstrating a 3 & 4 direction break)
Overall the standard at the grading and in the Broome club wasvery good and Mr. Rawlins was once again proud and happy with what head instructor Mr. Familari and his club instructors have achieved. Hopefully we will see the Broome branch visit Perth for some competition and training camps.
(Some of the Broome members after the grading)
The next day was the clubs wind up and trophy presentation night and it was great to see such a large turn out and Mr Rawlins really enjoyed meeting and talking with the members and their families in a more social atmosphere. A few good stories were heard and told and it was a fantastic night.
Congratulation again to Geoff Howard & Richard Pardoe on winning the club's Most Improved and Most Dedicated awards and to everyone else who passed or received an award.
(Trophy and award night presentation)
Part 5
No sooner than Mr. Rawlins arrived back in Perth, he was off again, this time down south to Albany, to conduct gradings and run a final year seminar with the students. He was also there to celebrate the club's end of year wind up and to meet and greet the members, and their families.
(View of the trip to Albany)
(Members & families listening to Mr. Rawlins)
It was a long drive there, but when Mr. Rawlins arrived at the Albany club he was greeted with happy and excited faces, all hoping to impress the Boss and maybe pull of a final end of year double promotion. Three members did achieve that feat and it was all due to their focus and determination and to the excellent training that they are getting from their club instructors Kristy Compton and Paul Cooper.
(Members receiving their grading certificates and listened to Kristy)
After the results were announced and the club's Most Dedicated, Kelly Donnelly, and Most Improved, Faisal Suryadi, awards were given out, it was time to celebrate the Christmas but not before the Albany Fundraising Club thanked Kristy and Paul for the great work they have done with the students and the clubvwhich Mr. Rawlins fully agreed with. They also thanked Mr. Rawlins for his teachings, support and guidance that he has given the club.
(Faisal & Kelly, Albany's Most Improved & Dedicated students)
(Kristy & Paul receiving gift from the club for their great work)
Once all the thank you and presents were given out (yes Mr. Rawlins got one too), it was mtime to get down and party with a barbeque that the committee organised. Everyone had a fantastic night and well done to all the parents and students for the hard work that they have put into 2009. See you all back next year for an even greater year.
(The Arthur family, all happy members of the club)
(Members, families and friends all celebrating a great end of year)
Part 6
It was long drive back for Mr. Rawlins and the final leg of the Christmas celebrations, the Beechboro Bash and the Rockingham Adventure World party. Everyone who had attended both events had a fantastic time.
(It was food, food and more food from most parts of the world to sample and that is the good part of being a multicultural club)
(And eat, eat and eat is what we did)
(Then it was on to the trophy presentation)
While the regional and interstate club had their awards nights, we had our own award presentations at Beechboro for the metro clubs on Sunday, 13th December. There were lots of foods, bouncy castle and a galadiator duel which was hilarious. As the weather as in the late 30s, many people chose to have a swim. It was a wonderful day to end the year. Congratulations to all the students who had won the Most Dedicated and Most Promising awards and the winners for the big trophies were Jake Arnold for Colour Belt of the Year, unbreakable bond of Jess Jordan Dicoski and Sinead Smyth for Black Belt of the Year and Reggie Carson for Club Person of the Year. A big well done to all the students who had passed their grading and receiving their certificates on the same day.
(Everyone's a winner!)
After all the formal presentations, everyone continued where they stopped which was smashing each other up in the gladiator ring and bouncing in the bouncy castle.
(Back to some serious fun)
Part 7
The second part of the Christmas elebrations was at Adventure World which was organised by the Rockingham crew. It was another great turn out with well over 200 people in attendance. Remember guys, you can upload any of your pictures on the Facebook page.
Welcome To The Year 2010!
Happy New Year to all our members, their families and friends in the taekwondo world. This will be a fantastic year for everyone with lots of fun and excitement each month.
First up and the news that everyone is waiting for:
Training at Beechboro resumes on Wednesday 13th January - 6 to 7.30pm (one class only)
Traning at Alexander Heights continues on 14th January - 6 to 7.30pm (one class only)
For other locations, check with your instructors or call Mr Rawlins when you resume. In the meanwhile, catch up with what had happened in December here.
(Note from Webmaster: It does take a while to update the website with the news so if you want up to date information before it gets posted here, check the Facebook page. So much easier and faster to update too! Some photos are also on FB that are not on the website. Remember you can post your own photos there so everyone can see them. Email me if you have any dramas. Like all other teachers, I'm also on holiday so please be patient if I don't get back to you straight away!)
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
From:
Mr Rawlins, all his Instructors and Black Belts of Rawlins Taekwondo we wish you and all your family a
safe and merry Christmas and a happy, joyful and exciting new year.
And to all our friends and students that don't celebrate Christmas, we wish you a safe and happy holiday.
SEE YOU ALL BACK IN 2010
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